‘Ghost Adventures’ Star’s Estranged Wife Gets Up to 7½ Years for Murder-for-Hire Plot

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‘Ghost Adventures’ Star’s Estranged Wife Gets Up to 7½ Years for Murder-for-Hire Plot
A Las Vegas judge has sentenced Victoria Goodwin — the estranged wife of “Ghost Adventures” investigator Aaron Goodwin — to three to seven-and-a-half years in state prison for plotting to have the reality-TV star murdered. Judge Nadia Krall handed down the 36- to 90-month term on Thursday, June 5, after the 32-year-old tearfully admitted that she conspired with convicted family killer Grant Amato to arrange a contract hit on her husband.
Goodwin pleaded guilty in April to a single count of conspiracy to commit murder, part of a deal that spared her the possibility of a longer sentence on additional solicitation charges. Prosecutors said she began exchanging letters, phone calls, and illicit text messages with Amato in early 2024, shortly after she saw him featured in the Paramount+ docuseries Ctrl + Alt + Desire. Amato is serving life in a Florida prison for the 2019 slayings of his parents and brother.
According to police testimony, prison staff found a contraband cellphone in Amato’s possession last winter. The device contained dozens of messages from Victoria that included the couple’s Las Vegas address, Aaron Goodwin’s daily routine, and a proposed “payment plan” for the killing. “Am I a bad person because I chose to end his existence, not divorce?” she wrote in one exchange, investigators told the court.
Detectives informed Aaron Goodwin of the alleged plot only after his wife’s arrest on March 6. The 49-year-old cinematographer — a regular on Discovery’s long-running paranormal series — filed for divorce within days and began traveling with armed security. “For seven years I thought I was in the most loving marriage with my best friend,” he told the court, choking back tears. “Now I’ll never feel safe again.”
Addressing the bench, Aaron said Victoria had “spent almost all our savings” trying to keep the scheme secret while carrying on what prosecutors described as an “emotional and spiritual marriage” with Amato. “The fact that this person did all this to me with no care or love in her heart — I will never be the same,” he said, urging Krall to impose prison time.
Victoria, shackled and wearing jail attire, offered an equally emotional apology moments before sentencing. “I recognize my stupidity and the terrible crime against Aaron,” she sobbed. “I pray you find joy and peace again, and I promise you’ll never see or hear from me.” She also apologized to the court, calling the plot her “rock bottom.”
Deputy District Attorney Jillian Strout countered that the apology rang hollow, noting that Victoria never tried to halt the plan until law enforcement intervened. “She provided location, timing, and payment details; the wheels were in motion,” Strout said, adding that an unidentified accomplice outside the prison was prepared to carry out the killing. Amato has not been charged in Nevada, though authorities say their investigation remains open.
Defense attorney Brandon Albright asked for probation, pointing to Victoria’s “severe mental-health struggles” and the fact that the murder was never actually attempted. Judge Krall rejected the request. “This was not a fantasy,” she said. “The steps taken moved this crime from thought to preparation.” Krall imposed the maximum term allowed under the plea agreement, ordering Victoria to serve at least three years before she is eligible for parole and to have no contact with Aaron.
The couple married in August 2022 after dating for several years. Court filings show their relationship began to fracture in late 2023 amid allegations that Victoria was involved with “multiple men,” including Amato. Aaron told reporters outside the courthouse that he is undergoing therapy “to process the betrayal” and hopes to focus on new paranormal projects once the divorce is finalized. “I’m grateful to the fans who have reached out,” he said. “Their support reminds me that there are still good people out there.”
Victoria Goodwin was led from the courtroom by marshals to begin her sentence at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center. With credit for the 92 days already served, she could leave prison as early as 2028 — a possibility her former husband still finds unnerving. “Whether she serves the minimum or the maximum, I’ll be looking over my shoulder,” Aaron said. “But at least today the court affirmed that what happened to me deserves prison time.”
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