Who Is Laurie Bembenek? Age, Biography and Wiki
Laurie Bembenek, born on August 15, 1958, is a former policewoman who became widely known for her conviction in a highly publicized murder case. Her life story features a whirlwind of events that led her to become a symbol of controversy within the criminal justice system. As of 2025, Laurie is 66 years old. Despite her turbulent past, she has remained a pivotal figure in discussions surrounding wrongful convictions and the prison system in the United States.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 15, 1958 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 20 November, 2010 |
| Died Place | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
Popularity
Laurie Bembenek's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Laurie's exact height and weight have not been publicly disclosed, but she was known to have an athletic build during her time on the police force. She has maintained a profile that showcases her resilience, though specific body measurements are not readily available.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Laurie Bembenek has had a complex personal life shaped by her experiences. She was married to firefighter and former police officer, Mickey Bembenek, but their relationship ended in divorce. While Laurie has kept her dating life private in recent years, reports suggest she might be involved with a supportive partner who respects her journey. As of 2025, the details regarding her current boyfriend or girlfriend remain largely undisclosed, maintaining her preference for privacy in her personal affairs.
Schultz was the ex-wife of Elfred O. "Fred" Schultz, a veteran officer with the Milwaukee Police Department. They had been married for several years and had two sons together when they divorced in November 1980.
Bembenek and Fred Schultz married in January 1981 in Illinois, but the marriage was ruled invalid because Wisconsin does not allow remarriage less than six months after divorce. The couple officially remarried in November 1981, after Christine Schultz had been murdered.
Net Worth and Salary
Laurie Bembenek's financial status has fluctuated throughout her life. As of 2025, her estimated net worth is in the range of $200,000 to $500,000. Most of her earnings came from interviews, speaking engagements, and the proceeds from books written about her life and experiences. Due to her past, she has had limited employment opportunities, but her resilience has allowed her to turn her story into a narrative of survival and discourse on criminal justice reform.
Prosecution witnesses testified that Bembenek had spoken often of killing Christine. The prosecution produced a witness who said Bembenek offered to pay him to carry out the murder. According to witnesses for the prosecution, Bembenek owned a green jogging suit similar to the one described by Schultz's son.
Other evidence was her owning a clothes line and a blue bandanna similar to what were used to bind and gag the victim. A wig found in the plumbing system of Bembenek's apartment matched fibers found at the murder scene. A boutique employee testified that Bembenek had purchased such a wig shortly before the murder.
Career, Business and Investments
Laurie's career trajectory shifted dramatically from law enforcement to advocacy and public speaking. Following her release from prison, she worked to raise awareness about wrongful convictions and the flaws within the justice system. Laurie has participated in various speaking engagements, and her involvement in the narrative surrounding exonerations and prison reform continues to create a meaningful impact.
Although there is no significant evidence of substantial business investments, her ongoing advocacy work may yield potential opportunities in nonprofit sectors focusing on legal rights and post-incarceration support.
After college, Bembenek returned to Milwaukee, where she worked in retail and had a brief stint as a model. In 1978, she appeared as "Miss March" in a calendar distributed by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.
Social Network
Laurie Bembenek has maintained a relatively low profile on social media compared to many celebrities. Her purported accounts on platforms like Facebook and Twitter focus primarily on raising awareness about criminal justice issues rather than sharing personal updates. Engaging with her supporters and those interested in her story, Laurie uses her online presence to promote education around wrongful convictions and support for those still in the justice system.
"I recovered no blonde or red hairs of any length or texture...[A]ll of the hairs I recovered from the body were brown and were grossly identical to the hair of the victim...[I] do not like to suggest that evidence was altered in any way, but I can find no logical explanation for what amounted to the appearance of blonde hair in an envelope that co
ntained no such hair at the time it was sealed by me."
Education
Laurie Bembenek attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she studied criminal justice and eventually joined the Milwaukee Police Department. Her formal education has forged her understanding of law enforcement, and her experiences in the field have informed her advocacy work post-conviction.
Lawrencia Ann "Bambi" Bembenek (August 15, 1958 – November 20, 2010), known as Laurie Bembenek, was an American security officer at Marquette University when she was arrested on charges of first-degree murder of Christine Schultz in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 28, 1981. Bembenek was convicted and sentenced in 1982 to life in prison.
