Man who bludgeoned wife, set fire to family home sentenced
Share and Follow

Background: Shelby Dodson and her son (GoFundMe). Inset: George Dodson (New London Police Department).

A Connecticut man who admitted to murdering his wife and setting their home on fire after they agreed to an open marriage has been sentenced to decades in prison.

George Dodson, 26, a former member of the U.S. Navy, pleaded guilty in February to the 2022 murder of his wife, 23-year-old Shelby Dodson, according to a press release from the state’s attorney’s office. He also pleaded guilty to arson as well as endangering the life of the couple’s toddler. According to a police report obtained by local news outlet CT Insider, George Dodson told a paramedic at the scene of the fire, “I did this, I killed her.” The report stated that he made the same confession after being read his Miranda rights.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

According to local NBC affiliate WVIT, the police report said that George Dodson revealed that he and his wife had agreed to an open marriage. He reportedly told officers, “We opened up our relationship and she found another man she loved more, and I could not stand the thought of it, so I killed her.”

According to prosecutors, New London police responded to reports of a fire at the family’s home on July 20, 2022. While firefighters were able to put the fire out, they found the body of Shelby Dodson inside with “significant trauma to her head and torso.” Also inside was the couple’s then-13-month-old son, who was in his crib while the fire raged. He was safely removed from the home.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

DOJ Warns of ‘Grave’ Consequences as Abrego Garcia Seeks Unprecedented Sanctions Against Trump Administration Over Fox News Comments

The Dec. 12, 2025, Fox News segment and Border Patrol Chief Gregory…

Tragic Shooting: Man Allegedly Kills Girlfriend as Children Witness Horror

Tatianna Ehnes-Giles and her two children (GoFundMe). A tragic incident unfolded in…

LAPD Urgently Seeks Public’s Help to Identify Young Boy Found with Dog in Botched Car Theft

In a peculiar twist of events, a young boy and a dog…

Bryan Kohberger’s Unsettling Store Behavior Caught on Video Following Idaho Quadruple Murders

Newly unveiled video captures Bryan Kohberger, the individual charged in the tragic…

Tragic Incident: Atlanta Officer Allegedly Takes Life of Girlfriend in Post-Holiday Murder-Suicide

Tragedy struck an Atlanta police officer’s life during the festive season, as…

Shocking Fertility Error: Hospital Mix-Up Leaves Couple’s Child with Stranger’s Genes and Medical Issues

Background: Oregon Health and Science University (KYW/YouTube). Inset: Medical equipment used in…

DNA on Firearm Links Colorado Mother Kimberlee Singler to Double Homicide of Her Children

In a chilling turn of events, the blood discovered on a weapon…

Teen Road Rage Incident: 81-Year-Old Driver Attacked After Slowing Down in Response to Tailgating

Inset: Oliver McSorley (Pewaukee Police Department). Background: The intersection where a road…