Lindsay Shiver’s family ‘sad, shocked’ over arrest in murder-for-hire plot against estranged husband: ‘Tore us up’
Lindsay Shiver’s family is distraught after the former beauty pageant queen was arrested in the Bahamas over the alleged murder-for-hire plot against her estranged husband, a former Auburn football player.
Lindsay’s grandfather, Tom Shirely, said he was “sad,” “shocked” and “disappointed” after finding out the 36-year-old stay-at-home mom was arrested on July 21,
Bahamas police said they had stumbled upon a scheme to murder Robert Shiver, 28, and that Lindsay had paid her alleged lover Terrance Bethel, 28, and Faron Newbold, 29, to carry out the act.
“It just tore us up,” Shirely told The Post Wednesday. “It’s just a shame, a crying shame, for Robert and the kids and everyone else.”
“I know Lindsay or I thought I did. And I don’t know what could have happened, but something happened,” he added.
Shirely noted Lindsay, Robert and their three kids appeared to be the ideal family, happily living at their $2.5 million mansion in Thomasville, Ga., and taking luxurious trips to their vacation home in the Bahamas — where they traveled by private jet.
“It’s hard to believe because they’re such a fine couple and a fine family,” Shirely said of the Shivers.
However, the family’s apparently rosy life came to an abrupt end on April 5 when Robert, an executive at a life insurance company, filed for divorce accusing his wife of cheating on him.
The following day, Lindsay submitted her response to the Thomas County Superior Court, claiming Robert had a history of violence against her and was attempting to cut her off from his money.
Shirely, however, said he was very close with the family and never witnessed any signs of domestic abuse, describing Robert as a “good fellow.”
“I never saw it. They were just a fine couple,” he said. “I never knew anything different. In fact, it’s a surprise to me that all this came up. And very disappointing.
“I don’t know if she lost her mind or what. I don’t know,” Shirely added.
Despite the contentious divorce and alleged murder plot, Tom said he was glad Robert had spoken with prosecutors about Lindsay, leading them to recant their objections to releasing her on bail Tuesday.
Lindsay, Bethel and Newbold were being held at the Fox Hill Prison in Nassau before the court allowed the mother-of-three to be freed on a $100,000 cash bail, Bahamas Court News reported.
She has agreed to wear an ankle bracelet and remain in the caribbean country until her court appearance on Oct. 5. Bethel and Newbold were each granted $20,000 bail and also agreed to wear tracking devices.
The trio will also surrender their travel documents and are banned from contacting Robert, with them all ordered to check in with the Marsh Harbour Police Station three times a week, the court ruled.
Representatives for the suspects could not immediately be reached for comment.
