How many times have cell phones gotten people in trouble and helped solve crimes? In the latest case, WhatsApp messages led Bahamian authorities investigating a burglary to bust an alleged South Georgia murder for hire plot.
News outlets throughout the country have reported on the story. According to the reports, Lindsay Shiver, 36, of Thomasville, a former beauty pageant winner, allegedly planned to kill her husband, Robert Shiver, 38, an insurance company executive and former Auburn football player, with the help of her suspected lover.
According to authorities, Lindsay was having an affair with Terrance Bethel, 28, whom she met in the Bahamas. The Shivers owned a house in the island nation. The two had contacted Farron Newbold, 29, who was the suspected hitman, the Thomasville-Times Enterprise has reported.
Bahamian authorities were searching through the phone of a suspected burglar when they stumbled upon the murder-for-hire plot. The burglary had taken place at Grabbers Bar and Grill on Great Guana Cay. Police discovered the plot in a series of WhatsApp messages on a cell phone. Authorities have not stated who owned the phone.
According to reports, Robert Shiver had discovered his wife’s affair and filed for divorce.
Lindsay, Bethel, and Newbold were arrested and are being held in a Nassau, Bahamas, jail.