Headlines

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

Prosecutors say his son expected an $8M payout.

Published

5 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.

Wilkerson Testimonials

Wilkerson: “They Feel Like Family”

Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Ark., was a true institution. But after being at the helm for most of his life, owner (and descendent of the original founder) Kelly Newton decided it was time to retire. He chose Wilkerson to handle the sale. “I’ve known the owners of Wilkerson for a long, long time. I felt at home with them,” he says. The final retirement sale was just a “blast” and the Wilkerson sales team made it so very simple and straightforward, says Newton. Would he recommend Wilkerson to others? Absolutely. “They’ve done incredible work,” says Newton. “They feel like family.”