The Guy Family Thanksgiving Massacre: Parents Dismembered by Son | True Crime Case
The Guy family tragedy stands as one of the most horrific cases of familial violence in recent memory. Michael "Joel" Guy Sr. and his wife Lisa embodied the essence of loving, supportive parents. Michael, born in 1955, built a successful career as a pipeline engineer, while Lisa worked in human resources at an engineering firm. Together, they created a blended family that, to outside observers, appeared harmonious and stable. Michael's daughters from his previous marriage adored Lisa, with one even modeling her engagement ring after her stepmother's.
Their son, Joel Guy Jr., presented a stark contrast to his parents' warm nature. Despite receiving full financial support from his parents well into adulthood, he remained distant and aloof. At 28, he had never held a job, instead living off his mother's income while supposedly pursuing medical studies. When Michael lost his job in 2016 and the couple made plans to retire, they faced the difficult task of cutting off Joel's funding. This decision, made necessary by financial realities, would set in motion events that would lead to unimaginable horror during what should have been a peaceful Thanksgiving gathering.
Key Takeaways
Michael and Lisa Guy were loving, generous parents who fully supported their son Joel Jr. financially into his late twenties.
The family dynamic shifted dramatically when financial constraints forced the parents to plan for retirement and end Joel's financial support.
Joel Guy Jr.'s sense of entitlement and detachment from his family created a dangerous situation that culminated during a Thanksgiving gathering.
The Guy Family Tragedy
Michael Guy Sr., known as Michael to friends and family, worked as a successful pipeline engineer. Born on February 10, 1955, he earned enough to comfortably support his family. Those who knew him described him as exceptionally kind and caring, always ready to offer help or guidance.
After his first marriage ended, Michael maintained good relationships with his three daughters. When he remarried Lisa, they quickly accepted her as a maternal figure. Lisa worked in human resources at an engineering firm and matched Michael's generous nature. Together, they created what appeared to be an ideal family environment.
One of Michael's daughters later testified about Lisa's impact on her life: "I wanted to be the mom she was." Lisa's warmth and attention to detail—from keeping fully stocked cabinets to preparing complete family dinners—made such an impression that her stepdaughter even chose an engagement ring resembling Lisa's.
The family dynamic shifted after Michael and Lisa had their biological son, Joel Guy Jr. Unlike his warm parents, Joel developed into a cold, distant person. Even his half-sisters admitted they barely knew him despite growing up together. During family visits, Joel typically isolated himself in his room, rarely interacting with relatives.
Joel's behavior stemmed from an inflated sense of superiority. His academic success, particularly his acceptance into the prestigious Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, reinforced this belief. After high school, he briefly attended George Washington University before transferring to Louisiana State University to study toward becoming a plastic surgeon.
Despite being 28 years old, Joel never held a job. Lisa directly forwarded her paychecks to support his education and living expenses. His parents covered his tuition, housing, and other costs, hoping this would help him complete his studies quickly.
Instead of appreciating this support, Joel came to view it as an entitlement. While claiming to focus on his education in Baton Rouge, he actually showed little commitment to his studies, remaining oblivious to his parents' financial sacrifices.
In 2016, circumstances changed when Michael lost his job. After reviewing their finances, the couple realized they could retire if they stopped supporting Joel and sold their home. They planned to move into Michael's parents' house and shared these plans with their daughters through the family group chat.
Though nervous about Joel's potential reaction to losing financial support, the family gathered for Thanksgiving in 2016, which initially seemed positive. Little did they know what would follow.
Life and Legacy of Michael 'Joel' Guy Sr.
Michael Guy Sr., known as Michael to friends and family, was born on February 10, 1955. He built a successful career as a pipeline engineer, earning a comfortable salary that allowed him to provide well for his family. Those who knew Michael described him as exceptionally kind and attentive, always making others feel valued and cared for.
Michael was a proud father to three daughters from his first marriage. Despite his divorce, he maintained strong relationships with his daughters, who held no resentment toward him. His generous nature extended beyond his immediate family as he was always ready to offer help or advice to those around him.
After his first marriage ended, Michael found love again with Lisa, who worked in human resources at an engineering firm. Their relationship blossomed into a loving partnership characterized by mutual respect and devotion. Lisa quickly formed strong bonds with Michael's daughters, becoming a maternal figure they deeply admired and respected.
Together, Michael and Lisa had one biological child, Joel Guy Jr. As parents, they were extraordinarily supportive, financing Joel's education and living expenses well into his adulthood. Their financial generosity allowed Joel to attend prestigious educational institutions, including the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, followed by brief enrollment at George Washington University before transferring to Louisiana State University.
