Murder trial starts in case of missing Caroline County woman

BOWLING GREEN — Fourteen years ago, Lisa Gaudenzi disappeared. Now her husband is on trial in Caroline County on a charge of murdering her.

Circuit Court jurors were set to hear evidence today in the trial of 45-year-old Lawrence Peter Gaudenzi, who prosecutors contend killed his wife then destroyed her body.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Tony Spencer told jurors that even though Lisa Gaudenzi’s body was never found, circumstantial evidence points to her husband.

He said one witness will testify that Gaudenzi cut up his wife’s body and dumped it in a swamp in Surry County.

Defense attorney Kathy Hancock countered that there’s no proof Lisa Gaudenzi ever died.