The Stalking Of Laurie Show: 5 Chilling Facts And The Current Status Of Her Killers
The Stalking of Laurie Show is a true crime tragedy that, even decades later, continues to shock the public and serve as a grim landmark in the history of anti-stalking legislation. As of December 19, 2025, public interest remains high, fueled by the 2000 made-for-TV movie and recent true-crime documentaries that revisit the horrific events of 1991. The case of 16-year-old Laurie Show, who was systematically terrorized and ultimately murdered by jealous classmates, is a harrowing account of teenage rivalry spiraling into deadly obsession.
This article provides an in-depth look at the true story, the key figures involved, the legislative legacy that emerged from the tragedy, and the crucial, up-to-date information regarding the status of the convicted perpetrators, Lisa Michelle Lambert and Tabitha Buck.
The Victims and The Perpetrators: A Full Profile
The murder of Laurie Show involved a small but volatile group of teenagers whose actions would forever change the legal landscape of Pennsylvania. Understanding their profiles is essential to grasping the full scope of the tragedy.
- Laurie Show (Victim)
- Born: Circa 1975
- Age at Death: 16
- High School: Sophomore at Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
- Circumstance: A new girl in school who was sexually assaulted by Lisa Michelle Lambert's boyfriend, Lawrence "Butch" Yunkin. She was then targeted in a jealousy-fueled campaign of stalking and harassment by Lambert and her friends.
- Date of Death: December 20, 1991.
- Hazel Show (Advocate)
- Relation: Laurie Show's mother.
- Legacy: Became a tireless and leading advocate for anti-stalking legislation in Pennsylvania following her daughter's murder, playing a direct role in the state's eventual enactment of its first anti-stalking law.
- Lisa Michelle Lambert (Main Perpetrator)
- Age at Crime: 19
- Role: The ringleader who orchestrated the stalking and murder plot out of jealousy and a desire for revenge, believing Laurie was to blame for the sexual assault incident involving her boyfriend.
- Conviction: Convicted of murder.
- Current Status: As of the latest reports, Lambert is serving a life sentence and has continued to contest her conviction. While some older reports mentioned a potential for parole following a re-sentencing, more current information indicates she is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
- Tabitha Buck (Co-Conspirator)
- Age at Crime: 17
- Role: Assisted Lambert in the harassment and murder of Laurie Show.
- Conviction: Convicted of second-degree murder.
- Current Status: Buck was released on parole in 2020. A condition of her release is that she is prohibited from living or traveling to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the site of the crime.
- Lawrence "Butch" Yunkin (Co-Conspirator)
- Role: Lisa Michelle Lambert's boyfriend, who sexually assaulted Laurie Show, which was the catalyst for the entire stalking campaign.
- Conviction: Initially received a short prison sentence (one year) for his role in the events.
The Jealousy-Fueled Campaign of Terror
The campaign against Laurie Show was relentless and spanned months, beginning after a traumatic incident that set the tragic events in motion. Laurie had moved to the East Lampeter Township area and was adjusting to her new life when she encountered Lawrence "Butch" Yunkin.
The true horror began after Yunkin sexually assaulted Laurie. When his girlfriend, Lisa Michelle Lambert, discovered the assault, she shockingly blamed Laurie. This intense, misplaced jealousy became the driving force behind a systematic terror campaign.
Lambert, along with Tabitha Buck and other friends, began a pattern of escalating harassment. This included repeated, threatening phone calls to the condo where Laurie lived with her mother, and harassment at her workplace. The constant threats and intimidation were designed to make Laurie's life a living nightmare.
The stalking culminated on December 20, 1991, when Lambert, Buck, and another individual broke into Laurie’s home. The confrontation ended with Laurie being stabbed to death in her own bedroom, a brutal end to a campaign of terror that authorities later described as a murder motivated by jealousy and revenge.
The Stalking of Laurie Show: Movie vs. True Story
The tragic events were dramatically retold in the 2000 made-for-TV movie, *The Stalking of Laurie Show*, which is also known by the alternative title, *Rivals*. The film, which starred Marnette Patterson and Jennifer Finnigan, brought the case to a national audience, but not without controversy.
While the movie captured the essence of the jealousy and the relentless harassment, it was criticized for taking significant creative liberties. A disclaimer at the end of the film even noted that "Some characters and details have been altered for this film." Critics argued that the dramatization distorted the true story and failed to fully represent the injustice Laurie endured.
Despite the inaccuracies, the movie and subsequent true-crime documentaries, such as those on *Deadly Women*, have kept the conversation around Laurie Show’s murder and the dangers of stalking active in the public consciousness.
The Enduring Legislative Legacy: Anti-Stalking Law
Perhaps the most significant and lasting outcome of Laurie Show’s murder is the legislative change it spurred. Before 1991, the legal framework for dealing with stalking was weak or non-existent in many states, including Pennsylvania.
Laurie’s mother, Hazel Show, channeled her grief into fierce activism. She became a prominent voice, relentlessly advocating for stronger protections for victims of stalking. Her efforts were instrumental in pushing the state of Pennsylvania to enact its first anti-stalking legislation.
This new law provided law enforcement and the courts with the necessary tools to intervene in cases of persistent, unwanted, and threatening behavior before they could escalate into violence. The Pennsylvania anti-stalking law stands as a vital part of Laurie Show's legacy, ensuring that her death was not entirely in vain and offering a measure of protection to countless future victims.
Current Status of The Convicted Killers: Updates and Controversy
The legal journey for the convicted killers has been complex, especially in recent years, making their current status a frequent point of inquiry in true-crime discussions.
Tabitha Buck’s Parole: The most definitive recent update is the release of Tabitha Buck. Having been convicted of second-degree murder, she was released on parole in 2020. Her release came with strict conditions, including the ban on entering Lancaster County, a measure designed to protect the community and honor the victim's family.
Lisa Michelle Lambert’s Life Sentence: Lisa Michelle Lambert's case has been more legally convoluted. While a 2017 re-sentencing offered a glimmer of hope for parole eligibility, she continues to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Lambert has consistently contested her conviction, maintaining her innocence, a stance that has kept her case in the media spotlight and a subject of ongoing debate within the true-crime community.
The fact that one perpetrator is free on parole while the other remains incarcerated highlights the complex nature of the justice system in handling accomplice cases, particularly those involving juvenile offenders like Buck at the time of the crime. The lasting impact of the case remains a testament to the devastating consequences of jealousy, bullying, and unchecked obsession.
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