In 2016, Michael lost his job, prompting him to reassess the family's financial situation. He realized that retirement was possible if they sold their home and discontinued their financial support of Joel, who was 28 years old at the time. Though apprehensive about Joel's reaction to this news, Michael and Lisa planned to move into Michael's parents' home to begin their retirement.
Michael's life embodied generosity, dedication to family, and hard work. His relationships with his daughters demonstrated his capacity for maintaining loving connections despite life's challenges. His commitment to supporting his son's education reflected his belief in the importance of investing in his children's futures.
Unfortunately, Michael's story would take a devastating turn that shocked those who knew this kind-hearted man and his equally generous wife.
Lisa Guy: A Stepmother's Love
Lisa Guy embodied the essence of maternal warmth and devotion, not only to her biological child but also to her stepchildren. As Michael Guy's second wife, she created a welcoming environment that quickly endeared her to his three daughters from his previous marriage.
Working in human resources at an engineering firm, Lisa balanced her professional responsibilities with her commitment to family life. The home she created was a stark contrast to what the children experienced elsewhere—cabinets stocked with food, prepared meals featuring meat and side dishes, and treats that made visits special.
Her impact on her stepdaughters was profound. One stepdaughter testified how Lisa had been present throughout her entire life, becoming such an influential figure that she even chose an engagement ring resembling Lisa's. This same stepdaughter admired everything about Lisa, from her brown Sperry shirt to her distinctive high-arched feet and the way she used her favorite cup.
Lisa's generosity extended beyond emotional support. She and Michael financially supported their son Joel Guy Jr. well into his adulthood, with Lisa sending her paychecks directly to him while he attended university. This arrangement allowed Joel to focus on his studies without financial worries.
Despite Joel's increasingly distant behavior—often locking himself in his room during family visits and treating relatives dismissively—Lisa continued to support him. Her unwavering dedication persisted even as Joel, at age 28, had yet to achieve financial independence or complete his education.
The couple's financial situation changed in 2016 when Michael lost his job. After reviewing their finances, they realized retirement was possible if they sold their family home and ended their financial support of Joel. Though apprehensive about Joel's reaction to this news, they shared their retirement plans with the family, hoping for a positive response.
Joel Guy Jr.'s Troubled Background
Joel Guy Jr. exhibited a stark contrast to his warm and loving parents. While Michael (originally named Joel Sr.) and Lisa Guy were known for their kindness and generosity, their son grew to be cold and distant. During family visits, Joel would isolate himself in his room, avoiding interaction with his half-sisters and other relatives.
His personality was marked by an inflated sense of superiority. Joel believed he was intellectually superior to everyone around him, a perception strengthened by his acceptance into the prestigious Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. After graduating from this elite institution, he briefly attended George Washington University before transferring to Louisiana State University.
Despite his academic pursuits, Joel never completed his degree or held employment. Until age 28, he lived entirely off his mother's income. Lisa, who worked in human resources at an engineering firm, directed her paychecks to support Joel's education and living expenses.
This financial arrangement created a profound sense of entitlement in Joel. Rather than viewing his parents' support as a temporary gift, he came to see it as his rightful due. While claiming to be focused on becoming a plastic surgeon, Joel appeared to spend little time on his studies and more time enjoying his freedom in Baton Rouge.
The family dynamic began to shift dramatically in 2016 when Michael lost his job. After reviewing their finances, Michael and Lisa realized they could retire if they stopped supporting Joel and sold their family home. They shared these plans with Joel's half-sisters through their family group chat but were anxious about Joel's potential reaction to losing his financial support.
This pending change created significant tension. At 28 years old, Joel had never been financially independent, and his parents worried about how he would respond to this new reality. Despite their concerns, the family gathered for what seemed like a normal Thanksgiving celebration that year.
Financial Strain and A Foreseeable End
By 2016, the Guy family's financial situation had reached a critical point. Michael Guy, who had worked successfully as a pipeline engineer, lost his job that year. This loss prompted a serious evaluation of the family's finances. After careful consideration, Michael and Lisa realized they could comfortably retire if they made two significant changes: selling their family home and discontinuing their financial support of their son, Joel Guy Jr.
For years, Lisa had been sending her paychecks directly to Joel, who at 28 years old, had never held a job. The couple had generously funded his education, housing, and living expenses while he attended Louisiana State University, supposedly pursuing studies to become a plastic surgeon. They believed this financial support would allow him to focus exclusively on his education.
Unfortunately, their generosity had unexpected consequences. Joel began viewing this financial support not as a privilege but as an entitlement. While living alone in Baton Rouge, he showed little appreciation for his parents' sacrifices and spent minimal time on his studies despite claiming otherwise.
