On the evening of Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010, 45-year-old Richard Schoeck was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds at Belton Bridge Park in Hall County, Georgia. He had been lured to the remote park by his wife, Stacey Schoeck, under the pretense of exchanging romantic gifts. Instead of a celebration of love, Richard was met by a hired killer who shot him repeatedly, with two shots to his face at close range. Stacey Schoeck placed the 911 call, initially claiming to have discovered her husband's body after arriving at their designated meeting spot. The investigation that followed would unravel a cold-blooded murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by the victim's wife.
Investigators soon learned that Stacey Schoeck, then 38, had been having an affair and stood to gain from a $500,000 life insurance policy upon her husband's death. The investigation revealed that Stacey had confided in a co-worker, Lynitra Ross, about her desire to have her husband killed. Ross then connected Stacey with a personal trainer named Reginald Coleman to carry out the murder. The arrangement was made for a payment of $10,000 to Coleman for the killing. Phone records and financial transactions between the three individuals became crucial evidence for law enforcement, showing communication before, during, and after the murder, as well as the payments made by Stacey.
In May 2010, authorities arrested Stacey Schoeck, Lynitra Ross, and Reginald Coleman in connection with Richard Schoeck's murder. As the legal proceedings unfolded, the depth of the conspiracy became clear. Stacey Schoeck eventually pleaded guilty to malice murder to avoid the death penalty. She claimed at one point that she believed her husband was abusing her children, a claim that was unsubstantiated. Reginald Coleman, the triggerman, also pleaded guilty to malice murder. Lynitra Ross, who acted as the intermediary, was convicted of murder by a jury. All three were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for their roles in the senseless and brutal killing of Richard Schoeck.
