The investigation into the Spencer County hitman case

Jane Kleaving was arrested last week for attempting to hire a hitman to kill an Owensboro man. The news release from the Indiana State Police did not explain what many people may have been asking. Why did this 52 year old woman want to hire a hit man to kill an Owensboro man 22 years her junior?

Here is a bit of the background on Jane Kleaving’s arrest according to the investigative affidavit from the Spencer County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

The names of the individuals outside of the law enforcement officials and Jane Kleaving have been changed. These names are simply used to reduce the confusion in the story.

Police were contacted by a female friend Sue concerning statements Kleaving was making about her granddaughter’s father John. Sue explained to State Police Sgt. David Price that she and Kleaving had been friends for a few years and during this time Kleaving had spoken to her concerning a custody battle between her daughter (Mary) and John.  The court case is ongoing and centers around physical abuse of the granddaughter by John.

Kleaving was concerned about the father potentially getting custody of her granddaughter. Sue and Kleaving had discussed the case and both were committed to seeking justice for Kleaving’s granddaughter, however Sue became concerned with the direction that Kleaving’s statements were going.

Kleaving had asked Sue if she knew any hitmen. Interestingly Sue knew of someone that had claimed to be a hitman in Tennessee. Kleaving immediately inquired as to how to contact him to kill John. With Kleaving’s increased interest Sue felt it was necessary to contact the police.

According to Sue, Kleaving continued the plan to find someone to kill John. She and Kleaving had a series of text conversations and Kleaving even provided Sue with a throw-away cellphone for the hitman.

Price then decided to begin an investigation to determine two things; whether Kleaving was truly acting alone and if Kleaving truly intended to have John murdered.

Price formed a team that included F/Sgt. Rob Priest and Sgt. Steve Sands from the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section. The team planned to have Sgt. Sands pose as the potential hitman and he would meet with Kleaving while Priest and Davis conducted surveillance nearby.

Kleaving had continued with her plan to contact someone to kill John. She informed Sue that she had met another individual who had offered to befriend John and then kill him in an apparent hunting accident. Sue then connected Kleaving with Price (posing as the hitman) by telling her the hitman would be calling her for the details to conduct the murder. Sue had provided Sands with the throw-away phone through which he could contact Kleaving through.

In a recorded conversation Sands and Kleaving planned to meet at the Troy Boat Ramp the morning of November 11. Kleaving informed Sands the reason for wanting John killed and even inquired if he would do it for free. She also told him her husband knew nothing of her plans to have John killed. Sands instructed Kleaving to bring $500 and a picture of John when they met.

On the day of the meeting Sands was contacted by Kleaving to move the meeting from the Troy Boat Ramp to the Lincoln Ferry Park in Spencer County at 11:00 a.m. The team had originally planned their positions for the Troy Boat Ramp but they now had to rethink the operation. They arrived early and reconnoitered the area and repositioned themselves.

Sands’ vehicle was wired with audio and video devices. Davis was in another vehicle monitoring the audio and video signal while three other State Police were nearby to assist if needed. Davis saw Kleaving enter the Ferry Park and instructed Sands she was there. Price then pulled in and made contact with Kleaving and the two began the meeting in Sands’ vehicle.

Price recorded the discussion that ensued between Sands and Kleaving in the vehicle. Kleaving paid Sands the $500 and gave him a picture of John and other identifying information. Kleaving made statements like she wanted John to go away, she didn’t want to know anything, and even asked if she would go to hell for the act.

Kleaving then negotiated with Sands on the price of the contract and informed him she could possibly pay him after receiving a loan for the agreed upon price. She then suggested Sands could steal her vehicle and get the money from it. He informed her is wasn’t enough money and she then advised him to burglarize her home and she would file a claim with insurance to pay him.

After completing the deal Kleaving told Sands she didn’t want John to know she had anything to do with this but instructed Sands to tell him “this is what you get for f—–g a little girl” and then instructed him to mutilate John’s body.

She left Sands and after departing the park, was arrested without incident by the supporting unit in the area.

Here is the timeline of the events:

October 5– State Police contacted by Sue concerning Kleaving’s actions to connect with a hitman.

October 13– Price met with Priest and Sands to discuss the credible threat against John’s life and formed a plan to determine Kleaving’s intentions.

October 14– Price met with Sue again to gather more information. Sue informed Price that Kleaving had met an individual that offered to kill John in a hunting accident. This individual was not identified. Price also took the throw-away phone to use while posing as a hitman.

October 17– Sue contacted Price to state Kleaving wanted to move ahead with the plan. Price had activated the phone, but Sue stated Kleaving was going to wait to contact him after the results of a custody hearing were finalized.

November 4– No decision in the court case but Kleaving had been in contact frequently with Sue concerning the situation.

November 7– Sue notifies Price that Kleaving would like to be contacted.

November 8– Sands (posing as the hitman) contacts Kleaving and arranges the meeting.

November 11– Kleaving met with Sands to complete the deal and was subsequently arrested.