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Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie

UPDATE: Laura Sweetman

April 18, 2026 • 1h 44m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

This Crime Junkie episode provides exclusive audio recordings from a 2013 domestic violence incident between Dave and Laura Sweetman. The Sheriff's Office released body cam footage of Laura reporting the incident, an hour-and-twenty-minute recording Laura made of the confrontation with Dave, and audio of Dave's arrest. The recordings reveal a volatile relationship ending, with Dave refusing to let Laura leave, making threats of suicide, and confessing personal information. Laura describes discovering Dave had another family and feeling trapped. The audio raises new questions about Dave's business dealings, tax issues, insurance claims, and connects to his later involvement in Nick Cordova's death.

Laura Reports the Domestic Incident to Deputies

Laura arrives at the Sheriff's Office to report that Dave physically prevented her from leaving their home for over an hour. She explains she discovered Dave has a child with another woman and had planned to leave, moving her belongings while he was away. When she returned to tell him, he grabbed her by the shirt and neck multiple times, threatened to kill himself and her (later retracting the threat to her), and mentioned having guns in the house. Laura appears frightened and tells deputies Dave won't back down and that she fears for her safety.

  • Laura discovered Dave has another family and moved her things out while he was with their kids
  • Dave grabbed Laura by the shirt and shoved her back in the house when she tried to leave
  • Dave grabbed Laura's neck three times when she tried to exit during their argument
  • Dave threatened that neither would get out alive, that he would kill her and himself, then retracted killing her
  • Laura recorded the entire incident knowing this confrontation was coming
  • Dave mentioned having a loaded 9mm gun upstairs during the confrontation
  • Laura tells deputies she believes Dave will follow through on his threats
" I told him I was taking the kids to Walmart really quick, and I just took the kids to a friend's house, and I went back to tell him that I was leaving. "
" I have recorded this because I knew this was going to happen. "
" Do you think he would follow through on any of his threats? Yes. "

The Hour-Long Recording: Dave Refuses to Let Laura Leave

The full audio recording captures Dave physically blocking Laura from leaving, grabbing her repeatedly, and pleading with her to stay. Dave confesses to having a child with another woman, admits to ongoing contact and financial support, and alternates between begging for forgiveness and making threats. Laura remains calm but firm, repeatedly asking to leave while Dave escalates emotionally, crying and blocking her path. The recording reveals a pattern of control, manipulation, and Dave's refusal to accept the relationship is ending.

  • Dave physically blocks Laura at the door, refusing to let her leave the house
  • Dave admits he has a child with another woman but claims he doesn't want another family
  • Dave says 'You want me to shoot myself in the head right now?' as emotional manipulation
  • Laura reveals Dave took items she used nursing their baby and gave them to his mistress
  • Dave threatens 'I will kill myself' and 'I've got a gun upstairs, I'll kill myself'
  • Laura states clearly 'I don't love you anymore, David. I can't.'
  • Dave drags Laura back inside when she tries to leave, prompting her to yell 'Please, David, help! I want to go!'
" You want me to shoot myself in the head right now? "
" I don't love you anymore, David. I can't. "
" Please, David, help! David, David, I want to go! Why are you doing this? "
" I've loved you this entire 20 fucking years, I have loved you and cared about you more than anything. "

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