When Kelley Elizabeth Stage Clayton was found dead in her Caton, New York home on September 29, 2015, the local community was shaken to its core. The brutal killing of the young mother of two seemed inexplicable at first, but the investigation soon peeled back the layers of a toxic marriage, revealing a sinister murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by her own husband, former pro hockey player Tom Clayton.
The case, which has been chronicled in ABC’s 20/20: What the Little Girl Saw and NBC’s Dateline: The House in the Woods, remains one of the most chilling examples of domestic betrayal. But more than a decade later, where is the man who orchestrated it all?
The Crime: A “Robbery” Gone Wrong?
shortly after midnight on September 29, 2015, Tom Clayton called 911. He claimed he had just returned home from a poker game to find his wife, 35-year-old Kelley Clayton, dead in their kitchen.+1
The scene was gruesome. Kelley had been bludgeoned to death, her body covered in wounds from blunt force trauma. While the scene was staged to look like a burglary gone wrong, investigators quickly noticed inconsistencies. There were no signs of forced entry, and nothing of value was missing.
Suspicion immediately fell on Tom Clayton. Despite having a solid alibi—he was at a friend’s house for poker night—his behavior and the state of his marriage raised red flags. Police discovered Tom had been unfaithful and had frequently complained about his wife, telling friends he wanted out of the marriage but didn’t want to lose his assets in a divorce.
The “Perfect” Alibi Crumbles
The investigation took a dark turn when detectives examined Tom’s phone records. They found he had been in contact with Michael Beard, a former employee he had recently fired. This was suspicious behavior for a man who had allegedly cut ties with a disgruntled worker.
The most damning evidence, however, came from the couple’s 7-year-old daughter, Charlie. She had witnessed the attack and told police, “A man was hurting Mommy.” Chillingly, she added that the man “could have been my dad” because of the mask he was wearing.
Beard eventually confessed (though he later tried to recant), admitting Tom had hired him for $10,000 to kill Kelley. He led police to the murder weapon—a maul handle—and the bloody clothes he had discarded.
Where is Tom Clayton Now?
Following a seven-week trial, Tom Clayton was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree murder on February 23, 2017.
Today, Thomas “Tom” Clayton is 47 years old and remains incarcerated.
He is currently serving a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. According to New York State Department of Corrections records, he is being held at the Green Haven Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Dutchess County, New York.
Despite appealing his verdict, his conviction was upheld, ensuring he will spend the rest of his natural life behind bars.
Where is the Hitman, Michael Beard?
The man hired to carry out the brutal act, Michael Beard, was also convicted of first-degree murder.
Now 55 years old, Beard is also serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He is currently detained at the Upstate Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison located in Franklin County, New York.
A Community Remembers
While the perpetrators are locked away, the memory of Kelley Clayton lives on. Remembered by her family as a “force of nature” with a bubbly personality, she was a dedicated mother and a beloved member of the Elmira community. Her family continues to honor her legacy, ensuring that she is defined not by the way she died, but by the vibrant way she lived.
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