Kelley and Thomas Clayton (Patreon)

Kelley Clayton, a 35-year-old mother of two, was brutally murdered in her Caton, New York home on September 28, 2015. The attack appeared staged as a home invasion, but nothing was stolen and there was no forced entry. One of Kelley’s children witnessed part of the horrific scene, helping lead investigators toward the truth. As evidence mounted, a murder-for-hire plot emerged involving her husband, Thomas Clayton, and a disgruntled former employee. The case revealed secret affairs, financial motives, shifting confessions, and a community devastated by the betrayal.

Today's snack: Brown butter pecan bars

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Sources:

1. https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/playback/vod/GMO_00000000370107_01/729fee5a-798c-3471-94a0-53c2123df084 Dateline

2. https://www.hulu.com/watch/8edeed6a-3d99-4170-8758-7ba222c2af90 20/20

3. https://www.newspapers.com/image-view/131716630/?match=1&terms=%22Kelley%20Clayton%22

4. https://www.hulu.com/watch/8edeed6a-3d99-4170-8758-7ba222c2af90

5. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/star-gazette/name/kelley-clayton-obituary?id=21677715

6. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/public-safety/2017/01/20/clayton-trial-questions-over-poker-game-phone-call/96798910/

7. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/public-safety/2017/01/19/clayton-trial-alleged-accomplices-were-co-workers/96743388/

8. https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2017/04/upstate_ny_hockey_pro_gets_life_without_parole_for_killing_wife_murder_for_hire.html

9. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4447978/Former-hockey-pro-sentenced-life-prison.html

10. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/public-safety/2017/04/17/blandford-get-3-6-years-role-clayton-murder/100565918/

11. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/public-safety/2018/11/01/thomas-clayton-kelley-clayton-murder-hire-motive-michael-beard/1836311002/

12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/132584642/?match=1&terms=%22Kelley%20Clayton%22

13. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2025/09/25/murder-of-kelley-clayton-still-stirs-strong-emotions-a-decade-later/85816556007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119691p118050c118050d00----v119691d--57--b--57--&gca-ft=190&gca-ds=sophi

14. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2025/09/25/murder-of-kelley-clayton-still-stirs-strong-emotions-a-decade-later/85816556007/

15. https://www.stargazette.com/story/news/local/2025/09/25/kelly-stage-clayton-murder-case-timeline-of-events-trial-verdicts/86167110007/

16. https://www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/2024/12/04/largest-study-of-cte-in-male-ice-hockey-players-finds-odds-increased-34-with-each-year-played/