Wife of 'Ghost Adventures' star gets up to seven years for murder plot

LAS VEGAS (CN) — Aaron Goodwin, one of the stars of reality TV show “Ghost Adventures,” told the judge at his wife’s sentencing that he’ll never feel safe again.

His wife, 32-year-old Victoria Goodwin, pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to commit murder in Eighth Judicial District Court in Las Vegas. On Thursday, she tearfully apologized to Judge Nadia Krall and her husband, saying regret consumed her.

“This is my rock bottom,” Victoria Goodwin said. “This is not a reflection of who I am.”

But after Aaron Goodwin testified about the fear he feels every day upon learning his wife put a hit on him, Krall sentenced Victoria Goodwin to a minimum of three years and a maximum of 7½ years in prison.

As part of the deal, prosecutors dropped a charge of solicitation to commit murder.

Aaron Goodwin said he believed he had a loving relationship with his best friend for seven years. However, in September, he discovered she’d cheated on him with several men, including the Florida inmate authorities said set up the hit.

“I can’t trust anything anymore,” Aaron Goodwin told Krall. “I cry every day. I feel so alone.”

Goodwin said he gave his wife options: divorce or the chance to work through the problem. Victoria Goodwin didn’t want to lose him.

“At least that’s what she told me,” he added.

He didn’t learn about the hit until after his wife’s March 6 arrest. Then he discovered she’d been blackmailed. A prosecutor said Victoria Goodwin had sent some $60,000 to the inmate’s associates. Aaron Goodwin called it almost his entire life savings.

“She claims she’s remorseful now, now that she’s been caught,” Aaron Goodwin said. “She tried to have me killed. She gave my location to people. She even asked for the updates on the murder. I feel like this deserves prison. I don’t know.”

Victoria Goodwin told the judge that she’d leave Nevada once released and that her husband would never hear from her. Her defense attorney, David Brown, asked the judge for a probationary sentence.

His client has never faced a criminal accusation before, Brown said. Additionally, she distanced herself from the plan to kill her husband in November. He characterized the payments after the first as extortion.

Brown gestured to Goodwin’s family in the courtroom, saying they could have posted her bond. Instead, his client opted to remain jailed after her arrest.

“She understands there are consequences for her actions,” Brown said.

The defense attorney also told Krall that his client faces serious health issues and suffers pain every day.

“Ninety-two days has gotten her attention,” Brown said of the time his client has been in jail.

Deputy District Attorney Christopher Hamner told the judge he’d give no recommendation on Goodwin’s sentence, though he would talk about the facts and circumstances of the case.

“We acknowledge that this is someone who doesn’t have a record,” Hamner said. “When you look at the facts of the case, they are serious.”

According to Hamner, Victoria Goodwin’s texts with the inmate weren’t fleeting. Instead, she texted a convicted murderer, questioning how she reached this point and whether she was a bad person.

“’I’m choosing to end his existence, not a divorce,’” Hamner said she texted.

Victoria Goodwin sent the inmate information about her husband’s location, the hotel where he stayed, pictures of him and information about the car he drove.

“At no point does Ms. Goodwin try to claw it back,” Hamner added. “And that really is ultimately the concern. At the end of the day, we don’t get solicitation cases very often.”

“Ghost Adventures” is a reality TV show that has aired since 2008. Four men, including Goodwin, travel to reputed haunted spots, investigate paranormal activity and document their actions.