A Georgia woman accused of plotting to assassinate Robert Shiver in the Bahamas was in the middle of a bitter divorce battle with her husband. The family fortune and child custody were at stake.
Local media outlets report that Lindsay Shiver, 36 a former beauty pageant contestant, Terrance Bethel (28), her lover, and alleged hitman Faron Nnewbold (29), are all accused of trying to murder the former Auburn football player.
The Thomasville couple appeared to be in a perfect marriage. They often vacationed with their three boys on Caribbean islands where they posed on yachts and at the poolside of the exclusive Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club.
In 2020, Lindsay thanked her husband for their 10-year anniversary on Instagram in a caption that accompanied a picture of the couple on their wedding day.
She wrote: “The secret to a successful marriage is two imperfect people who will not give up on one another.” “So grateful for that fitness course 13 years ago, that brought us together, and all the love, laughs, and life that we have created since then!” “I love you, babe.”
The couple’s 13-year marriage was turned upside down when Robert, 38 allegedly caught his spouse having an affair. He filed for divorce on April grounds of “adulterous behavior,” according to court documents.
She responded with accusations of domestic violence, as well as “physical and mental cruelty.”
The couple continued to live in the 8,000-square-foot Thomasville home with their three children, despite their bitter legal battles.
Robert filed a divorce petition in which he sought primary physical custody of their children and sole use of the $2.5 million house. He also argued that his wife was not entitled to alimony.
The filing states that Lindsay has a degree in marketing from Auburn University and can support herself.
Robert began his career in business after playing football for Auburn University and briefly with the Atlanta Falcons. According to the website of the Senior Life Insurance Company, he is now the executive vice president.
Allen Shiver was the CEO of Flowers Foods, a bakery company worth $5 billion, for 40 years. He retired in 2019.
Lindsay denied having an affair in response to her divorce petition. Her lawyers stated that any extramarital affair defendant had occurred during the separation of the parties and was legally sanctioned by her husband.
She demanded primary custody, child support, and alimony, as well as sole use of her home.
Her attorney requested a restraining order, writing that the wife felt unsafe in the marital house and had installed locks to protect herself.
The filing states that the husband has repeatedly abused his wife at home, in front of the children. This abuse was not only physical but also mental and emotional.
Lindsay, a native of Alabama, claimed that her husband had hidden money and cut her off financially.
Her lawyer wrote: “The parties… live an expensive lifestyle in general.” “Suddenly, the husband won’t allow the wife to access funds or use the jet.”
She also claimed that her husband had taken their children away for the weekend and refused to return them before the police intervened.
Lindsay was supposed to be deposed for their divorce on July 18, shortly before she was arrested. However, the hearing has been pushed to October 31, according to court records.
According to Bahamas Court News, Bahamian Police discovered the alleged murder plan on July 16 when searching WhatsApp messages from the phone of a suspected burglar.
According to a source, the Thomasville Times-Enterprise reported that Lindsay and Bethel have a house in the Bahamas where they met.
The Royal Bahamas Police didn’t immediately respond to a comment request.
They appeared in court for the first time on Friday. They are still in jail until a hearing on Oct. 5.
WDHN reported that Lindsay was Miss Houston County under her maiden surname in 2005. She also finished second in the National Peanut Festival Pageant in the same year.