The Twisted Relationships in Murder-for-Hire

Insights from a Forensic Psychologist

Someone wants someone dead, but they don't want to get their hands dirty. So, instead of doing the deed themselves, they hire a contract killer. While it may sound like something straight out of a crime novel or Hollywood blockbuster, murder-for-hire is a very real phenomenon, as evidenced by these recent American murder-for-hire plots:

Thirty-year-old U.S. Army sergeant Jeremiah Peikert and thirty-two-year-old brother Joshua are currently charged with conspiracy to commit murder and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to minors. The brothers allegedly plotted to hire a hitman to kill four people: a 29-year-old woman, her 23-year-old boyfriend, and her two young children, aged 10 and 1. Law enforcement uncovered the chilling scheme when Joshua's cellmate, to whom he had offered $10,000 per victim plus a $500 "finder's fee," wrote the intended victim a detailed, twenty-six-page letter outlining the devious plan. 

Joshua Peikert

Joshua did not realize something I quickly learned during my time working as a prison psychologist: while everyone behind bars has done something illegal, many inmates wouldn't dream of murdering an innocent woman or child (although they might be open to hurting someone who has). This "cellie" had no agenda other than to separate Mr. Peikert from some of his money, which, I am happy to report, he reportedly did. 

Meanwhile, in Tennessee, Melody Sasser was arrested for allegedly paying $10,000 in bitcoin to a dark web "Online Killers Market" to have the wife of a man she met on Match.com murdered. Sasser, who had become hiking buddies with the man, reportedly grew enraged when he revealed his plans to move and marry. She allegedly provided the would-be killers with detailed information about the woman's location and habits gleaned from a fitness tracking app, instructing them to "make it look random or like an accident."

forty-seven-year-old Melody Sasser

In yet another twist, Lindsay Shiver, a 36-year-old Georgia native and mother of three, was arrested in the Bahamas for allegedly plotting to kill her estranged husband while on vacation. Shiver, along with her alleged lover Terrance Bethel, 28, and a would-be hitman Faron Newbold Jr., 29, now face murder conspiracy charges. Police stumbled upon the alleged plot while examining Bethel's phone in an unrelated case.

Lindsey Shiver

Finally, fifty-five-year-old Arthur Raffy Aslanian was sentenced to twenty years in prison for a murder-for-hire scheme targeting his former lawyer over unpaid legal fees and a litigation opponent who had defeated him in a property dispute, as well as for burning down an apartment complex to push out low-income tenants. Aslanian had worked with an accomplice to hire the hitman and arsonist.

Arthur Raffy Aslanaian

These cases paint a disturbing picture of the world of murder for hire. They reveal the cold calculations, the simmering resentments, and the callous disregard for human life that can drive individuals to seek the ultimate form of vengeance. The motives are as varied as they are disturbing: financial gain, romantic jealousy, and removing legal and personal "obstacles." The intended victims range from intimate partners to litigation opponents to innocent children. The solicitation methods run the gamut from prison yard whispers to dark web transactions to simple word-of-mouth.

The Murder-for-Hire Triangle 

Every murder-for-hire plot involves three key players:

1. The Solicitor (a.k.a. the "client"): This person orders the hit. They want the target removed but want to keep their hands clean.

2. The Hitman: The contract killer hired to carry out the murder. They're the ones who pull the trigger or administer the poison.

3. The Target: The unlucky person whom the solicitor wants dead.

These three roles form a deadly triangle, with the solicitor and hitman joining in a contract to kill, and the solicitor and target often connected by soured personal ties. Unraveling the complex dynamics between these three parties is crucial for understanding any murder-for-hire plot.

The Psychology of Outsourcing Murder

But what are the mechanics of murder-for-hire? How do these dark agreements come about, and who are the people behind them? As we delve into the shadowy realm of contract killings, we'll explore the characteristics, motivations, and warning signs surrounding these sinister plots. For most people, the idea of taking a life is unthinkable. Even for those who might fantasize about killing someone they despise, the psychological and practical barriers to actually going through with it are immense, often leading to the twisted logic used to justify it. 

By outsourcing the murder to a third party, they can more easily evade a sense of responsibility. They can mentally distance themselves from the crime. They can tell themselves they're not responsible since they're not pulling the trigger. This justification allows them to maintain a sense of moral superiority, even as they coldly plot another person's demise.

There's also a practical element to choosing contract killing. The solicitor might lack the nerve, skills, or opportunity to carry out the murder themselves. They may fear getting caught or bungling the crime. By hiring a professional, they hope to minimize their direct involvement and lower their risk of detection.

The limited research we have on murder-for-hire suggests that there may be certain personality traits or characteristics that distinguish between killers who hire hitmen and those who kill with their own hands:

• Murder-for-hire solicitors tend to be older (30s-50s) compared to the average murderer (20s-30s).

• They are more likely to have white-collar jobs and higher education levels than typical homicide offenders.

