OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – A convicted triple murderer serving five life sentences in Oklahoma is once again in the spotlight after gruesome new allegations from the daughter of one of his victims.
She claims the killer, Lawrence Paul Anderson, has been bragging about his crimes on Facebook, even using disturbing references to the horrific details of her mother’s death.
Anderson, now 46, is serving life in prison without parole at the Dick Conner Correctional Center. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to the brutal murders of Andrea Blankenship, 41, Leon Pye, 67 (his own uncle), and Kaeos Yates, 4 (his niece). He also attacked his aunt, Delsie Pye, 66, and gouged out one of her eyes.
But the pain for the victims’ families, especially Andrea Blankenship’s daughter Haylee, hasn’t ended with his imprisonment.
“Heart Eater” Allegations Surface on Facebook
In an emotional interview with KWTV News 9, Haylee Blankenship said she recently discovered photos and videos showing Anderson seemingly celebrating in prison, including a birthday cake party with other inmates. The content appeared on a Facebook account under the name “Tony Hayes.”
Even more disturbing, she said, were messages from the account that referenced her mother’s murder, using the chilling nickname “the heart eater.”
“Could you imagine being a victim of your mom getting dismembered and murdered?” Haylee said. “And then her murderer is literally on Facebook smiling and laughing and having a party?”
One message, reportedly sent to a family member, read:
“The heart eater and I want to deliver a message to your boyfriend… I can get my lil folks to gut him like a [redacted] hog.”
Haylee believes the messages are not only disturbing but retraumatizing, and she fears for her safety and mental well-being.
“He’s bragging about being a heart eater,” she told KWTV. “It obviously makes me feel terrible, retraumatized, and miserable.”
The Gruesome 2021 Crime That Shocked Oklahoma
The original case made headlines across the country. Anderson broke into Andrea Blankenship’s home, murdered her, and cut out her heart. He later told police that he cooked it with potatoes in an attempt to “feed it to his family to release the demons.”
He then went to his relatives’ home and attacked four family members, resulting in the death of Leon Pye and 4-year-old Kaeos Yates. Only Delsie Pye survived the attack.
Anderson later pleaded guilty to multiple counts of first-degree murder, assault, and maiming, receiving five life sentences with the possibility of parole, though parole is highly unlikely due to the severity of his crimes.
Inmate Phone Use Under Scrutiny
In Oklahoma, inmates are not permitted to use social media or possess cell phones. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) confirmed to KWTV that they are actively investigating the matter.
“ODOC does not tolerate criminal behavior within our facilities,” the agency said. “Our inmates are not allowed to use cell phones and social media. We take swift action and hold them accountable for their actions when we learn of such behavior.”
It’s unclear how Anderson, or someone acting on his behalf, was able to gain access to Facebook or send the alleged messages. The department has not yet confirmed whether disciplinary action has been taken.
A Family Still Searching for Peace
For Haylee Blankenship, the ordeal is far from over. While Anderson is locked away for life, his apparent activity online has reopened old wounds and renewed fears.
“You’d think with him being behind bars, I wouldn’t have to keep hearing about him, but here he is — again — in my life, like a shadow that won’t go away,” she said.
She’s now calling for stricter enforcement of prison phone and internet policies, hoping no other family has to experience the trauma hers has endured.