In a tragic and unsettling case that has profoundly impacted the Maryland community, Candace Craig, 46, was sentenced on February 20, 2025, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder and dismemberment of her 71-year-old mother, Margaret Craig.
The harrowing events unfolded in May 2023 when an argument erupted between Candace and her mother over fraudulent credit card charges. Prosecutors revealed that after the confrontation, Candace attacked and killed Margaret. In an attempt to conceal the crime, she enlisted the help of her then 19-year-old daughter, Salia Hardy. Together, they dismembered Margaret's body using a chainsaw and tried to dispose of the remains by burning them on a grill and in a backyard bonfire.
The crime came to light when concerned relatives, unable to contact Margaret, requested a welfare check. Upon entering the residence, authorities were met with a gruesome scene: decomposing remains in trash bags, blood spatter, and cutting tools in the basement.
During the trial, which concluded in November 2024, Hardy testified against her mother after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact. Her cooperation was pivotal in securing Candace's conviction on charges of first-degree murder, evidence tampering, and unauthorized disposal of a body.
This case has left an indelible mark on the local community, highlighting the devastating consequences of familial conflict and financial misconduct. Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy expressed the community's collective grief, stating, "Words cannot express how devastated I was when I heard about this case, how angry I was, how committed my office was to getting justice."