Nicola Shaughnessy and Jacqueline Edison, both 19, arranged a murder-for-hire plot that led to the death of Nicholas' father, Austin-based jeweler Ted Shaughnessy, in 2018. Nicholas and his then-wife Jacqueline spent months searching for someone to execute Ted and his wife Cory Shaughnessy , and is offering up to $50,000 for it.
As the investigation continued after Ted's murder, authorities from the Travis County Sheriff's Office found incriminating messages to and from Nicholas Shaughnessy and Jacqueline Edison's phone and home computer. This led to their arrest on May 29, 2018.
the Dateline NBC The episode revisits the 2018 murder of Ted Shaughnessy. The synopsis reads:
“When a deadly shooting erupts at a home in Austin, Texas, in the middle of the night, investigators wonder if the homeowners' jewelry business is a possible motive; the investigation uncovers a suspect no one expected.”
The episode is titled ghosts can't talk, It aired on January 12, 2024 at 9pm EST and will be available to stream on Peacock and NBC.
Nicholas Shaughnessy and Jacqueline Edison discuss the details of payments via text messages
After removing suspicions about a botched robbery due to the lack of missing items or forced entry into the crime scene, Nicholas Shaughnessy and Jacqueline Edison soon become the suspects.
Nicholas Shaughnessy allegedly told police they had not been in Austin, where Ted and Corey Shaughnessy live, in more than a month. However, authorities located Nicholas in Austin on February 28, 2018, using his phone records.
A search warrant for the young couple's home in Capital Station revealed incriminating letters exchanged between Nicola and Jacqueline on February 23 and 24, 2018. Edison asked:
“Do they want 50 grand or not?”
Nicola replied:
“We'll see. …I'm sure they are [sic] Casual jobs are about 10.
The letters also confirmed that the couple was in financial distress due to debts of $30,000 to Corey Shaughnessy and $2,600 to a College Station neighbor.
According to KXAN News, Nicholas sold a personalized bracelet given to him by his grandparents for $530 at Capital Station Jewelers who in turn recommended him to Gallerie Jewelers in Austin – Ted Shaughnessy's store. Nicholas Shaughnessy refused to do so.
Jacqueline Edison texted a friend:
“only you [sic] I know I'm broke.
This was followed by screenshots of her personal bank account which had a balance of $1.92 and her joint account with Nicholas which had a balance of $1.65.
Nicholas Shaughnessy talks with Spencer Patterson
In another conversation on January 30, with his friend Spencer Patterson, Nicholas asked him if he wanted to make $20,000. He added that the total amount that Patterson was supposed to receive was $50,000, as he said:
“20 for each one and an extra 10 because 50 is a good integer.”
He asked Patterson to verify how the Ponzi scheme began on February 15 and asked him to help make a “cash projection” on February 26.
An old conversation dated August 2017 with Spencer Patterson revealed the preparation for the 2018 murder. Nicholas Shaughnessy told Patterson he needed more money and continued to recommend:
“Fine fine. Just walk in and shoot a family stealing everything they have. …There's no need for a mask because they'll die.”
Shaughnessy later bragged to him that he was not considered a person of interest when investigators returned his cell phone to him. He also offered to show Patterson photos of the March 3 crime scene.
