Victim faces ‘long’ road to recovery

Nicole Blanchard’s family is optimistic about her long-term recovery, one week after her husband allegedly shot her in the mouth and killed himself, according to a statement the family released last Wednesday.

“First, while the road to recovery is going to be very long, Nicole is encouraged at the prognosis presented to her by her doctors,” reads the statement, which the family said will be the only one of its kind. “Nicole is a survivor, strong and getting stronger every day thanks to the prayers, love and support shown to her thus far.

“While she cannot communicate vocally at this point, she has written notes, worried about the well-being of her members and the dedicated employees of Body Elite, [a three-gym bodybuilding company the couple owned].”

Authorities with the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office said they were dispatched to 102 Woodburn St. Wednesday morning, Jan. 12, after Nicole communicated through text message and keypad tone response that her husband, Larry Blanchard, had shot her.

When they arrived on the scene, the Terrebonne Parish SWAT team entered the couple’s home and found both Nicole, on the bed and bleeding from the mouth, and Larry, on the ground and already dead, in the bedroom, Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois said.

The statement acknowledged that the couple was having problems, but did not elaborate further.

“Nicole loved Larry deeply and was a dedicated wife and business partner during their 10 year long relationship,” it reads. “However, as already indicated, there were deep seated issues that had deeply impacted the couple’s relationship. No one, especially Nicole, anticipated those issues would lead to the tragic circumstances of January 12th.”

Nicole’s family also thanked the local businesses that have helped Body Elite, and said Body Elite East reopened last Wednesday. Body Elite Boxing and MMA Gym, which is also in east Houma, has also reopened and will operate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The statement gave no indication as to when Body Elite West, located near the residence, will reopen.

“Nicole never dreamed she would join the statistics of women victimized by their husbands,” the statement reads. “She is grateful she was not one of the women killed each year by their intimate partner and she encourages women who believe they are in abusive relationships to seek counseling and help from friends, family or law enforcement.”