Michael and Lisa shared their retirement plans with their daughters through a family group chat. They explained their intention to move into Michael's parents' home and end Joel's financial support. Despite their excitement about this new chapter in their lives, they expressed significant anxiety about how Joel would react to the news.
The couple had genuine cause for concern. Joel had never been financially independent, and they worried about his response to this dramatic change in circumstances. Despite these worries, the approaching Thanksgiving holiday in 2016 initially seemed to offer a glimmer of hope for a positive transition.
The financial strain of supporting their adult son had finally reached its breaking point. Michael and Lisa's decision to prioritize their retirement needs marked what should have been a natural progression in their family's life cycle. Instead, it would become the catalyst for unimaginable events that no one could have foreseen.
The Gruesome Discovery
Law enforcement officers encountered a horrific scene during a welfare check at the Guy family home. Blood covered the surroundings, dismembered limbs were scattered about, a head boiled in a pot, and the entire residence was soaked in blood. These disturbing findings marked one of the most brutal cases of parental murder in recorded history.
Joel Guy Sr. (known to friends and family as Michael) was born February 10, 1955, and worked as a pipeline engineer earning a comfortable salary. Those close to Michael described him as exceptionally kind and supportive, someone who genuinely cared for others and took pride in both his professional and family life.
Michael's second wife, Lisa, shared his generous nature. She worked in human resources at an engineering firm and was known for her reliability and compassion. Lisa developed strong bonds with Michael's three daughters from his previous marriage, becoming a beloved mother figure to them.
The couple's seemingly perfect life began to shift after they welcomed their only biological child together, Joel Guy Jr. Unlike his warm-hearted parents, Joel was described as cold and distant. He often isolated himself, locking himself in his room during family visits and treating relatives dismissively when interaction was unavoidable.
Joel attended the prestigious Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts, which reinforced his already inflated ego. After high school, he briefly attended George Washington University before transferring to Louisiana State University to study plastic surgery. Despite his academic pursuits, Joel never held a job, living entirely off his mother's income until age 28.
Michael and Lisa fully supported Joel financially, paying for his tuition, housing, and living expenses. Rather than viewing this as generous support, Joel came to see it as his entitlement. Meanwhile, he was less focused on his studies than he led his parents to believe.
In 2016, the family dynamic changed dramatically when Michael lost his job. After reviewing their finances, the couple realized they could retire if they stopped supporting Joel and sold their home. They shared these plans with their daughters but were nervous about Joel's reaction, as he had never been financially independent.
Note: This case contains extremely graphic details that may be disturbing to some readers.
The Aftermath of A Horrific Crime
The police welfare check at the Guy family residence revealed a scene of unimaginable horror. Blood-soaked walls, dismembered body parts, and a head boiling in a pot confronted the officers as they entered the home. This gruesome discovery would mark the beginning of one of the most disturbing cases of parental murder in recent history.
Michael Guy, born February 10, 1955, worked as a pipeline engineer earning a comfortable salary to support his family. Those who knew him described him as exceptionally kind and attentive, always willing to help others. He took great pride in his work and family relationships, maintaining good connections with his three daughters from his first marriage.
His second wife, Lisa, matched his generous nature. She worked in human resources at an engineering firm and was known for her compassion and reliability. Michael's daughters adored Lisa, with one stepdaughter later testifying that she even chose an engagement ring resembling Lisa's because she so admired her stepmother's nurturing character.
The couple's only biological child together, Joel Guy Jr., presented a stark contrast to his warm-hearted parents. Described as cold and distant, he typically isolated himself from family members. During visits, he would lock himself in his room, avoiding interaction. When he did engage, his manner was often dismissive and rude.
Joel's academic journey took him from a prestigious magnet high school to George Washington University for one semester, then to Louisiana State University where he pursued studies in plastic surgery. Despite his academic potential, Joel never held employment. His parents fully funded his education, housing, and expenses until he was 28 years old.
This financial support arrangement created a sense of entitlement in Joel. He viewed the money not as assistance but as something he deserved simply by being their son. Living alone in Baton Rouge, he remained oblivious to the financial strain he placed on his family.
The situation changed dramatically in 2016 when Michael lost his job. After reviewing their finances, the couple realized they could retire if they stopped supporting Joel and sold their family home. They shared these plans with their daughters through a family group chat, expressing nervousness about Joel's potential reaction to losing financial support.
Though anxious about the conversation ahead, the family gathered for what seemed to be a normal Thanksgiving celebration. No one could have predicted the horrific events that would follow this seemingly ordinary family gathering.
