Who Is Arieon Smith & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update & Background

Arieon Smith entered the Shaughnessy case as the final — and most critical — piece of the murder-for-hire puzzle. A Fort Worth resident with a prior criminal record, Smith had known Johnny Leon from a past drug-related arrest. Their prior association became significant when Leon, already in contact with Nicolas Shaughnessy, brought Smith into the plan to kill Nick’s parents.

Unlike some of the others involved, Smith did not initially appear in police records tied to the early investigation. His name surfaced later through forensic analysis of Leon’s phone, which revealed a pattern of communication around the time of the murder. Police traced those contacts and learned that Smith had been in Austin during the night of the killing. That discovery marked a major turn in the case.

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The Night of the Murder

On March 2, 2018, Smith and Leon entered the Shaughnessy home through a window left open in Nick’s old bedroom. Using a .40 caliber pistol that had once belonged to Ted Shaughnessy, they ambushed the sleeping couple in the early morning hours. As Ted rose from bed to investigate the disturbance, he was met with a barrage of bullets. He was shot multiple times and died near the kitchen.

Corey Shaughnessy returned fire with her own weapon, forcing the intruders to retreat. While she survived, one of the family’s dogs was also killed in the gunfire. Evidence collected from the scene, including ammunition and casings, later tied directly to Smith and Leon. The murder weapon — a gun missing from the family’s home — would ultimately be recovered based on Smith’s confession.

Arrest and Emotional Confession

Once identified, Arieon Smith was brought in for questioning by Travis County investigators. What followed was a striking display of emotion and regret. In a recorded interview, Smith admitted that he had been present during the killing and revealed that he was the one who pulled the trigger. His statement was not one of denial, but of remorse. He openly wept during the interview, expressing confusion and despair over what he had done.

Smith not only confirmed his role in the shooting but also provided critical details that aligned with the timeline established by other evidence. He led investigators to the murder weapon — the .40 caliber handgun — which had been missing since the day of the crime. That single action helped solidify the case against all parties involved.

At one point during questioning, Smith made a chilling request: he asked to be sentenced to death. “I killed somebody, I deserve to die,” he told detectives. It was a startling admission from a man who, despite his criminal record, had never before been tied to a murder. His raw emotion stood in contrast to the cold calculation of the plot’s mastermind.

Sentencing and Current Status

Like Nicolas Shaughnessy and Johnny Leon, Smith ultimately accepted a plea deal to avoid trial. In April 2021, he pleaded guilty to murder in exchange for a 35-year prison sentence. He will be eligible for parole after serving half his term.

Arieon Smith is now housed within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system. He has not spoken publicly since his conviction. Unlike Leon or Jaclyn Edison, Smith expressed a degree of accountability during his interrogation. Though the court sentenced him for his actions, investigators acknowledged that Smith’s cooperation helped complete the investigation.

Role in the Larger Case

Smith’s role was decisive. While Nicolas Shaughnessy conceived the plan and Leon facilitated it, Smith carried out the fatal act. He killed Ted Shaughnessy with a stolen weapon — one Nick had set aside for the purpose. His willingness to participate, despite clear regret after the fact, cemented the attack as more than an idea. It became a tragedy.

For Corey Shaughnessy, the man who pulled the trigger represents the most direct link to her husband’s death. While Nick’s betrayal as a son is the emotional heart of the story, Smith is the figure who ensured the plan succeeded. His confession provided resolution, but it could never reverse what was taken that night.

Arieon Smith’s story is a reminder that even those who show remorse cannot undo their choices. His actions ended a life, destroyed a family, and sent him to prison for decades. While he may one day leave his cell, the weight of what he did will follow him for life.