Pigs, a nun, and a ‘good bottle of bourbon’: Bizarre murder for hire plot uncovered in New York state

In reads more like a Hollywood screenplay than a real-life crime: Federal authorities have uncovered a shocking murder-for-hire plot in New York state that involved pigs, a nun, and an offer to settle the score for $1k and a “good bottle of bourbon.”

At the heart of this twisted saga is 57-year-old Jeal Sutherland of Colonie, New York, who pleaded guilty to orchestrating a diabolical scheme to eliminate a romantic rival. The man he targeted was the father of a child with Sutherland’s then-partner. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Sutherland used his cell phone over several months to arrange the hit.

Here’s where the hog farmer enters the chat

Sutherland allegedly promised to forgive a debt in exchange for the murder and even enlisted the help of someone who ended up informing the authorities. The plan was to dispose of the victim’s body on a Pennsylvania farm by feeding it to pigs.

In another particularly grisly episode, Sutherland directed an accomplice to deliver a dead Canada goose to the victim’s mother’s doorstep. Inside the bird’s beak was a handwritten threat, designed to send a bone-chilling message. Authorities arrested Sutherland on January 27, 2025, before the murder could take place. He has remained in custody ever since. He could spend up to 10 years in prison.

And yes, somehow, a nun got involved

One of the more bizarre twists in this already grotesque tale is the alleged involvement of a nun. Sutherland reportedly told the informant, “I have a van I can rent for like $250 from a nun. We take him to a farm and let the hogs eat him.”

This peculiar blend of small-town vengeance, misplaced trust, and a plan to use farm animals for corpse disposal has drawn nationwide attention.

U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said in a statement, “Jeal Sutherland hatched a vicious plot to kill a romantic rival and intimidate his victim’s family. Thanks to the quick work of the FBI and our office, his sinister plan was stopped in time”.

Meanwhile, FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added in part, “Mr. Sutherland’s diabolical plot intended to violently end a man’s life and intimidate his family. Thanks to the swift actions taken by FBI Albany and our law enforcement partners, that plan never came to fruition, and Mr. Sutherland was quickly arrested and remains in custody.”