Ex-NFL® Wife Texted 'Kill Him' to Bahamas Lover
Lindsay Shiver's mug shot. Photo courtesy of the Nassau Central Police Station.
In a tale that seems ripped from a crime thriller, Lindsay Shiver, a former beauty queen and mother of three, stands accused of orchestrating a plot to murder her estranged husband, Robert Shiver, a former Auburn University football player. The alleged conspiracy, involving her lover and an alleged hitman, has unveiled a web of betrayal, leading Robert to express he is "thankful to be alive," according to Fox News.
The Unraveling of a Marriage
Lindsay and Robert Shiver's relationship began at Auburn University, where she was a cheerleader and he played football. Married in 2010, they appeared to have a picture-perfect life, raising three sons and sharing idyllic moments on social media. However, by early 2023, cracks began to surface. PEOPLE reports that in April, Robert filed for divorce, citing Lindsay's "adulterous conduct." Lindsay countered with allegations of "physical and mental cruel treatment," claiming her extramarital relationship occurred during a period of separation and was condoned by Robert.
A Sinister Plot Emerges
The situation took a darker turn in July 2023 during a family trip to their vacation home in the Bahamas. Tensions escalated after Lindsay informed Robert she planned to spend time there with her new boyfriend. In response, Robert refused to let her board the family's private jet. "I told her, I'm not supporting that," he said in police body cam footage captured outside their home in Thomasville, Georgia, according to PEOPLE. "You're not getting on the airplane. That can mess with the kids' heads. It's just something we're not going to do."
Despite the confrontation, Lindsay arrived in the Bahamas later that day and checked into the Shiver family's townhouse at the exclusive Baker's Bay Golf & Ocean Club in Great Guana Cay. That evening, things escalated when Robert was "seen at a nearby bar, arm-in-arm with another woman." Enraged, Lindsay allegedly forwarded pictures of them in a WhatsApp® group message to her boyfriend, Terrance Bethel, 30, and his friend Farron Newbold Jr., 31, writing just two words: "Kill him," as reported by PEOPLE.
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Bahamian police claim they uncovered the murder plot while investigating an unrelated robbery at Grabbers, the bar where Bethel once worked. Suspecting an inside job, they searched employee phones and stumbled upon Lindsay's incriminating message to Bethel and Newbold.
Upon being shown the message, Robert reportedly said he feared for his life and requested immediate "police action," according to police records, according to PEOPLE.
On July 21, 2023, Lindsay, Bethel, and Newbold were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. They pleaded not guilty, with Bethel asserting that Lindsay's message was a figure of speech made in frustration. Initially granted bail, Lindsay's release was revoked after she participated in a media interview, violating court-imposed conditions. However, in February 2025, she was again released on $100,000 bail, with strict instructions to remain silent about the case.
Moving Forward Amidst Uncertainty
As legal proceedings continue, Robert Shiver has found solace in a new relationship with reality TV star Savannah Chrisley. During a virtual court hearing, Court TV reported that Robert expressed his gratitude for surviving, stating he was "thankful to be alive," according to PEOPLE.
Lindsay is currently living with her parents in Alabama as she awaits trial in August. Her relationship with Bethel has ended, and both are preparing for their separate court proceedings. As for Newbold, there has been no public update on the status of his case.
This case is ongoing.
References: Did a Beauty Queen and Her Lover Plot to Kill Her Husband in the Bahamas? 'Thankful to be Alive' | American beauty queen charged in ex-NFL husband's murder plot granted release from Bahamas prison: report
