US: Alabama Woman Who Hired Hitman via Social Media To Kill Her Husband Over Child Custody Dispute Sentenced to Life
An Alabama woman was sentenced to life without parole for hiring a hitman via social media to kill her child's father during a custody battle. Jaclyn Skuce paid USD 30,000 to have Anthony Larry Sheppard murdered in 2020. The gunman was convicted in 2025, and Skuce will now serve her sentence in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
A Madison woman was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Friday, May 8, for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot that claimed the life of her child's father. Jaclyn Skuce, 43, was convicted of capital murder after a jury determined she hired a gunman to kill Anthony Larry Sheppard to prevent him from gaining custody or visitation rights. The sentencing marks a pivotal conclusion to a case that began with a wellness check nearly six years ago.
The Investigation and Discovery
The case originated on July 24, 2020, when the Hartselle Police Department was asked to perform a welfare check on Anthony Larry Sheppard. Sheppard's attorney had raised alarms after he failed to appear for a scheduled custody hearing that morning. US Shocker: Former High School Teacher Sentenced to 15 Months After She Admits to Having S*x With Student.
Upon arriving at the residence, officers found the storm door shattered and the main entrance ajar. Inside, police discovered Sheppard deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators quickly focused on the ongoing and contentious custody dispute between Sheppard and Skuce as a potential motive for the violence.
The Murder-for-Hire Plot
Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Skuce utilised social media to recruit a hitman. She ultimately hired Logan Delp, a resident of Hartselle, allegedly offering USD 30,000 to carry out the killing. The prosecution successfully argued that Skuce’s actions were specifically intended to end Sheppard's legal pursuit of his child. Following the trial, Skuce was found guilty of three counts of capital murder: murder for hire, murder of a witness, and murder committed by shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Legal Outcomes and Co-Defendants
"There are never any winners in a case like this," Chief Assistant District Attorney Garrick Vickery said following the verdict. "This jury was incredibly thorough and took their time to make sure they made the right decision, both for Mr. Sheppard and for the defendant," the attorney added. Skuce is one of five individuals charged in connection with the homicide. The gunman, Logan Delp, was convicted of capital murder in October 2025. According to the District Attorney's Office, another defendant has entered a guilty plea, while two others are currently awaiting trial. US Shocker: Woman Kills 4-Year-Old Daughter in West Virginia, Later Has S*x With Husband; Awarded 2 Life Terms.
Vickery expressed relief at the jury's decision to hold Skuce accountable for the death of the victim. "We are glad that they convicted her for the choice she made to take Mr. Sheppard away from his family," he stated. Under Alabama law, the capital murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Skuce was remanded to the Alabama Department of Corrections, where she will remain for the rest of her life without the possibility of parole.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 10, 2026 06:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
