$80,000 Murder-for-Hire Alleged in Henry County

HENRY COUNTY — Two men are held without bond following the murder of Henry County resident Angela Claxton. Investigators report that Kenneth Claxton, the victim’s husband, allegedly promised Travis Ryan, Jr. $80,000 in life insurance money to commit the crime. Within five days of the crime, the murder plot was uncovered through smart watch data and surveillance footage.

On June 5, Henry County deputies responded to a scene at 425 Cay Lawrence Road in Buchanan, Tenn. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the body of Angela Claxton, who appeared to have been stabbed over 20 times.

Angela Claxton’s smart watch indicated her time of death to be approximately 2:07 a.m. on June 4. Ten steps were logged on her watch.

A nearby security camera showed a “unique” white truck with a utility bed driving on Highway 140 in Puryear at 1:37 a.m. on June 4, driving toward Angela Claxton’s home. Nearly an hour later, at 2:27 a.m., the same vehicle was seen driving away from the area.

Investigators located the vehicle in Dresden, Tenn., on June 9. According to the warrant, Travis Ryan, Jr. claimed the truck as his own and confessed to the murder of Angela Claxton.

Ryan admitted to stabbing Angela Claxton over 20 times on the promise of Kenneth Claxton paying him $80,000 in his wife’s life insurance money. Kenneth Claxton, who was in Alaska at the time of the murder, allegedly supplied Ryan with a Tyvek suit, a knife and a smelter to melt the knife down.

Ryan said he wore the Tyvek suit and a ski mask. He reportedly entered through the side door and stabbed Angela Claxton in her bed until she ran outside and collapsed at the front door.

Travis Ryan, Jr. was taken into custody at 1699 Jewel Store Road, Dresden. He was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder and one count of First Degree Murder.

Kenneth Claxton was arrested at 425 Cay Lawrence Road, Buchanan. He was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder.

Henry County General Sessions Judge Chad Cox arraigned both defendants on June 11.

Kenneth E. Claxton is scheduled to return to court June 18. He has no attorney on record.

Travis Ryan, Jr. returns to court July 30 to check the status of a forensic evaluation. He will be represented by the 24th Judicial District Public Defender’s office.

Both men are held without bond.

The joint investigation included assistance from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, TBI, the Weakley County Sheriff’s Office, the Puryear Police Department, the FBI, the Kentucky State Police, the Murray State University Police Department, the 24th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, the 27th Judicial District Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee.