A woman from Missouri has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting to the murder of her husband, claiming she felt unable to afford a divorce.
On January 27, Melanie Biggins, 42, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter concerning the death of her husband, Ettienne L. McEwan, which occurred on August 31, 2022. Initially, she faced more serious charges, including first-degree murder and armed criminal action, but entered a plea deal that allowed her to plead guilty to the lesser charge.
If convicted on the original charges, Biggins could have faced life in prison.
According to reports, on the night of the incident, Biggins called 911, claiming that an intruder entered their home and shot her husband while they were asleep. When police arrived, they found her attempting CPR on McEwan.
Biggins told officers that she awakened to a gunshot and discovered her husband had been shot. She stated that when she went downstairs, she found the front door open but did not see anyone suspicious.
However, the investigation revealed inconsistencies in her story. Initially, she claimed that the only weapon in the house was her husband’s rifle. Later, she admitted to purchasing a gun from a pawn shop.
Police later discovered a pillow and blanket with bullet holes and found a .38 Special handgun hidden under a bunk bed in another room. Ultimately, Biggins confessed that she had been having an affair for the last 18 months of her nine-year marriage and that financial difficulties were preventing her from seeking a divorce.
