Prison Nurse Amy Murray Sentenced for Poisoning Husband to Marry Inmate

Image sources: Missouri Department Of Corrections, Miller County Sheriff's Office, Fancher-Rekus Funeral Homes

Amy Murray, a former nurse at Jefferson City Correctional Center in Missouri, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to fatally poisoning her husband and setting their home on fire in 2018. The case, which has received national attention for its unusual circumstances, reached a conclusion on June 25, 2025, when Murray, now 47, entered an Alford plea to charges of second-degree murder, second-degree arson, and tampering with evidence.

Details of the Crime and Sentencing

Murray’s husband, Joshua Murray, 37, was found dead in the couple’s burned-out home in Iberia, Missouri, on December 11, 2018. While his death was initially attributed to the fire, an autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned with ethylene glycol, a chemical commonly found in antifreeze. Investigators determined that the fire had been deliberately set using an accelerant, and Murray had left the house with her son and dogs to go to McDonald’s just 30 minutes before the blaze began.

Authorities arrested Murray three months later, after uncovering evidence of her relationship with Eugene Claypool, an inmate serving a 25-years-to-life sentence for murder at the same correctional facility where Murray worked as a nurse. Recorded conversations revealed Murray had discussed her desire to leave her husband and, after his death, told Claypool they could now marry since Joshua was "out of the picture.”

On June 25, 2025, Murray accepted a plea deal, entering an Alford plea—a legal mechanism that allows a defendant to accept a conviction without admitting guilt, acknowledging that the prosecution likely has enough evidence to secure a conviction. In exchange, prosecutors dropped the charge of armed criminal action against her.

The judge sentenced Murray to 12 years for murder, seven years for arson, and four years for tampering with evidence. All sentences will run concurrently, meaning she will serve a total of 12 years in prison.

Ongoing Legal Issues

Murray also faces additional charges, including sexual abuse and offender abuse by an employee of the Department of Corrections, tied to her relationship with Claypool. A hearing on these charges is scheduled for July 21, 2025, in Cole County Court.

Amy Murray’s case, driven by her relationship with a convicted murderer, has drawn widespread attention. As she begins her own prison sentence, the human toll of her actions remains evident—from the loss of her husband to the impact on her family and community. The case is a sobering reminder of how personal choices can lead to irreversible consequences for everyone involved.

 

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