PONTIAC, Mich. – The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is joining with the Michigan Attorney General and the family of the late Deborah Humenny Moran to file a petition to block the parole of Deborah’s estranged husband and killer, Leslie Moran.
On September 20, 1976, after making public threats against her, Leslie Moran purchased two guns and lured Deborah Humenny Moran, who was 22 at the time, to his home with a false story about needing a ride to the airport. He then shot her multiple times in both the head and chest.
Leslie Moran was found guilty of Second Degree Murder in Oakland County Circuit Court in April 1977. He was sentenced to life in prison. Moran’s parole was previously denied in 2010, 2017, and 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer denied his commutation request on November 30, 2025. On April 13, 2026, the Parole Board granted parole to Leslie Moran.
“While Deborah Humenny Moran cannot speak for herself at the parole board, her family continues to advocate for her memory,” said Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald. “Her killer has never shown remorse or taken responsibility for his crime. We cannot allow him to escape accountability, even a half-century later.”
The joint motion to stay Leslie Moran’s parole was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court last week. On May 20, the Sixth Circuit Court granted a stay of parole until it can rule on the petition.
“Granting parole to an individual who refuses to accept responsibility, blames his victim, and continues to present a threat to public safety is unacceptable and a clear abuse of discretion by the Parole Board,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “My office is committed to working alongside the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and Deborah’s family to ensure this convicted murderer remains behind bars and justice is upheld.”
The joint motion argues substantial and compelling reasons existed for the Parole Board to depart from the parole guidelines in this case, where prisoner Moran has not shown true remorse, has not accepted full responsibility, continues to blame the victim for his actions, and has been less than forthright with the Board. Moreover, the Parole Board clearly abused its discretion in choosing not to depart from the parole guidelines for these substantial and compelling reasons.
“For nearly fifty years, Inmate Moran has refused to accept responsibility, instead blaming Debby, the psychologist, the courts, and anyone else he can while changing his story again and again,” said Sandra Humenny, Deborah’s sister. “Michigan’s leaders have long recognized the danger he poses. Since 1977, six Governors have denied every commutation request he has filed. In November 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer denied his latest request — following the Parole Board’s own recommendation of denial.”
At present, Leslie Moran is incarcerated at the Egeler Reception and Guidance Center. He is 85 years old and was sentenced on May 12, 1977.
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FULL STATEMENT FROM SANDRA HUMENNY, SISTER OF DEBORAH MORAN
I am urging the Michigan Parole Board to immediately reverse its decision to grant parole to Inmate Leslie G. Moran #149819 — the man who murdered his own wife, my sister Deborah Humenny Moran, in a premeditated, execution‑style killing that should have resulted in a conviction of first‑degree murder.
For nearly fifty years, Inmate Moran has refused to accept responsibility, instead blaming Debby, the psychologist, the courts, and anyone else he can while changing his story again and again.
Michigan’s leaders have long recognized the danger he poses. Since 1977, six Governors have denied every commutation request he has filed. In November 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer denied his latest request — following the Parole Board’s own recommendation of denial. The Board also denied his parole in 2017 and 2022.
The public has spoken clearly: more than 1,000 letters have been submitted opposing his release.
This decision ignores the evidence, ignores prosecutors and the Attorney General’s Office, and ignores the lifelong devastation to my family — especially to my mother, who died believing the system would protect her daughter’s memory.
Debby cannot speak for herself. My mother cannot speak for her. I will. The Parole Board needs to reverse this decision immediately for my safety, the safety of my family, and the members of the community.
– Sandra Humenny, sister of Deborah Humenny Moran
