Lothian Love Triangle Murders: Ann Anastasi Sentenced To 60 Years

ANNAPOLIS, MD -- Ann Marie Anastasi, 44, of Lothian, was sentenced to life in prison with all but 60 years suspended. The Anne Arundel County State's Attorney, Wes Adams, made the announcement Tuesday that Anastasi was sentenced for murdering her husband and a woman with whom they were having an ongoing sexual relationship.

Anastasi pleaded guilty on Dec. 7, 2016, to two counts of murder, as well as the use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence in the murder. The victims were her husband, Anthony Joseph Anastasi Jr., 40, and Jacqueline Irene Riggs, 25, who had been living with the Anastasis. Charging documents say both victims were killed Oct. 4, 2015.

Anastasi called the police on Oct. 5, 2015, to their home where she claimed her husband had committed suicide. Anastasi died from a .380-caliber gunshot wound to his upper body; while a Sig Sauer .45-caliber gun was found beside his body. This convinced authorities his death was not a suicide.

Riggs was found dead in the basement with multiple stab and cut wounds. Anastasi convinced Annapolis resident Gabriel Ezekiel Strauss, her 13-year-old daughter's 19-year-old boyfriend, to commit the murders.

A press release from the Office of the State's Attorney said that the Anastasis both had a sexual relationship with Riggs, "however, while Mr. Anastasi and Ms. Riggs continued their relationship, Mrs. Anastasi was no longer involved, thus creating strife within the household."

"Ann Anastasi destroyed multiple lives by coldly planning these murders and manipulating children into executing her vicious plan," Adams said. "Were it not for Mrs. Anastasi at the helm of this scheme the victims would still be alive today."

According to prosecutors, Anastasi planned the murders with her then 13-year-old daughter and Gabriel Struss. Struss pleaded guilty in June 2016 to charges including two counts of first-degree murder. His attorney called him "weak-minded," according to the Capital Gazette, as police alleged he was convinced by Anastasi and their 13-year-old daughter to commit the murders by falsely telling him Anthony Anastasi was an abusive man.

Multiple Charges Filed

Ann Anastasi was initially charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Her daughter was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and also accessory after the fact. She was remanded to the custody of a juvenile detention facility.

Police charged Struss with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit second degree murder and two counts of a firearm use in a felony crime of violence. Struss pleaded guilty in June 2016 to five charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, according to online court records.

Struss allegedly texted his girlfriend and Ann Anastasi that night about the killings, according to charging documents, warning the girl not to talk to police or he would spend the rest of his life in prison. Other texts showed the girl discussed taking the fall for the murders on behalf of Struss, police said.

Anne Arundel County Police say Riggs had been an associate of the family and had been romantically involved at times with both Anthony and Ann Anastasi. In the summer of 2015, Riggs moved into the basement of the Anastasi home in Lothian, and continued a relationship with Anthony Anastasi.
The Anastasi marriage was “fraught with conflict and domestic abuse,” according to charging documents, which caused tension within the residence.

In July 2016, Anastasi's attorneys sought to keep her statements -- along with a cellphone, clothing and DNA samples -- out of court. The Capital-Gazette reports that her lawyers argued Anastasi didn't talk to the police voluntarily and that she hadn't been advised of her Miranda Rights. But a judge ruled all the contested physical evidence collected from Anastasi would be allowed at her trial, including statements she made to police, except for one minute of questioning when she was detained by police.

Article image via Anne Arundel County Police