CULPEPER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Culpeper County woman is in custody after deputies foiled her murder-for-hire plot targeting four of her in-laws.
“What is that child going to grow up thinking and knowing about their family?” said Kathleen Bilgers, who lives in the area.
According to the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office, 44-year-old Tammy Kelly had recently lost a custody battle concerning her grandson and was planning to have the boy’s maternal grandparents and their two children, who live in Louisa County, killed. Deputies learned of the murder-for-hire plot on Monday, November 16.
On November 19, 2015, The Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation using an undercover law enforcement officer who arranged a meeting with Kelly. During the meeting, the officer was able to obtain detailed information that included when, where, and how the murder would occur, persons involved, and the payment method. After obtaining this pertinent information, Kelly was arrested and charged with four counts of soliciting for murder, and four more counts of attempted capital murder for hire for intending to murder four victims.
“When it comes to kids, I don’t put anything past anybody,” said David Brooks, also a Culpeper resident.
Subsequent to Tammy Kelly’s arrest, a search warrant was obtained for her home on Fairfield Road in Stevensburg. During the search, officers recovered computers, printers, and tablets, which were used in the production of $2,500 in counterfeit money. They also obtained financial documents, cell phones, and a Sig Sauer P225 .9mm gun.
Deputies say the investigation is ongoing investigation and further charges are pending. Kelly is currently being held without bond in the Culpeper County Adult Detention Center.
