Tonight on "20/20": What murder-for-hire suspect left behind

Friday, September 22, 2017
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Tonight on "20/20," ABC News will reveal what Valerie McDaniels left behind before jumping to her death as allegations of a murder-for-hire plot began to surface.

ABC News obtained audio diaries the Montrose veterinarian recorded on her iPad before her death.
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"I never wanted to hurt anyone. I hate the idea that everyone thinks I'm a monster," she said in one recording, referring to the allegations against her and boyfriend Leon Jacob.

Houston police say the couple tried to hire a hitman to kill their exes, but that hitman was an undercover officer. Police alerted the intended victims, who worked with officers in staging a fake crime scene.

RELATED: Timeline of alleged murder-for-hire plot
Timeline of alleged murder for hire plot charges


Body camera footage shows the moment McDaniels was informed by undercover detectives that her ex-husband had died. Jacob was there too, and he didn't waste any time offering officers an alibi.



Jacob and McDaniel were charged with solicitation to commit capital murder, but McDaniel committed suicide soon after. Jacob pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
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He told ABC13 he expects to be exonerated.

Hear more from McDaniel tonight on "20/20" at 9 p.m. on ABC13.

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