If you ask Jaclyn Elaine Skuce, the father of her daughter, Anthony Larry Sheppard, was not who he appeared to be. The 43-year-old mom alleged that he not only threatened her but also sexually abused their daughter. Skuce apparently lived in fear and found herself in a contentious custody battle with Sheppard. Police found him dead inside his home on July 24, 2020. It didn’t take long for investigators to suspect Skuce, but they had no idea she’d allegedly planned for his death.
Police found Sheppard during a welfare check.
According to the Associated Press, police in Hartselle, Alabama, went to check on Sheppard after he failed to appear in court on July 24. They found him on the floor inside the home with multiple gunshot wounds. Police quickly determined Skuce had hired a hitman to kill her ex on social media.
WAFF reported Skuce allegedly found 36-year-old Logan Delp on Facebook while using a fake name. Skuce wanted sole custody of the child she shared with Sheppard and apparently thought the only way to make that happen was for him to disappear. Skuce ultimately met up with Delp at a motel in Huntsville, where she told him to “take out” Sheppard. She reportedly admitted to police she had sex with Delp and paid him $30,000 to kill Sheppard.
A court convicted Delp of murder in 2025.
According to a release from Morgan County District Attorney Scott Anderson’s office, a jury found Delp guilty of capital murder for pecuniary gain and capital murder for shooting into a dwelling. He will spend the rest of his life in prison with no possibility of parole for the role he played in Sheppard’s death.
“We’re happy for the family of Larry Sheppard that the jury returned a guilty verdict of capital murder,” Anderson noted in the release, which was posted to social media. “This is a small step towards closure for the family, and we will continue to pursue justice for them as best we can.”
Police arrested five people in connection with the case.
In addition to Delp and Skuce, police arrested Aaron Howard, 40, LaJuhn Smart, 25, and Angela Stolz, 34. According to the AP, testimony by Hartselle Police Department investigator Tania Burgess indicated that Delp shot Shepphard, Howard served as lookout, Stolz sat in the back seat, Skuce orchestrated the hit, and Smart drove the getaway car.
Sheppard’s loved ones painted a picture of a mild-mannered family man.
According to his obituary, the 41-year-old father loved his daughter and seemed to be a happy man.
“He was employed as ‘The Garage Door Man’ prior to his passing. He enjoyed the guitar and music. He will be missed,” his obituary reads.
There are two sides to every story. Perhaps during her trial, the truth will finally come out. Skuce faces three counts of capital murder and could spend the rest of her life in prison if convicted.
