Louise Woodward was found guilty of the manslaughter of eight-month-old Matthew Eappen in 1997.
Louise Woodward was released from prison on November 12th, 2019, after serving 17 years for the death of eight-month-old Matthew Eappen. The case had caused a media frenzy in the United States and around the world, but why did Louise Woodward kill Matthew Eappen? And why was she released from prison?
Who is Louise Woodward?
Louise Woodward is a former au pair who spent most of her life in America. She was born in Chelmsford, Essex, England in 1975 to parents Peter and Tracey. In 1993, at age 17, she moved to Boston with her family and then to nearby Wellesley where she began working as an au pair for the Eappens. She had been working for them for only three weeks when their son Matthew died.
What happened to Matthew Eappen?
“In May 1997…8 month old Matthew Eappen suffered a fatal brain injury while under care of his baby sitter (and alleged murderer) Louise Woodward.”
Matthew’s death sparked an international media frenzy that led to Louise being charged with second degree murder.
In February 1997, 8-month old Matthew suffered a fatal brain injury while under care of his baby sitter (and alleged murderer) Louise Woodward. It is believed that he hit his head on the corner of a coffee table after falling out of his bouncy chair. His parents rushed him to hospital where he was pronounced dead. After an autopsy revealed bleeding on his brain consistent with shaken baby syndrome (SBS), police began investigating potential suspects including both members of staff at the daycare centre where he had been attending as well as members of his family.
A criminal investigation into possible SBS abuse began almost immediately after they discovered that there were two other children who had been injured by Ms Woodard while she worked at their daycare centre – one child suffered a broken leg and another suffered multiple bruises on their face.
