NEW LONDON, CT – A Connecticut man who admitted to murdering his wife and setting their residence ablaze following their mutual decision to pursue an open marriage was sentenced to 50 years in prison Wednesday.
George Dodson, 26, formerly with the U.S. Navy, confessed to the murder of his 23-year-old wife, Shelby Dodson, in a plea agreement reached in February. In addition, he pleaded guilty to arson and endangering the welfare of their toddler son, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
The tragic sequence of events unfolded in July 2022 when New London police responded to reports of a house fire at the Dodson residence. Upon extinguishing the blaze, firefighters uncovered Shelby’s body inside, showing severe trauma to her head and torso. Their 13-month-old son was found unharmed in his crib amidst the chaos.
Details from the police report, secured by local sources, revealed a chilling confession. Dodson allegedly admitted to a paramedic on the scene, “I did this, I killed her,” and he reiterated this admission post-Miranda rights reading.
The backstory, as pieced together from statements, involved the couple’s exploration of an open marriage. Dodson reportedly explained to authorities that his wife’s new romantic involvement with another man led him to a breaking point. “We opened up our relationship and she found another man she loved more,” Dodson reportedly stated, adding, “I could not stand the thought of it, so I killed her.”
In a heart-wrenching twist, Dodson confessed to originally intending to take both his own life and that of their son alongside his wife’s. After committing the murder with a hammer, he attempted suicide by slashing his throat, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
Upon his guilty plea, a judge handed down the lengthy prison sentence, underscoring the gravity of his actions and the permanency of the loss inflicted on the victim’s family. This devastating story serves as a grim reminder of the complexities and potential dangers inherent in navigating personal relationships.
Despite being sentenced, the case leaves open discussions regarding the emotional and psychological stresses that can accompany certain lifestyle choices. As Dodson begins his prison term, questions linger about what might have averted this tragic outcome.