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Kelli Underwood Murder: Motive And Story Explained

In 2017, Kelli Underwood was murdered when her daughter discovered her mother’s body inside the North Texas home.

When Kelli Underwood didn’t return her calls for three days in 2017, Kayden Graham became worried. She went to her mother’s house in North Texas and discovered her dead.

Graham arrived to find Underwood bleeding on the ground and he immediately phoned for assistance.

Investigation Discovery’s “Mean Girl Murders: Desperate Texas Housewives” documentary explores the case’s investigation and final conviction of the killers.

kelli underwood murder

How Did She Die?

At the age of 46, Kelli Underwood, a cherished local of Princeton, Texas, suddenly went away.

Although she was a devoted mother of three and had a wonderful relationship with her kids, Kayden had just recently moved out before she passed away.

Kelli Underwood had a history of troubled relationships, and the days before she was killed, she had an on-again, off-again relationship with Tiffany Welborn’s ex-husband, it was discovered during the police inquiry into her death.

Nonetheless, many who knew Kelli praised her for being nice and helpful as well as for being a well-liked local.

She was self-sufficient and employed by a nearby metal fabrication business, with Kayden keeping a close eye on her mother’s health.

On September 20, 2017, Kayden decided to visit her mother at her house after becoming concerned after being unable to reach her for several days.

She found her mother bleeding profusely from her head as she lay unconscious in a room on the second floor.

When Kayden felt that Kelli’s body was too chilly to touch, he immediately dialled 911.

Despite their best efforts, emergency personnel discovered Kelli had already left the site when they arrived.

Kelli was fatally shot and stabbed between the evening of September 16 and the morning of September 17, according to an investigation by the police.

The initial medical assessment found several stab and gunshot wounds despite her body having been inside the house for several days.

As soon as it became apparent that Kelli’s death was the result of a violent homicide, the police opened an inquiry to identify the perpetrators.

Kelli Underwood’s terrible death stunned the Princeton community, and the loss of such a wonderful and kind girl grieved her loved ones.

Her loss would be mourned for years to come, but the investigation into her killing would ultimately result in the conviction of those guilty.

Who Killed Kelli Underwood?

The police learned details regarding Kelli Underwood’s medical history while looking into her murder.

They learned that she had brain surgery in 2001 to remove a tumour, which resulted in depression and partial paralysis in her.

Tiffany Welborn, a friend from high school who helped Kelli out, extended an invitation for her and her daughter Kayden to move in with her and Ronnie Welborn in Princeton, Texas. But soon after, things began to go dark.

Ronnie’s metal fabrication company employed Kelli, and their tight friendship quickly developed into a romantic relationship.

Tiffany first made an effort to ignore the warning signs, but she ultimately issued divorce papers to Ronnie.

As a result, Kelli was able to continue seeing Ronnie and even continued to live with him after Tiffany moved out.

He was unhappy with Ronnie’s on-and-off connection with Kelli.

During this time, Ronnie had an intense relationship with a younger woman named Kadie Robinson.

Kadie found out she was expecting Ronnie’s child within a few months, and the couple made plans to begin a new life together.

Kadie, on the other hand, detested the fact that Kelli was still close with Ronnie and was envious of her. The murder of Kelli was thought to have been motivated by envy, but the police could find no evidence connecting Kadie or Ronnie to the crime.

Robert Veal and Delvin Powell were the last people to see Kelli alive, according to the police when they questioned Kelli’s neighbours throughout the inquiry.

Kelli was still alive when Robert and Delvin left, according to their assertion that they were performing maintenance at her home.

The DNA samples the police took from the crime site, however, matched Robert and Delvin’s DNA.

Subsequent inquiries revealed that Robert was in continuous communication with Kadie and had even been paid to kill Kelli by Ronnie.

When Kadie was questioned once more by the police, she eventually admitted that Ronnie had paid Robert and Delvin almost $8,000 in cash to kill Kelli.

She insisted that she wasn’t involved in the murder’s planning, but her phone records contradicted her.

The four suspects were detained by the police, who then accused them of murder.

Where Are Robert Veal and Delvin Powell Now?

Robert and Delvin pled not guilty and maintained their innocence when they were brought before the judge.

Nonetheless, a jury convicted them of capital murder in 2020, and the judge gave them a life sentence without the chance of release.

Ronnie Welborn and Kadie Robinson, the other two criminals who committed the horrible act, entered guilty pleas in the meanwhile.

Kadie was given a 30-year prison term, while Ronnie was given a life sentence. The James Ferguson Unit is where Delvin Powell is presently completing his sentence.

While Robert Veal is serving his sentence at the O. B. Ellis Unit in unincorporated Walker County, Texas, which is situated in unincorporated Madison County, Texas. No hope of parole exists for them.

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