Missouri prison nurse Amy Murray will serve 12 years behind bars after poisoning her husband with antifreeze and burning their home to conceal the crime, all to pursue a relationship with a convicted murderer she met while working at Jefferson City Correctional Center.
Key Takeaways
- Amy Murray, a 47-year-old former prison nurse, entered an Alford plea for murdering her husband Joshua with antifreeze before setting their house on fire
- Murray had a romantic relationship with inmate Eugene Claypool, a convicted murderer, and discussed marrying him after her husband’s death
- Investigators found antifreeze in Joshua’s blood and determined he was dead before the fire began
- Despite maintaining her innocence through an Alford plea, Murray received a 12-year prison sentence for second-degree murder
- Murray conveniently left her home with her child and dogs shortly before the fire that consumed her husband’s body
Deadly Deception Unraveled
The case against Amy Murray began when emergency responders discovered the body of her husband Joshua in their burned home in Iberia, Missouri on December 11, 2018. Initial appearances suggested a tragic accident, but forensic investigation revealed a calculated murder. Joshua’s blood contained elevated levels of antifreeze, and examinations determined he was already dead when the fire started. This evidence contradicted Murray’s version of events, where she claimed to have discovered the fire after returning home from taking her son and dogs to a McDonald’s—a convenient alibi that ultimately fell apart under scrutiny.
Miller County investigators pieced together the murder plot through meticulous examination of evidence and recorded phone conversations between Murray and her prison inmate lover. These recordings revealed Murray’s growing frustration with her marriage and her plans for a future with Claypool once she was “free.” “The evidence trail led to Murray’s arrest in February 2019, approximately three months after her husband’s death, when the full picture of her deception became clear to law enforcement,” said Murray.
Prison Romance Turned Deadly
“The motive behind this heinous crime stemmed from Murray’s infatuation with Eugene Claypool,” said husband Joshua. An inmate serving life for the 2000 murder of a 72-year-old lottery winner. Their forbidden romance developed while Murray worked part-time as a nurse at Jefferson City Correctional Center. Investigators discovered recorded phone calls between the two where they openly discussed their future together following Joshua’s death. Murray had allegedly told Claypool she wanted to marry him and complained about her husband, revealing a calculated plan rather than a crime of passion.
The case highlights the disturbing phenomenon of prison staff developing inappropriate relationships with inmates, which in this instance escalated to murder. Murray’s professional position gave her both access to Claypool and knowledge of toxic substances that could kill without immediate detection. “As a nurse, she understood how antifreeze poisoning works and likely counted on the fire destroying evidence of the poisoning—a calculation that ultimately failed when forensic testing revealed the truth,” stated Joshua Murray.
Justice Through Alford Plea
Despite overwhelming evidence, Murray maintained a facade of innocence by entering an Alford plea to charges of second-degree murder, arson, and tampering with evidence. This legal maneuver allowed her to accept the punishment without technically admitting guilt—a distinction without a difference in the eyes of many observers. The plea agreement resulted in a 12-year prison sentence for the murder charge, with concurrent sentences for the additional crimes. This outcome spared the taxpayers the expense of a lengthy trial while ensuring Murray faces significant consequences for her actions.
The case represents a rare instance where a healthcare professional, trained to save lives, instead used that knowledge to end one. Murray’s conviction sends a clear message about the serious consequences of prison staff forming inappropriate relationships with inmates. Meanwhile, her partner in the crime, Eugene Claypool, remains behind bars serving his life sentence, with their plans for a life together permanently derailed by justice for Joshua Murray.
