A woman from Kent, Washington, has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison for the shocking 2018 murder of her teenage daughter and attempted killing of her ex-husband.
On May 2, 2025, Svetlana Laurel, now 58, received a 390-month prison sentence—equivalent to nearly 32 and a half years—after pleading guilty to charges related to the violent attack in Renton that left her 14-year-old daughter, Natalie Gulizia, dead and her former husband and 12-year-old son traumatized.
A Calculated Act of Domestic Violence
Court records describe a harrowing scene at the Renton home of Laurel’s ex-husband, Michael Gulizia, on December 18, 2018. Laurel arrived unannounced while Michael and Natalie were away, bringing her son a bag she said contained Christmas presents. The bag instead held his old clothes.
After locking the doors, Laurel restrained the boy with zip ties, stuffed a sock in his mouth, and taped it shut with duct tape. For nearly two hours, she interrogated him, fixating on her grievances with his father.
When Michael and Natalie returned, they were startled to find Laurel inside. According to court documents, Laurel used a stun gun on Michael, forcing him to bind himself. Natalie ran to her bedroom and called 911. Laurel then allegedly struck Michael with a handgun and threatened to “ruin his life.”
Moments later, she confronted Natalie in her room. The conversation was captured during the ongoing 911 call. Laurel grew increasingly agitated after learning Natalie had called for help. She warned Natalie to stop asking questions, reportedly telling her, “If you don’t, your head will be gone.” A gunshot followed.
Laurel then attempted to shoot Michael, but the gun malfunctioned. He managed to break free and, after a physical struggle, escaped the home with his son.
When police entered the residence, they discovered Natalie dead from a single gunshot wound to the forehead. A spent casing was found nearby.
From Aggravated Murder to Plea Deal
Laurel was initially charged with first-degree aggravated murder, attempted murder, and kidnapping. As part of a plea deal, those charges were later reduced to second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and unlawful imprisonment. She pleaded guilty to all three.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of nearly 40 years, arguing that the premeditated nature of the attack—purchasing a weapon and zip ties in advance—proved Laurel knew what she was doing. They warned that she remains a danger to anyone she sees as an obstacle or enemy.
In contrast, the defense sought a lighter sentence of 20 years, citing claims that Laurel lacked the mental capacity to fully grasp her actions. The court ultimately sided with the state’s assessment of the case’s severity and imposed the 390-month sentence.
Victim Impact: A Brother’s Trauma
Natalie’s younger brother delivered a moving victim impact statement in court. He spoke of enduring trauma and the emotional scars left by witnessing his sister’s death.
He recalled how Natalie was his role model and inspiration—so much so that he now intends to follow her dream of becoming a doctor.
“It’s one thing to experience gun violence. But when it’s your own mother pulling the trigger, it completely reshapes your reality,” he told the court.
Background: Custody Disputes and Prior Tension
Laurel and Michael had divorced in 2016. While she initially had primary custody, concerns about her behavior led to the children being placed solely in Michael’s care. Laurel’s access was reduced to supervised visits. The relationship between the former couple was described as contentious, with repeated legal disputes leading up to the tragedy.
A Tragic Reminder of Domestic Danger
The court emphasized that the extent of the violence Laurel inflicted—particularly against her own children—underscored her ongoing threat to public safety.
Prosecutors stressed that had the gun not jammed, there could have been additional fatalities. The attack, they argued, was a planned and emotionally charged act rooted in long-standing resentment.
