A Texas veterinarian accused of plotting to murder her ex-husband and her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend has reportedly taken her own life.
A woman believed to be Valerie Busick McDaniel, 48, died after jumping from a seventh-story Montrose condominium Monday morning, reports Chron.com.
McDaniel her boyfriend Leon Jacob, 39, were arrested on March 10 and charged with plotting to kill McDaniel’s ex-husband — and father of her daughter — as well as Jacob’s ex-girlfriend. The couple was busted after “hiring” an undercover cop posing as a hitman. They paid him $20,000 for the “murders” after their intended targets helped authorities fabricate their own murder scenes by posing for staged photos.
McDaniel met Jacob, who was accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend, through her divorce attorney, his mother.
Two weeks ago, McDaniel was released on $50,000 bail.
Following her release, her ex-husband’s lawyers told Chron.com that he feared for his safety, and would be obtaining a protective order against McDaniel.
“With regard to Dr. McDaniel’s release on bond, we are very concerned given she has little to lose at this point,” Marion “Mack” McDaniel’s attorney Kyle Sanders wrote in a statement given to the news outlet. “However, we are confident the courts will continue to take the steps necessary to protect Mr. McDaniel, his daughter and their family.”
According to Chron.com, authorities found the bloody scene around 11 a.m. CT, after a building employee called 911. McDaniel lived with her parents in the building but no one else was home at the time of her death. Police do not suspect foul play.
HPD homicide detective J.P. Villareal would not confirm to Chron.com that the deceased was McDaniel, but other sources told the news outlet that she was the victim. Detective Villareal confirmed that both the victim and her parents lived in the upscale building.
McDaniel had been due back in court for the murder case on Tuesday.