Murdered Woman's Family, Oakland County Prosecutor Fight Killer's Parole

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Prosecutors and the family of an Oakland County woman who was murdered are working to block her estranged husband and killer from an early prison release.

On Sept. 20, 1976, prosecutors said Leslie Moran had been making public threats against his wife, Deborah Humenny Moran, who was 22 at the time.

He purchased two guns and lured her to his West Bloomfield home with a false story about needing a ride to the airport, prosecutors said.

He then shot her multiple times in the head and chest, killing her, prosecutors said.

A jury convicted Moran of second-degree murder in 1977 and he was sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2010, 2017 and 2022. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also denied his commutation request last November.

However, last month the parole board approved Moran's request to be released from prison. He is 85-year's-old.

Prosecutors and the family of Deborah filed a motion to block Moran's parole. A judge granted a stay of parole until the motion can be ruled on.

"While Deborah Humenny Moran cannot speak for herself at the parole board, her family continues to advocate for her memory," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen D. McDonald said. "Her killer has never shown remorse or taken responsibility for his crime. We cannot allow him to escape accountability, even a half-century later."

Prosecutors argue there are compelling reasons to keep Moran locked away, including that he 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 parole board.

Additionally, they said the parole board abused its position by granting early release.

"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," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said.

Sandra Humenny, Deborah’s sister, said Leslie Moran has not accepted responsibility for the killing. She added six governors have denied all of his commutation requests.

"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," Humenny said. "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."