Maryland Woman Convicted for Murdering and Dismembering Her Mother with Chainsaw After Argument

A Maryland woman was convicted on Friday of murdering her 71-year-old mother and enlisting her daughter to help dismember the body using a chainsaw.Candace Craig, 46, was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and improperly disposing of a body.

Reports indicate that in 2023, Margaret Craig, 71, had an argument with her daughter, Candace, over fraudulent credit card charges.

In a fit of anger, Candace choked her mother to death, then dismembered the body and burned the remains in a barbecue grill.

After several days without anyone hearing from or seeing Margaret, a concerned individual contacted the police to request a welfare check.

When officers arrived at the home on the 200 block of Hill Road, Candace answered the door and permitted them to enter.

As they proceeded to the basement, the officers quickly detected a foul odor of decomposition and blood near three white plastic trash bags. Inside one of the opened bags, they found what appeared to be brain matter along with dismembered remains believed to belong to Margaret.

A forensic investigator confirmed the presence of human remains within the bags. Additionally, investigators discovered a chainsaw with human remains on it, along with cutting tools, cleaning supplies, and blood spatter throughout the basement.

Candace was arrested and taken into custody, where she remains as she awaits sentencing.

Candace Craig’s 19-year-old granddaughter, Salia Hardy, pleaded guilty earlier this year to being an accessory to murder after the fact and is also awaiting sentencing.