Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
CrimeJun 06, 2018
Son of Austin Jeweler Charged in Murder-for-Hire Plot
Authorities allege that Nicolas Patrick Shaughnessy and his wife, Jaclyn Alexa Edison, hired the suspect who killed Gallerie Jewelers owner Ted Shaughnessy.
Austin, Texas--Authorities in Texas have arrested the son and daughter-in-law of the longtime Austin jeweler murdered in a home invasion back in March, alleging they hired a hitman to kill his parents for financial gain.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said May 29 that 19-year-old Nicolas Patrick Shaughnessy and his wife, Jaclyn Alexa Edison, also 19, have been charged with criminal solicitation to commit capital murder, a first-degree felony.
The couple is alleged to have hired someone to murder Theodore (Ted) and Corey Shaughnessy so they could collect the $2 million in insurance that would come to Nicolas in the event of his parents’ deaths, the arrest affidavit shows, citing text messages exchanged between Nicolas and Jaclyn as part of the evidence.
The suspect, or suspects, hired to do the killings entered the Shaughnessy’s home in Austin in the early morning hours of March 2.
According to the affidavit, Corey Shaughnessy told investigators that she and her husband were awoken around 4 a.m. by the sound of their dogs barking.
Ted grabbed his handgun and got up to investigate. Less than a minute later, Corey heard gunfire so she grabbed her handgun and got up too.
She and the intruder exchanged gunfire until she ran out of ammunition; it is believed the suspect was injured in the exchange, authorities said. Corey then hid in the closet and called 911, remaining there until police came.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they discovered the body of 55-year-old Ted Shaughnessy with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:14 a.m., the affidavit states.
Kristen Dark, a public information officer for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed Tuesday that the suspect, or suspects, involved in the shooting are still at large.
Following Shaughnessy’s death, the family’s store, Gallerie Jewelers, was closed for a period of time but announced on Facebook April 27 it would be reopening May 1 and that Nicolas would be carrying on his father’s legacy at the store.
Gallerie Jewelers is an American Gem Society member store that has been in business since December 1995, according to its website, and was headed by Ted, who was an AGS Registered Jeweler (RJ), and Corey, who is a Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA).
No one answered the phone at the store on Tuesday.
More on Crime
The Latest
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
Lab-GrownMay 14, 2025
State of Diamonds: What’s Next for Lab-Grown Diamonds?While the product has entrenched itself in the market, retailers and consultants are assessing the next phase of the category’s development.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
BIJC Launches New Education FundBIJC President Malyia McNaughton will shift roles to lead the new foundation, and Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez will succeed her as president.
TrendsMay 13, 2025
State of Jewelry Design: The Top 10 Jewelry Trends of the Past DecadeAs a nod to the theme of JCK Las Vegas 2025, “Decades,” National Jeweler took a look back at the top 10 jewelry trends of the past 10 years.
Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
