HERNANDO, FL – An 81-year-old Florida woman is behind bars after authorities say she tried to hire someone to commit murder, only to discover her would-be hitman was actually an undercover detective.
Elouise Ruth Leland was arrested Friday following an investigation by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office that began earlier this month when detectives received a tip about someone looking to have another person killed. The Special Investigations Unit and Major Crimes Unit worked together to set up a sting operation that would ultimately lead to Leland’s arrest.
During a meeting on Friday, Leland allegedly sat down with an undercover officer posing as a contract killer and discussed the specifics of her deadly plan. According to investigators, she agreed to provide payment in exchange for the murder and went over details of how she wanted the job done.
Sheriff David Vincent said his deputies moved quickly once they had what they needed. “Thanks to the quick actions of our Criminal Investigations Division and partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to prevent the senseless murder of another,” Vincent stated.
Authorities confirmed that the intended victim is safe and was notified about the plot. Officials have not released information about the target’s identity or what may have motivated Leland to allegedly seek out a killer.
Leland now faces a charge of solicitation to commit first-degree murder, a serious felony that carries significant prison time if convicted. She’s currently being held at the Citrus County Detention Facility without bond as prosecutors prepare their case.
The arrest serves as a reminder that law enforcement takes murder-for-hire schemes seriously regardless of the suspect’s age. Detectives say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to determine whether anyone else may have been involved in the alleged plot.
