Plotted To Kill Ex-Girlfriend While Dressed Up In Dead Bear's Carcas

Malone, N.Y.  - Clyde Gardner, a 57-year-old New York man, was sentenced to 15 years in jail after he plotted to kill his ex-girlfriend while dressed up in a dead bear's carcass.

According to prosecutors, Gardner had a unique idea when it came to murdering his ex-girlfriend. Kill a bear, skin it, then use the dead bear's carcass to cover himself and make it appear as though the bear killed the woman.

Gardner even plotted to keep the bear's paws intact, so that he could use the bear's claws to slash the woman to death.

Investigators say Gardner staked out the woman's home, watching her moves with a pair of binoculars. He began the plot after his girlfriend kicked him out of the house. The couple reportedly had one child during their five-year relationship.

After determining that his bear plot would first require finding and killing a bear, Gardner changed his plan and instead attempted to hire a hit man.

Detectives believe Gardner offered a friend $15,000 to murder his ex-girlfriend by crashing a vehicle into hers. Gardner, who is an experienced demolition derby driver, told the would-be hit man that if the car accident didn't kill the woman, he should use a piece of glass to slice her throat.

Fortunately, the man Gardner tried to hire went to police instead.

During sentencing, Gardner stated that he was drunk while making the offer and would have called off the plan after he sobered up.

Gardner was sentenced to 15-years in jail after pleading guilty to second-degree conspiracy. He is also barred from contacting the woman until 2031.