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Authorities: Jeweler’s Shooting Death Was Murder-for-Hire Ordered by Son

Prosecutors say his son expected an $8M payout.

Published

7 years ago

July 23, 2018

INSTORE Staff

Prosecutors say the March shooting death of Texas jeweler Theodore “Ted” Shaughnessy was a hit job ordered by his 19-year-old son and his son’s girlfriend.

Authorities have arrested Nicolas Patrick Shaughnessy and Jaclyn Alexa Edison in the case, the New York Daily News reports. They face a count of criminal solicitation to commit capital murder.

Ted Shaughnessy, 55, owner of Gallerie Jewelers in Austin, was shot to death in a home invasion, authorities said. Police said they found evidence of forced entry into the residence.

Authorities say the plan was for Shaughnessy’s mother, Corey Shaughnessy, to be slain, too. However, she was not hurt, the Daily News reports.

Investigators say the younger Shaughnessy had anticipated getting about $8 million following his parents’ death. That total would have included insurance money as well as proceeds from the sale of the store and the couple’s house.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.