A 34-year-old Manatee County woman is facing charges after authorities said she attempted to have her former husband killed.
- Rachael Natalie Leahy charged with solicitation of murder
- Detectives say Leahy wanted ex-husband David Joseph Leahy Jr. killed
- She was arrested after meeting with undercover detective twice and paying $2,500
According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Rachael Natalie Leahy had already paid $2,500 of $5,000 to a person she thought was a hitman to have her ex-husband, David Joseph Leahy Jr., 59, of Sarasota killed.
However, Leahy made the payment to an undercover detective.
Leahy was arrested Thursday and charged with solicitation of murder.
Authorities said in an affidavit that an investigation began Aug. 22 after deputies received a tip Leahy wanted her husband dead. The two had a contentious divorce in 2011 with allegations of domestic violence. The couple has two children and a custody dispute was still ongoing.
According to the affidavit, Leahy made contact with the "hitman" Aug. 23 after an informant passed contact information to her to reach that person, which turned out to be an undercover detective.
Leahy and the detective met at a Bradenton location about a week later and she talked about wanting her ex-husband dead. She later made a $1,000 down payment and provided information on her ex-husband's address, habits and photos.
The affidavit stated Leahy was asked if she wanted to change her mind. She said no.
At a Sept. 8 meeting, Leahy paid the "hitman" an additional $1,500 and discussed plans to leave the country the next day while the act was accomplished.
Officials said she also mentioned a possible second, but unknown, target for the hitman.
She was arrested the same day and is being held without bond at the Manatee County jail.