Kelley Clayton’s 2015 murder in her New York home was later revealed as a murder-for-hire plot involving her husband, leading to life sentences for both him and the hired killer.
What Happened to Tom Clayton Inside the Kelley Clayton Murder Case
When Kelley Elizabeth Stage Clayton was found dead in her home in Caton, Steuben County, New York, on September 29, 2015, the discovery stunned the local community. The 35-year-old mother of two had been brutally killed, a case later featured on ABC’s 20/20: What the Little Girl Saw and NBC’s Dateline: The House in the Woods. At first, investigators struggled to identify a suspect because Kelley did not appear to have any known enemies. Over time, however, authorities uncovered the truth behind her killing.
Kelley Clayton was born on August 1, 1980, the youngest of three children to Elizabeth Eckman and Howard Howard in Elmira, New York. Raised in a loving household, she was remembered by her siblings, Leonard Stage and Kimberly Stage, as outgoing, honest, and full of energy. She was known for speaking her mind while also being deeply caring and compassionate, traits that stayed with her throughout her life.
Kelley graduated from Elmira Free Academy and the State University of New York before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, to start a new chapter on her own. There, she worked as a cocktail waitress at the Imperial Palace. In 2004, she returned to Elmira after realizing she valued being close to family. During this time, she met hockey player Thomas “Tom” Clayton. The couple fell in love, married, and eventually settled in Caton, New York.
After settling down, Kelley found employment at The Woodhouse Stadium Grill and later became the mother of two children. Friends and family described her as a devoted parent whose focus was on providing a loving home. Her seemingly stable life came to a sudden and tragic end in September 2015.
Shortly after midnight on September 29, 2015, Tom Clayton called 911, claiming he had returned home from a friend’s house and discovered his wife dead in the kitchen. Police reports noted that Kelley was covered in blood and had suffered severe injuries to her head and face. An autopsy later confirmed that she died from blunt force trauma.
Authorities initially considered whether the killing was the result of a robbery gone wrong. This theory was dismissed when investigators found no signs of forced entry and no missing items. Evidence suggested a struggle began in the upstairs master bedroom, followed by Kelley falling down the stairs before being attacked again in the kitchen. Her two children were asleep in their bedrooms and unharmed.
Despite Tom claiming he was at a friend’s home for a poker night, investigators grew suspicious of his behavior. As the case progressed, detectives uncovered serious problems in the couple’s marriage, including Tom’s infidelity and repeated complaints about Kelley. Records suggested he wanted out of the marriage but did not want to lose his home, lifestyle, or children.
Investigators learned that Tom had made a phone call shortly before 11 p.m. on September 28 to Michael Beard, a laborer he had recently fired and evicted from an apartment. The call was made using a friend’s wife’s phone, raising further suspicion. When Michael was taken into custody, he confessed that he killed Kelley using a maul handle after being promised $10,000 by Tom.
Tom was arrested not only because of Michael’s confession but also due to statements from his then 7-year-old daughter, Charlie Clayton. She told a detective she saw parts of the attack and spoke about it shortly after her mother’s death.
Charlie said, “A man was hurting Mommy, and Mommy was yelling ‘Run, Charlie, Run and added that the attacker could have been my dad” because he was wearing a mask she recognized as one her father owned.
Michael later tried to change his story, claiming he had been hired only to burn down the house and discovered Kelley already dead. Investigators rejected this version after he led them to the murder weapon, his discarded bloody clothing, and the house keys thrown into a creek. His alleged getaway driver also came forward, stating that Michael said, “I’m going to have to kill a b***h” while driving to the Clayton home.
Michael Beard stood trial in October 2016 and was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree murder on November 4. Tom Clayton was convicted on the same charges on February 23, 2017, following a seven-week trial. Both men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Although both appealed their convictions, Tom’s appeal was denied. A judge later dismissed Michael’s second-degree murder conviction but left his life sentence unchanged.
Today, Tom Clayton, now 47 years old, is serving his life sentence at the maximum-security Green Haven Correctional Facility in Dutchess County, New York. Michael Beard, now 55, remains incarcerated at the maximum-security Upstate Correctional Facility in Franklin County.
