Contents
Introduction
Lawrencia Ann “Bambi” Bembenek, a name that resonated with many, was an American former police officer convicted for the 1981 murder of her husband’s ex-wife. Her story garnered national attention in 1990 after she escaped from Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Wisconsin and was recaptured in Thunder Bay, Ontario. This episode inspired books, movies, and the slogan “Run, Bambi, Run”. Despite her efforts to clear her name, Bembenek died on November 20, 2010, at the age of 52. The cause of her death, according to multiple sources, was liver failure.
Early Life and Career
Born on August 15, 1958, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bembenek was the youngest of three girls. Her father, Joseph, had previously worked for the Milwaukee Police Department but quit after witnessing what he described as corruption within the department. Bembenek attended St. Augustine’s Elementary School and St. Mary’s Academy in Milwaukee. She later transferred to Bay View High School, where she graduated in 1976. After college, Bembenek worked in retail and had a brief stint as a model. In 1978, she appeared as “Miss March” in a calendar distributed by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. In March 1980, Bembenek began training at the Milwaukee Police Academy.
Conviction and Escape
Bembenek was convicted in 1982 of fatally shooting her husband’s ex-wife, Christine Schultz, after allegedly complaining about the alimony he had to pay. Bembenek was sentenced to life in prison but maintained her innocence. In 1990, she escaped Taycheedah Correctional Institution in Fond du Lac and fled to Canada with then-fiance Dominic Gugliatto, the brother of another inmate. Bembenek and Gugliatto were captured in Thunder Bay, Ontario, about three months later after the case was publicized on “America’s Most Wanted.”
Bambi Bembenek Cause of Death
Bembenek died on November 20, 2010, at a hospice care center in Portland, Oregon. The cause of her death was liver failure. Health problems that included hepatitis C and liver and kidney failure shortened her life. Despite her death, Bembenek’s family and her attorney continued to seek a pardon and clear her name.
Conclusion
The life of Bambi Bembenek was filled with controversy and intrigue. From her conviction and escape to her efforts to clear her name, her story continues to captivate audiences. Despite her untimely death due to liver failure, the legacy of Bambi Bembenek lives on, a testament to her enduring spirit and the quest for truth.
