Manatee County Sheriff's Office detectives arrested Rachael Natalie Leahy, 35, of Manatee County after receiving information that she wanted her ex-husband dead.
The investigation began on August 22 when the Sheriff’s Office received information that Leahy wanted her ex-husband, David Joseph Leahy Jr., 59, of Sarasota, dead.
In the subsequent undercover operation, Rachael hired a Sheriff’s detective to kill David. The agreed cost of the murder-for-hire was $5,000.
Rachael met the hit man twice near the 1200 block of 60th Ave W in Bradenton, according to deputies.They said the first time, which was a week ago, she paid $1,000. The second meeting was Thursday and she paid $1,500. She paid cash both times.
Deputies said at first she did not know what was going on when they took her into custody on Thursday.
The investigation revealed that Rachael wanted David killed so she could have custody of their three children.
She is being charged with Solicitation of Premeditated Murder.
