Theory #3: Robert Loren Johnson #joycelepage #crimejunkies #truecrimestories | Forensic Files

Every piece of evidence in Joyce Lapage's murder points somewhere different. After 55 years, there are
seven theories. This is theory number three, Robert Lauren Johnson. Long before investigators had suspects, they
had a missing carpet. Because remember, the first indication that something was wrong wasn't that Joyce disappeared, it
was that someone had cut out this 5 by 5 foot section of green carpet from Stephen's Hall where Joyce was secretly
staying. Months later, Joyce's body would be found wrapped inside that very carpet. So naturally, investigators
started asking who had access to Stephen's Hall that night. One name immediately surfaced, Robert Lauren
Johnson. Robert was a contractor laying tile in Arts Hall, which is like a building like 100 200 yards away from
Stephen's Hall. And according to Robert, he worked late into the night of July 22nd, really late. He said that he
stayed until around 2:30 in the morning, then slept on the floor before going back to work a few hours later. Now we
know that Joyce had been secretly sleeping inside Stephen's Hall for weeks. We also know that she'd written
about a contract worker accidentally discovering her one morning while she was sleeping, but she never identified
who that worker was. Could it have been Robert? Or could another worker have told Robert that there was a young woman
secretly living inside the empty dorm? Because investigators also uncovered a rumor floating around campus. People
claimed that one of the construction workers had been messing around with a girl staying in Stephen's Hall. But no
one could ever figure out where that rumor started or who it was actually about. Now when police interviewed
Robert, he denied knowing anything about Joyce's disappearance. He admitted he was working nearby and spending the
night on campus, and even acknowledged seeing other contractors stop by after midnight. But he insisted nothing
unusual happened. He also agreed to take a polygraph test. And according to investigators, he actually passed.
Unlike some other theories in this case, there wasn't much else tie Robert to Joyce. There was no known relationship,
no obvious motive, no criminal history that raised red flags. Robert died a few years after Joyce
disappeared. Which leaves investigators with one lingering question. Was Robert Lauren Johnson simply an unlucky
contractor who happened to be working nearby, or could there be more to his story?

Theory #3 of 7

Before investigators had a suspect, they had a missing carpet. That clue led detectives to Robert Loren Johnson, a contractor working just yards from Stevens Hall the night Joyce LePage disappeared.

He had access, opportunity, and was questioned extensively—but after decades, investigators still can't say whether he was simply nearby or knew more than he admitted.

Watch the full investigation on @CrimeJunkie and tagged below. -------- Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers.

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About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of Audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families.

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Brief Summary

The episode examines Robert Lauren Johnson's possible connection to Joyce Lapage's murder 55 years later.

Key points

The Mysterious Disappearance of Joyce. Joyce's case reveals a web of theories and suspects, including contractor Robert Lauren Johnson.

Episode quotes

Was Robert Lauren Johnson simply an unlucky contractor?

2:10WatchJul 29, 2026

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