Knoxville Woman Faces Maximum Sentence for Dark Web Murder-for-Hire Plot Against Romantic Rival

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.

In a shocking case that has gripped the local community, a Knoxville woman faces serious legal consequences after attempting to hire a hitman via the dark web to eliminate a woman she viewed as a romantic rival. Federal prosecutors are urging the court to impose the maximum possible sentence on Melody Sasser, 48, who is set to be sentenced on September 18 in front of U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan.

The Details of the Case

According to legal documents, Sasser is currently held in the Knox County jail system and previously entered a plea agreement regarding a charge of murder for hire. This charge can carry a prison sentence of up to ten years. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anne-Marie Svolto submitted a detailed memo outlining Sasser’s extensive planning to carry out her scheme against a woman known only as “J.W.”

The alleged motivation for Sasser’s actions stems from her obsession with a man from Alabama, who was once her hiking companion in East Tennessee. He later married J.W., leading Sasser to believe she needed to eliminate the competition. It’s been reported that Sasser’s fixation grew to a level where she sought to “terrorize” the victim, with the ultimate goal of ensuring J.W.’s death. In one chilling correspondence found by authorities, she explicitly stated that it was imperative for the murder to appear accidental: “It needs to seem random or an accident. Or plant drugs, do not want a long investigation,” she wrote.

The Dark Web Connection

To fund her plot, Sasser reportedly paid nearly $10,000 in cryptocurrency after discovering a site on the dark web called the “Online Killers Market.” She even escalated her threats by leaving harassing, voice-modulated phone calls for J.W. When the hitmen she contacted did not act quickly enough for her liking, Sasser offered to pay them even more to expedite the process.

A Frightening Discovery

Fortunately, authorities were alerted to Sasser’s attempts. An Alabama police department initiated an investigation after learning of the murder-for-hire plot and promptly informed J.W. about the threat against her life. During this meeting, J.W. identified Sasser as a potential suspect, noting her previous connection with Sasser’s hiking group.

Things escalated further when Sasser unexpectedly traveled to Alabama in late 2022, shortly after learning about the engagement of the man she was fixated on and J.W. While investigating Sasser’s home in Knoxville, law enforcement made gripping discoveries, including “a stack of U.S. currency underneath a sticky note that listed a Bitcoin address” alongside a piece of paper containing personal information about J.W.

Legal Representation and Next Steps

The case has sparked widespread concern and raised questions about the lengths a person might go when driven by jealousy and obsession. Veteran Knoxville attorney Jeff Whitt represents Sasser and has filed some sealed paperwork ahead of her impending sentencing.

As the date draws near, community members are left awaiting the judge’s decision while hoping for a resolution in a case that has touched upon the darker elements of human emotion. Melody Sasser’s actions serve as a serious reminder of how unchecked feelings can lead to dangerous pathways, impacting not just the individuals involved but also the broader community.