Corbin man arrested for offering money to have local woman killed

Tristan Hall

A Corbin man, whom state police say posted a message on the popular Topix website offering to pay money to have a person killed.

Tristan Hall, 29, turn himself in to state police Thursday afternoon and is being held without bond in the Whitley County Detention Center on one count of criminal solicitation to commit murder.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Don Trosper, public affairs officer at Post 11 in London, said detectives began an investigation soon after the alleged victim, became aware of the post on the Corbin Topix website and contacted them.

Trosper said in the post, the individual, later identified as Hall, reportedly offered thousands of dollars to anyone who would kill the victim.

“We don’t know if anyone answered it,” Trosper said. “No attempt was made on the victim’s life.”

Trosper declined to identify the victim, but court documents reveal Melissa Jones was the intended target. He added that Hall and Jones do have a personal connection and that the victim is local, but he did not have details on how they knew each other.

According to a warrant issued for Hall’s arrest on May 15, he made the Topix post under the name "Serious as a Heart Attack" and "stated that he will pay someone $5,000 cash for the murder and concealment of Melissa Jones (aka Melissa Davis) body and will pay up front and the other half once the job is complete …" Also listed was an email where he could be reached.

As to a possible motive, Trosper said there are no details in the post and Hall did not offer any information when interviewed by detectives.

“He invoked his right to remain silent,” Trosper said of Hall.

Trosper said while it took time, detectives were able to obtain the necessary information to trace the post back to Hall.

“There is nothing anonymous in the Internet,” Trosper said. “We can track you if needed.”

Hall is facing one count of criminal facilitation to commit murder. Under Kentucky law, the charge is a class B felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of 10 to 20 years.

KSP Detective Richie Baxter investigatd the case.