• Amy Murray poisoned her husband and set their home on fire to cover up the crime and be with a convicted murderer.
• Recorded calls revealed her plan to marry the inmate she met while working as a prison nurse.
• She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years, sparking outrage and grief in their small Missouri community.

Amy Murray, a 46-year-old prison nurse from a small Missouri town, received a 12-year prison sentence. She admitted to poisoning her husband and setting their home on fire to cover up the crime. Her shocking motive was to be with a convicted murderer locked up in the same prison where she worked. What began as a tragic house fire quickly revealed a twisted story of betrayal, deception, and a deadly love affair that stunned the close-knit community of Iberia.

The Quiet Town Shaken by a Tragic Fire and Suspicious Death

Iberia, Missouri, is a quiet city with just 700 residents nestled about 150 miles west of St. Louis. Life moves slowly there, with neighbors knowing each other by name. But that peaceful rhythm shattered in early 2019 when a fire destroyed the Murray family home. Joshua Murray, just 37 years old, died in the blaze. His wife Amy, their 11-year-old son, and two dogs escaped safely.

At first glance, the death appeared to be a tragic accident—a victim of a devastating house fire. However, forensic investigators quickly uncovered alarming details that suggested foul play. The medical examiner’s report revealed dangerously high levels of antifreeze in Joshua’s bloodstream, a chemical often linked to poisoning. Further autopsy findings showed injuries indicating Joshua had died before the fire even started.

The local fire marshal and sheriff’s office discovered traces of an accelerant used to ignite the blaze, adding to the suspicion. Investigators pieced together a grim picture: Joshua was poisoned, killed, and the fire was meant to hide the evidence.

A Nurse’s Hidden Connection to a Prison Inmate Revealed

The investigation took a shocking turn when authorities found out Amy Murray was in regular contact with an inmate named Eugene Claypool. Claypool was serving a life sentence for murder with no chance of release. Amy worked as a nurse at the same prison, giving her access to communicate with inmates.

Phone calls between Amy and Claypool were recorded and used as evidence. In these conversations, Amy expressed a grim longing for her husband to be “out of the picture.” She openly discussed the idea of marrying Claypool once Joshua was gone, revealing a disturbing motivation behind the poisoning and fire.

The Long Legal Battle and Alford Plea

After her arrest in February 2019, Amy Murray was released on a $750,000 bail but stayed under heavy scrutiny. The legal fight went on for years, with her defense trying multiple times to challenge the charges. One claim was that Joshua may have taken his own life by drinking antifreeze, but the court rejected it due to lack of evidence.

During the long trial, emotions ran high for Joshua’s family and the local community. In late 2024, his aunt, Sherry Thompson, spoke out about the family’s pain and frustration as the case dragged on.

“Josh was a good, faithful husband and father,” she said in a heartfelt letter. “For years, he owned his own construction business and worked hard to provide for his family. He was a well-respected member of our community and well-liked.”

Her words resonated deeply in Iberia, where neighbors remembered Joshua as a hardworking, devoted man caught in a tragic and sinister web.

The Sentence and What Lies Ahead

On June 25, Amy Murray entered an Alford plea. This legal move lets defendants accept conviction without admitting guilt. She agreed to charges of second-degree murder, second-degree arson, and tampering with evidence. In return, prosecutors dropped a more serious armed criminal action charge.

The judge sentenced her to 12 years in prison for the murder conviction. Seven years for arson, and four years for tampering with evidence. Importantly, the sentences for arson and tampering will run consecutively. But concurrently with the murder sentence, meaning she will serve them at the same time.

Amy Murray now awaits transfer to a state prison, where she will begin serving her sentence. Meanwhile, the community remains stunned by the betrayal and violence that unfolded behind closed doors in their peaceful town.

Public Outrage and a Community’s Healing Process

The news has sparked widespread outrage locally and beyond. Residents in Iberia, many of whom knew the Murray family, expressed shock.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous. “You don’t expect this kind of darkness from someone who cared for people. Especially not in a small town where everyone looks out for each other.”

Social media platforms lit up with people debating the case. Some expressed sympathy for Amy’s difficult choices, while many others condemned her for the cruelty and cold calculation involved.

The tragedy also prompted discussions about prison employees’ relationships with inmates. Experts weighed in on the dangers of such relationships, which can lead to manipulation or criminal activity.