• They are less likely to have an extensive or violent criminal history, as hiring a hitman allows them to keep their own hands clean.

• Narcissistic and psychopathic personality traits may be more common among murder-for-hire solicitors, as they enable the detachment and lack of empathy needed to coldly order a hit.

Of course, these are broad trends rather than definitive profiles. Murder-for-hire solicitors come from all walks of life, driven by a range of sinister motives. But understanding the twisted psychology that enables someone to outsource murder can provide valuable insights as we seek to unravel these chilling crimes.

Characteristics of Murder-for-Hire: Findings from Tennessee 

So, who are the people typically involved in murder-for-hire? What do these crimes tend to look like? A research project examining 30 cases in Tennessee provides some intriguing clues:

The Solicitors:

• A little over half were men

• Almost all were white

• Most were 19-41 years old

• Over half had a prior criminal record

The Hitmen:

• Nearly all men

• 9 out of 10 were white

• Tended to be younger, 16-30 years old

• Half had a criminal history

The Targets:

• About 2/3 were men

• 9 out of 10 were white

• Mostly killed in the 26-49 age range

Other key characteristics of these crimes:

• Guns were the weapon of choice in over 1/3 of cases

• Almost 2/3 took place at the victim's home

• Peaked in early morning hours (2-8 am)

• The plot ended in the target's death nearly half the time, with police foiling the plot in 41% of cases

• The solicitor & hitman were usually strangers; the solicitor & target often a married couple

The Motives: It's Complicated

On the surface, murder-for-hire seems to be the ultimate example of a cold, calculated crime - what experts call "instrumental homicide." The popular image is of a ruthless client putting out a hit to eliminate a business rival or collect on a life insurance policy. Emotions don't factor in; it's just business.

But research reveals that it's not so simple. When you look closely at that critical relationship between the solicitor and the target, a different picture often emerges - one with deep personal history and intense feelings involved. In the Tennessee study, a full 70% of the connections between the person ordering the hit and their chosen victim were "expressive homicides" - meaning emotions like jealousy, fear, or rage-fueled them. Emotion-driven motives were especially likely when the solicitor was a woman. The female solicitors in the study sample were also more likely to have an expressive motive, such as retaliating against an abusive partner.

So while some contract killings are indeed the stuff of spy thrillers - cold, clinical "hits" with hefty payouts - many are tangled up in personal relationships gone horribly wrong. Understanding the particular dynamics in any given case is crucial.

Connecting the Deadly Dots: How Solicitors Find Their Hitmen 

One of the most intriguing aspects of any murder-for-hire plot is how the solicitor and hitman find each other in the first place). After all, it's not like there's a "Hitmen for Hire" section in the Yellow Pages. So, how do these criminal connections get made?

The uncomfortable truth is that sometimes it's easier than you might think. In some cases, the solicitor directly approaches someone they already know - maybe a business associate with a shady reputation or a friend who's fallen on hard times and might be tempted by a cash offer. These personal connections can make the arrangement feel more "safe" or controllable for the solicitor.

In other instances, the solicitor may tap into the criminal underworld, feeling out potential contract killers through illicit networks. They might start asking around about who could handle a "special job," using coded language to mask their true intentions.

And then there's the role of the internet. Hitmen have been known to advertise their deadly services on the dark web, providing a degree of anonymity for both parties. Some solicitors have even tried their luck on mainstream classified ad sites, though this is a risky move that can attract the attention of law enforcement).

Of course, sometimes the "hitman" isn't a hitman at all but an undercover cop posing as a contract killer to ensnare would-be solicitors. In the Tennessee study, 35% of the murder-for-hire plots involved police stings. So, while finding a hitman may sometimes be disturbingly easy, it's a risky endeavor that can easily backfire on the solicitor.

Foiled Plots: When Murder-for-Hire Goes Wrong 

Not every murder-for-hire ends in tragedy. In the Tennessee cases, 41% of the schemes were thwarted before anyone was harmed, usually due to police intervention So, what stops the would-be killers?

In some cases, it's good old-fashioned police work that does the trick. A suspicious family member or friend might tip off law enforcement about the solicitor's deadly intentions, allowing detectives to set up a sting operation with an undercover officer posing as a hitman. If the solicitor takes the bait and makes an explicit request for murder, the police can sweep in and save the day before any actual violence occurs.

Other times, the hitman turns out to be the weak link. They might get cold feet at the last minute, deciding the risks of going through with the murder aren't worth the payoff. Or they might make a crucial mistake, like discussing the plot too openly or leaving behind incriminating evidence, that allows police to catch wind of the scheme.

There have even been cases of solicitors being foiled by their own poor planning. In one instance, a woman tried to hire a hitman to kill her husband by searching for "how to hire a hitman" on Google. Needless to say, her online queries raised some red flags.

How Police Uncover Murder-for-Hire Plots

When it comes to foiling murder-for-hire schemes, law enforcement agencies have a few key strategies in their toolbox. But first, they need to know there's a plot afoot. So, how do the police get wind of these sinister plans in the first place?

