Mom of 3 Was Tortured and Left Brain Dead in a Filthy Bed — Then Died 8 Months Later. Is a Murder Charge Next?

A Michigan mother found brain dead in a filthy bed has passed away eight months after being found alive by police.

Kelley Lalonde, 35, was found bruised and beaten, lying in her own urine in a bed at the home of Jonathan Zieroff on Sept. 12, 2024, according to a copy of a criminal complaint filed in Saginaw District Court and obtained by PEOPLE.

In addition to the bruising and cuts on her body, Lalaonde also suffered internal injuries, which included bleeding in her brain, the complaint said.

Exactly eight months later, Lalonde was declared brain dead, according to the complaint, and on May 26 she passed away.

Now the man accused of torturing her could be facing a murder charge.

Carrollton Township Police arrested Zieroff, 30, last September and he was subsequently indicted in Saginaw County Circuit Court on charges of assault with intent to cause great bodily harm and domestic violence in the second degree, according to court records.

Jail records show that Zieroff’s bail was set at $50,000, which he did not post, so he has remained in the custody of the Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office ever since his arrest.

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However, the case against him was dropped in circuit court just days before Lalonde’s death, with a nolle prosequi — a formal decision by prosecutors to stop pursuing charges — entered on his behalf. The court docket noted that the request was granted and the case was dismissed “in the best interest of justice.”

At the same time, a new case was filed against him in Saginaw County District Court charging him with torture on May 13.

Zieroff could soon be facing an additional charge of murder pending the results of Lalonde’s autopsy.

The sister of Lalonde announced her death in a GoFundMe post seeking donations to help with the cost of her funeral services.

“Kelley received her angel wings and is now watching over all of us at this difficult time,” April Reed wrote.

That post notes that her three children — ages 14, 11 and 3 — were asking for help.

Kelly was described as “a loving mother to her three children” whose “family was her pride and joy,” in her obituary.

It went on to say: “Her legacy will continue to shine through the lives she touched and the love she gave so freely.”