On Sunday evening, 24/5/1992, 39-year-old nurse Gail Mosby was found dead in her Jackson, Mississippi home. Neighbors discovered her naked body in the bathtub, her head underwater, legs dangling out.

Gail lived with her two sons, aged 7 and 10, following her 1986 divorce from Richard Mosby. Their five-year marriage ended amicably, with Gail granted full custody and Richard having weekend visitation rights.

A diary revealed Gail struggled with depression after a breakup with her girlfriend. In early 1990s Mississippi, same-sex relationships faced social stigma.

Gail Mosby with her sons before her death. Photo: Oxygen

Gail Mosby with her sons before her death. Photo: Oxygen

Despite evidence suggesting suicide, police questioned the shallow bathwater, deeming it insufficient for drowning. A broken picture frame also raised concerns, but no other signs of foul play were evident.

The coroner noted a small scratch on Gail's nose but officially ruled the death a suicide.

Conflict between the wives

Gail’s family disputed the ruling, citing growing tension between Gail, Richard, and his new wife, Deborah, over the preceding four years.

Deborah, previously married with two children (one of whom died young), married Richard in 1988. They had a daughter together.

Gail's family told police Deborah resented any mention of Richard’s previous marriage and treated Gail poorly. Gail’s sons claimed their father and stepmother prioritized their half-sister, and that Deborah instigated disputes over child support and custody.

While animosity provided a motive, lacking evidence of murder, investigators reached an impasse.

Unraveling the murder plot

Four months later, Deborah’s sister, Vickie Mordecai, contacted the FBI, claiming she and her husband were targeted for death due to their involvement in a marijuana growing operation. Vickie offered information about Gail’s case in exchange for protection.

Vickie testified Deborah hired a hitman, Billy Ray Ford, to kill Gail. “Deborah said, ‘I need someone to take care of Gail’,” Vickie recounted. On the day of the murder, Billy picked up Richard and drove to Gail’s house.

There was no sign of forced entry, as Gail believed she was opening the door for Richard. Vickie claimed Billy attacked Gail, knocking over the picture frame. Gail’s mouth was covered with a cloth soaked in chloroform, and she was drowned in the tub. Her clothes were folded and placed on the toilet lid to stage a suicide.

Investigators discovered Billy had a previous overturned manslaughter conviction. The conflict between Deborah and Gail further corroborated Vickie's testimony, prompting an official murder investigation.

Police wired Vickie to record conversations with Richard and Deborah. Deborah admitted knowing Billy but denied hiring him to kill Gail, claiming she hired him to threaten or assault Gail to force her to move. This placed Billy and Richard at the scene during Gail's death.

Phone records revealed numerous calls between Deborah and Billy in the months preceding Gail’s death.

Richard, Deborah, and Billy were charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

Overturning the suicide ruling

As news spread, Deborah’s ex-husband contacted police, reporting their child's drowning, for which Deborah blamed her older child. Investigators noted the similarity: two bathtub deaths involving a woman.

Prosecutors faced a hurdle: the coroner refused to overturn the suicide ruling.

Since Gail was buried without an autopsy, authorities exhumed her body hoping to find traces of chloroform, but decomposition hindered efforts.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Balen concluded Gail's death was a homicide, citing the nose scratch, ankle bruising, blood in the bathwater, and the shallow water level. However, the coroner remained unconvinced.

Richard (left) and Deborah Mosby after their arrest. Photo: Oxygen

Richard (left) and Deborah Mosby after their arrest. Photo: Oxygen

The trial began on 10/10/1994. Billy testified against Richard and Deborah, claiming Deborah orchestrated the murder, offering him 5,000 USD. Richard largely followed Deborah's instructions.

In May 1995, Richard pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

In December 1995, during Deborah's trial, prosecutors argued she benefited financially from Gail’s death, avoiding child support and receiving benefits for the boys. Deborah’s hatred for Gail was another suggested motive.

Deborah was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Billy and Richard were released in 2021. Deborah was released after serving 26 years.

Following the trial, the coroner officially changed the cause of death to homicide.

Tue Anh (Oxygen)