What would you do with $20,000? Go on a big trip, buy a new car? Or eliminate your rival?
Social media drama often gets out of hand, but this case set a new precedent: An influencer was sentenced to 10 years in prison after trying to hire a couple for a murder-for-hire scheme. Her target? An online rival.
10 years behind bars for murder attempt
In October 2024, 35-year-old influencer Ashley Grayson received the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Her crime? Hiring hitmen to target a woman who had publicly criticized her online.
In August 2022, Grayson invited a former business associate to Dallas under the guise of discussing a “business opportunity.” Instead of a partnership, she proposed a deadly deal: $20,000 per murder.
A month later, Grayson doubled down on her intentions. During a recorded video call, she made it clear that her rival “needed to be dealt with immediately” and offered an additional $5,000 bonus if it was done within a week. Efficient, if nothing else.
The feud reportedly stemmed from a business rivalry that began in 2021, when the Mississippi-based target launched an online shop that Grayson believed was too similar to her own.
In July 2023, Grayson and her husband were brought to trial. While her husband was acquitted, Grayson was found guilty. Along with her prison sentence, she was ordered to serve an additional three years of supervised release upon completing her term.
A 21st century crime
Prosecutor Reagan Fondren described the case as a modern-day tragedy, where online conflicts dangerously crossed into real life: “The defendant tried to hire someone to murder a woman over things that happened exclusively on the internet,” Fondren said.
Fortunately, the scheme was thwarted before it turned fatal. However, the emotional toll on the victims and their families was significant. Fondren praised law enforcement for acting quickly: “The proactive response from the investigating agencies and our prosecutors prevented an even more serious crime from occurring.”
It seems the internet isn’t just a platform for petty disputes anymore. Sometimes, it becomes a stage for conflicts that should have stayed where they belonged: offline.