The Lindsay Shiver Trial: Everything to Know about The Murder-for-Hire Plot
In March 2026, former beauty queen Lindsay Shiver will stand trial in the Bahamas for allegedly plotting to kill her ex-NFL player husband. Prosecutors say she sent a WhatsApp message to her bartender boyfriend and his friend with photos of her husband and another woman, along with a chilling two-word order: "Kill him." The defense claims it was just a figure of speech. We're breaking down the love triangle, the evidence, and what to expect at trial.
Robert and Lindsay Shiver
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The trial of Lindsay Shiver, a former beauty queen accused of plotting to kill her ex-football player husband, is set to begin in March 2026. We'll be following the case closely and providing updates as the trial unfolds. Subscribe to Moms and Mysteries on Apple or Spotify to hear our full trial coverage episode once the trial begins.
Who’s Who
•Lindsay Shiver: The defendant, a 38-year-old former beauty queen and Auburn University cheerleader, accused of conspiring to murder her husband.
•Robert Shiver: The intended victim, a 39-year-old former Auburn football player with a brief stint in the NFL, who was in the midst of a contentious divorce with Lindsay.
•Terrance Bethel: Lindsay’s 28-year-old boyfriend, a bartender in the Bahamas, also charged in the plot.
•Faron Newbold Jr.: A 29-year-old friend of Bethel’s, accused of being the hired hitman.
The Alleged Plot: A Two-Word Text
The dramatic story unfolded in the summer of 2023 at the exclusive Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club in the Bahamas, where the Shiver family owned a home. Lindsay and Robert were in the middle of a bitter divorce, with accusations of infidelity and abuse from both sides. On July 16, 2023, after a heated argument about their travel plans, Robert was seen at a bar with another woman. Photos of the two were sent to Lindsay.
According to Bahamian authorities, Lindsay then sent a WhatsApp message to a group chat with her boyfriend, Terrance Bethel, and his friend, Faron Newbold Jr. The message contained the photos of her husband and a chilling two-word directive:
“Kill him.”
Five days later, all three were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
How the Plot Was Uncovered
The alleged murder-for-hire plot was discovered by accident. Bahamian police were investigating a robbery at the bar where Terrance worked. Suspecting an inside job, they searched employees’ phones and stumbled upon the incriminating WhatsApp messages. When shown the messages, Robert Shiver reportedly told police he feared for his life and requested action.
The Evidence and Defense
The prosecution’s case hinges on the WhatsApp messages. Prosecutors have also claimed that Lindsay confessed to the plot, though details of the alleged confession have not been made public.
The defense, however, argues that the “Kill him” text was not a literal order but a figure of speech sent in a moment of anger. In an interview with Good Morning America, Terranceclaimed Lindsay was simply venting after an argument with her husband.
“Whenever she gets into an argument with [Robert] and she tells me about it, of course I’m livid about it,” Terrance said. “But planning to murder him? No.”
A Messy Divorce and New Relationships
The alleged murder plot is set against the backdrop of a high-stakes divorce. Robert filed first, citing his wife’s “adulterous conduct.” Lindsay responded with accusations of “physical and mental cruel treatment.”
Since the arrests, both have moved on. Robert is now in a public relationship with reality TV star Savannah Chrisley. Lindsay, who is no longer with Bethel, is living with her parents in Alabama after being released on bail with a GPS monitor. In a bizarre twist, she recently asked a judge to remove the “embarrassing” monitor so she could pursue a career as a social media influencer.
What to Expect at Trial
The trial, scheduled for March 2026, has been delayed multiple times. If convicted, Lindsay, Terrance, and Faron could face up to 60 years in a Bahamian prison. The case will likely come down to whether the jury believes the “Kill him” text was a genuine murder plot or simply a hyperbolic expression of anger.
We will be covering the full story on the podcast once the trial begins. Subscribe to Moms and Mysteries to hear our full analysis.
References
[2] Lindsay Shiver News Updates | Court TV
[3] Dothan beauty queen charged in overseas murder-for-hire plot won’t go to trial until 2026 | WDHN