Whitney Leigh Murphy was 26 when she was found shot in the head at her Declo, Idaho, home on October 26, 2014. Investigators at first considered a possible home invasion because her husband’s shotgun was reported missing, but a safe containing a large sum of cash and other valuables remained in the house, raising questions about that theory.

Suspicion later focused on her husband, Jimmy Lee Murphy. He told police he was washing his truck and running errands for his employer at the time, a claim the employer denied. Gunshot residue was found on his hands; he initially said it came from pigeon hunting and later retracted that explanation. Weeks before Whitney’s death he reportedly took out a substantial life insurance policy on her, and after the killing he tried to claim the payout but was denied; he also reportedly refused to pay her funeral expenses. On the day she was killed he sent texts urging her to come straight home, and the shotgun used in the murder has not been recovered.

In March 2021 investigators moved to arrest Jimmy Murphy after surveillance showed he was preparing to leave the area; he attempted to flee and was stunned before being taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. Does anyone who knew Whitney or the Murphys have information that could help fill gaps in the timeline leading up to October 26, 2014?