“Kill him”: An ex-NFL player’s wife texted her boyfriend these two words and now she’s a murder suspect

When Lindsay Shiver sent a two-word WhatsApp message—"kill him"—to her boyfriend, she probably never imagined it would land her at the center of a high-profile murder conspiracy case. But now, the estranged wife of former NFL player Robert Shiver is facing trial in the Bahamas, accused of plotting to have her husband killed. The case, which began amid a bitter divorce battle, has taken an unexpected turn, with Lindsay claiming the message was nothing more than a figure of speech.

Authorities claim a WhatsApp message was part of a murder-for-hire plot

According to an indictment reported by ABC News, Lindsay’s July 2023 message was allegedly part of a murder-for-hire plot involving her boyfriend, Terrance Bethel, and friend, Farron Newbold Jr. Authorities claim the text included a picture of Robert Shiver and another woman, suggesting a direct intent to harm him. Days later, Lindsay, Bethel, and Newbold were arrested in the Bahamas and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

While the accusations are serious, all three suspects have pleaded not guilty. Lindsay insists that her message was simply an expression of frustration and never meant to be taken literally. Bethel echoed that sentiment during a recent Good Morning America interview, saying, "Planning to murder him? No."

The explosive fight over a private jet that sparked the allegations

The Shivers' marriage had already been unraveling when the alleged murder plot surfaced. The couple met at Auburn University, where Robert played football and Lindsay was a cheerleader, and they married in 2010. However, by April 2023, their relationship was beyond repair—Robert filed for divorce, citing Lindsay’s "adulterous conduct," while she accused him of "cruel treatment."

The situation escalated on July 16, 2023, when Robert planned to take their three sons to their vacation home in the Bahamas on the family's private jet. Lindsay, who was also planning to travel on the jet to meet Bethel, was denied access by Robert, sparking a heated argument. Lindsay later called 911, claiming Robert was being "aggressive."

Robert, who had a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons, defended his decision in police bodycam footage, saying, "You’re not getting on the airplane. That can mess with the kids’ heads. It’s just something we’re not going to do."

The defense insists the allegations are exaggerated and misinterpreted

Lindsay and Bethel are pushing back against the murder conspiracy allegations, claiming the text was taken out of context. "Whenever she gets into an argument with [Robert] and she tells me about it, of course I’m livid about it," Bethel told Good Morning America. "But planning to murder him? No."

With the trial set for August, Lindsay’s legal team is preparing to argue that the message was never meant to be taken literally. Meanwhile, a judge in the Bahamas has placed a gag order on the case, preventing further public discussions from those involved.

For now, Robert Shiver remains unharmed, and his focus is on moving forward with his life. Meanwhile, the question remains: Was this truly a sinister murder plot, or has a heated marital dispute spiraled into something far bigger than anyone expected?


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