1. Informants and Tips One of the most common ways police learn about murder-for-hire plots is through informants or tips from the public. Sometimes, it's a family member or friend of the solicitor who grows concerned about their loved one's increasingly disturbing comments or behavior. They might overhear the solicitor discussing their deadly plans or find incriminating evidence like large cash withdrawals or suspicious internet searches.

In other cases, someone with ties to the criminal underworld brings the scheme to the authorities' attention. The whistleblower could be a rival gang member looking to take down their competition or a low-level criminal who's been approached about serving as a hitman and decides to turn informant instead.

2. Undercover Operations. Once police have a credible tip about a potential murder-for-hire plot, they often turn to undercover operations to gather more evidence. An undercover officer might pose as a hitman and arrange a meeting with the solicitor to discuss the job details. These conversations are carefully recorded, giving prosecutors concrete evidence of the solicitor's murderous intent.

In some cases, police might even set up an elaborate ruse, staging a fake crime scene to convince the solicitor that the deed has been done. When the solicitor shows up to pay the "hitman," they're promptly arrested.

3. Digital Breadcrumbs In the digital age, would-be solicitors often leave a trail of incriminating evidence online. They might search for information on poisons, research potential hitmen on the dark web, or send messages to the intended target that reveal their sinister plans.

Law enforcement agencies are increasingly adept at following these digital breadcrumbs. They might monitor suspicious online activity, subpoena search records or email exchanges, or even pose as hitmen themselves in dark web forums to ensnare potential solicitors.

4. Collaboration and Information-Sharing Murder-for-hire plots often involve a web of shady characters and criminal connections that stretch across jurisdictional lines. To untangle these complex cases, law enforcement agencies frequently collaborate and share information.

These partnerships might involve federal agencies like the FBI or DEA working with local police departments or officers in different states or countries coordinating their efforts. By pooling their resources and expertise, law enforcement can build a stronger case and cast a wider net to catch all involved in the murder plot.

5. Good Old-Fashioned Detective Work. Of course, sometimes foiling a murder-for-hire scheme comes down to tenacious police work and a keen investigative eye. Detectives might painstakingly comb through financial records to uncover suspicious transactions or spend long hours surveilling potential suspects to catch them in incriminating meetings.

They might interview witnesses, gather forensic evidence, or piece together a puzzle of seemingly unrelated clues to uncover the murder plot. In the end, this combination of high-tech strategies and old-fashioned gumshoe instincts often brings would-be contract killers to justice. Catching a murder-for-hire scheme in the planning stages is no easy feat. It requires a mix of solid tips, undercover savvy, digital sleuthing, collaboration, and dogged detective work. However, for law enforcement officials who dedicate their careers to foiling these sinister plots, the payoff is the knowledge that they've saved lives and brought dangerous criminals to justice. In the shadowy world of contract killings, their efforts are a vital bulwark against those who would coldly conspire to snuff out a human life for money.

Warning Signs: Could the Targets Have Known? 

Hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes. When a murder-for-hire plot comes to light, it's natural to wonder if there were any warning signs the target could have noticed. The answer is sometimes, but not always.

In some cases, especially those involving domestic partners or estranged spouses, there may indeed be red flags leading up to the murder attempt. The solicitor might make veiled threats, openly wish for the target's demise, or take out suspiciously large life insurance policies on them. If the couple has a history of domestic violence, a sudden escalation in controlling or aggressive behavior from the abuser could signal that they're planning something more sinister than usual.

But in other cases, the target may be caught completely off guard, never suspecting that someone close to them could wish them deadly harm. This lack of awareness is especially true when the motive is more coldly financial than emotional - the target of a business rival's murderous plot might have no idea they've made such a dangerous enemy.

Ultimately, the clues vary widely depending on the circumstances and relationships involved. And, of course, even if warning signs are present, it doesn't mean the target is always equipped to recognize them or able to seek help in time.

The critical thing for anyone suspecting they might be at risk is to trust their instincts and reach out for help if something feels off. Whether it's confiding in a trusted friend, contacting a domestic violence hotline, or going straight to the police, taking action to ensure your safety is always the right move. Because while every murder-for-hire plot is different, they all share one key trait: the belief that money and ill intent can snuff out a life. The more we understand these chilling crimes, the better equipped we are to prevent them.

The Takeaway

Murder-for-hire isn't easily pigeonholed. It exists in a dark space where intimate relationships, business dealings, greed, desperation, and violent impulses intersect. Studying it requires carefully examining the nuances of each case and the complex web of relationships involved.

But we can work towards prevention and justice by illuminating this troubling phenomenon. Our morbid fascination with murder-for-hire may never fade. Still, through research and awareness, we can chip away at the hold these sinister agreements have on the human imagination - and ensure more would-be contract killings stay on the silver screen. 

As always, thanks for reading this issue of The Mind Detective. Please share this with your true-crime-following friends. And, if there’s a case you’d like to cover, let me hear about it.