Crime
On December 11th, 2018, Amy L. Murray, her 11-year-old son, and the family’s dogs went to McDonald’s. When they returned later to their Ilberia, Missouri, residence, it was on fire.
Authorities arrived, and after the fire was extinguished, they found Joshua in the bedroom. Authorities initially thought he died in the fire, but an autopsy revealed he was poisoned to death with antifreeze before the fire was set. Investigators also found evidence that the fire was started with an accelerant.
Investigators soon learned that Amy worked as a prison nurse at Jefferson City Correctional Center and had a close relationship with Eugene Claypool, who is serving 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of murder in 2001.
Detectives got their hands on Claypool’s recorded prison phone calls, and they heard Amy talk about not wanting to be around Joshua. She also mentioned marrying Claypool after Joshua died.
Amy was charged in February 2019 with murder, 2nd degree arson, armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence. She got out on $ 750,000 bail soon after her arrest.
Legal Proceedings
As the years passed, many trial dates were set, only to be repeatedly postponed. Amy and her lawyers fought the charges, even going so far as to claim Joshua killed himself, but when it was all said and done, she still ended up in prison.
On June 25th, 2025, the case was resolved. Amy entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder, 2nd degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence. The armed criminal action charge was dropped.
The Alford plea allows her to maintain innocence while acknowledging the evidence could result in a conviction.
The 47-year-old was sentenced to 12 years for the murder charge, 7 years for arson, and 4 years for tampering with evidence. The arson and tampering charges are consecutive and run concurrently with the murder charge, meaning she only has to serve 12 years.
Claypool was not charged with a crime. It’s unclear if he and Amy still have a relationship.
DOB:
May 28th, 1978Conviction(s):
- Second-degree murder
- Second-degree arson
- Tampering with physical evidence
Date of crime:
December 11th, 2018Location(s):
Ilberia, MODate of arrest:
February 2019Details:
Killed her husband so she could marry her incarcerated lover.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Joshua Murray (37)
Method:
PoisoningSentence:
12 years in prisonCurrent whereabouts:
Chillicothe Correctional Center in Chillicothe, MOLast Updated on 03/20/2026
