A shocking case out of Virginia has left a community stunned after a 44-year-old woman allegedly admitted to killing her elderly father. Authorities say Jennifer Mulligan openly confessed to shooting her 90-year-old father in the head and told a 911 dispatcher she did it “on purpose.”
The case has now moved to court, where disturbing details are coming to light.
The Tragic Shooting
On May 7, Virginia Beach police responded to a 911 call just after 11 a.m. at a home on Rodney Lane, about 100 miles southeast of Richmond. Inside, they found 90-year-old Woodward McClure dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
According to police, his daughter, Jennifer Mulligan, was taken into custody without resistance. Investigators described the case as a domestic-related incident.
The 911 Call Confession
During a preliminary hearing, prosecutors played Mulligan’s chilling 911 call. When the dispatcher asked why she was calling, Mulligan responded, “I just shot my dad.” When asked if it was an accident, she said bluntly, “It was on purpose.”
In the eight-minute call, Mulligan accused her father of being a “child predator” and a rapist. She claimed he was “not a good person,” making several serious allegations as she spoke to the dispatcher.
Evidence and Autopsy Findings
Court testimony revealed that the gun had been pressed directly against McClure’s forehead when the shot was fired. An officer at the scene confirmed McClure was already dead when authorities arrived.
Claims of Abuse
Mulligan later told detectives her actions were tied to years of abuse. She accused her father of physically and emotionally mistreating her and her siblings since childhood. According to her, this continued even after McClure moved in with her two years ago when his Texas nursing home closed.
“I did what I had to do to take care of the agony,” Mulligan allegedly told investigators.
Her defense attorney, Roger Whitus, said past abuse, along with day-to-day tensions in the household, will be part of her defense. He noted that family members have backed up her claims of long-standing mistreatment.
Defense Strategy
Whitus explained that Mulligan’s frustrations grew from daily conflicts, including how her father treated her, her family, and even their pets. He added that cleanliness issues and resurfacing trauma from earlier abuse likely pushed her to a breaking point.
Current Status
Jennifer Mulligan is facing first-degree murder and firearm charges. She is being held without bond as the case moves forward. Her next court date has not yet been set.
This case raises painful questions about the long-term impact of abuse and how trauma can resurface years later. While prosecutors see a cold-blooded killing, the defense argues Mulligan’s actions came from decades of suffering.
As the case continues, the court will decide whether this was murder without excuse or an act driven by unbearable pain.
