Maryland Woman Sentenced to Life for Killing Her Mother, Then Attempting to Dismember Her Body

Candace Craig, 46, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was convicted of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and illegally disposing of a body and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the killing of her 71-year-old mother, Margaret Craig. Police discovered Margaret’s decomposing remains stuffed in trash bags in the basement of the family home after a neighbor reported her missing. When officers arrived for a welfare check on June 2, 2023, they encountered a putrid smell and found what appeared to be brain matter in an open trash bag, along with a chainsaw covered in human remains, cutting utensils, and cleaning materials in the basement. A medical examiner testified that her office received “67 segments of remains,” with evidence of burning and mechanical dismemberment.

Motive and the Cover-Up

Prosecutors said the murder stemmed from a financial dispute: Margaret had accused Candace of stealing money from her bank account. Candace’s daughter, Salia Hardy, 21, testified that on May 23, 2023, she heard her grandmother scream from another room, then found Margaret’s body in a blue bin with a trash bag over her head and blood soaking the carpet. Hardy said Candace told her they needed to dispose of the body and offered three options: acid, burning, or “chopping it up.”

Hardy testified that she and her mother went to Home Depot to buy grilling supplies and gasoline, and that Candace attempted to burn Margaret’s body in the backyard. The fire grew too large and drew neighbors’ attention, prompting the fire department to respond. The next day, Candace ordered a chainsaw online and used it to dismember the remains in the basement. When asked in court why she helped her mother, Hardy replied: “Because my mother asked me.”

Daughter’s Plea and Sentencing

Salia Hardy pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and was sentenced to five years of supervised probation under a plea deal. Candace Craig received life without the possibility of parole.

References: Woman Who Grilled Mom’s Remains, Cut Her Up With Chainsaw Sentenced | Daughter of Md. woman accused of killing, dismembering elderly mother testifies Wednesday | Daughter testifies in murder trial of mother accused of dismembering, grilling grandmother | Daughter testifies in mom’s trial, detailing grisly murder of grandmother at Hyattsville home