ICYMI: Maryland Chain Saw MASSACRE—Woman Learns Fate After KILLING Her Own Mom!
A Maryland woman is sentenced for brutally killing and dismembering her mother with a chain saw. 🌐 #News #HyattsvilleMD #Maryland #Crime
HYATTSVILLE, MD – A grisly crime unfolded in a quiet Maryland neighborhood near Hyattsville, where a 46-year-old woman ended her mother’s life in a shocking act of violence. Candace Craig now faces the rest of her days behind bars after a judge handed down a life sentence without parole on Wednesday. The case, marked by a chain saw, a backyard grill, and a chilling cover-up attempt, stunned even seasoned courtroom officials in Prince George’s County.
A Deadly Dispute Turns Grisly
The fatal encounter began on May 23, 2023, when Craig killed her 71-year-old mother, Margaret Craig, in their shared home. Authorities point to a disagreement over a credit card as the trigger for the murder.
After the killing, Craig didn’t stop—she used a chain saw to dismember her mother’s body. She then enlisted her 21-year-old daughter, Salia Hardy, to assist in disposing of the remains.
Hardy, who later pleaded guilty as an accessory, has learning disabilities that left her vulnerable to her mother’s influence, according to her legal team.
The pair attempted to burn Margaret’s body on a grill, even cooking chicken alongside it to mask the smell of burning flesh. Their plan unraveled when the fire grew out of control, drawing neighbors to the scene. The flames were extinguished, but the grim truth remained hidden—temporarily.
A Basement of Evidence
Days later, police arrived at the home on June 2 following a welfare check request from a concerned caller who hadn’t heard from Margaret in days. Craig allowed officers inside, but the stench of decay hit them as they descended into the basement.
There, they found blood, tissue, and three trash bags—one containing what looked like brain matter. A knife and a chain saw, still bearing human remains, lay nearby. The scene painted a clear picture of the brutal dismemberment.
Investigators later determined that Margaret’s body had been cut into 67 pieces, with signs of burning and mechanical saw marks. Though not every fragment was recovered, the medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, unable to pinpoint the exact cause due to the condition of the remains.
Courtroom Closure
During the sentencing, the judge called Craig’s actions unthinkable, emphasizing the peaceful life Margaret had led before her violent end. The prosecution chose not to dwell on the gruesome details, focusing instead on honoring the victim’s memory.
Hardy, who testified against her mother in October as part of a plea deal, recounted how Craig tried to erase evidence by burning the body and later cutting it up after the fire failed. She also shared how her mother brushed off her grandmother’s screams, claiming an object had fallen in the basement.
Craig even blamed her daughters for the crime, a claim that left courtroom observers reeling. The judge, unmoved by any defense, ensured Craig would never walk free again.
Honoring the Victim
The tragic loss of Margaret Craig has left a deep wound in the hearts of her loved ones and the Hyattsville community, forever altered by this unthinkable act.
For those grappling with grief, there is solace in knowing that God sees their pain, as Psalm 34:18 promises, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
We honor Margaret’s memory by lifting up her family in prayer, seeking peace for all touched by this sorrow, and trusting in divine comfort to guide them through these dark days.
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Maryland | Washington, D.C.
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