LAS VEGAS — To the outside world, George Tiaffay was the personification of the American dream. A West Point graduate, a brave Las Vegas firefighter, and a devoted father. But behind the polished exterior and the “fireman pinup” smile lay a cold-blooded strategist who orchestrated one of the most chilling murder-for-hire plots in Nevada history.
A Life Extinguished in the Dark
In the early hours of September 29, 2012, Shauna Tiaffay, 46, finished her shift as a cocktail waitress at the Palms Casino. Exhausted after a long night of work, she drove home and entered her house through the garage, moving quietly so as not to wake anyone. She never made it to her bed.
Lurking in the shadows of her hallway was a man armed with a hammer. In a savage attack, Shauna was beaten to death. The violence was so extreme that her fingers were broken as she tried to shield her face, and the handle of the murder weapon eventually snapped.
Hours later, George Tiaffay placed a frantic 911 call, claiming he had discovered his wife’s body after stopping by with their 8-year-old daughter.
The “Perfect” Alibi Crumbles
Initially, investigators were stumped. George had been on a 24-hour shift at the fire station during the murder, giving him a rock-solid alibi. But the “random break-in” theory quickly began to dissolve.
The breakthrough came from a maintenance worker named William “Big Will” Pennix. He informed police that a homeless man he knew as “Greyhound”—real name Noel Stevens—had bragged about murdering a woman with a hammer for a large sum of money.
When police located Stevens’ campsite in the desert, they found blood-soaked pants. DNA testing confirmed the blood was Shauna’s.
The Mastermind and the Hitman
The most shocking discovery came from Stevens’ phone records: he had been in contact with George Tiaffay 87 times in the month leading up to the murder.
The investigation revealed a dark partnership:
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The Connection: George had met Stevens years prior and frequently hired him for odd jobs.
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The Rehearsal: Three weeks before the murder, a “burglary” occurred at Shauna’s home where her wedding ring and underwear were stolen. This was a dry run orchestrated by George to test Stevens’ access to the house.
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The Paper Trail: Surveillance footage from a Lowe’s store caught George and Stevens together purchasing the hammer, knives, and gloves used in the crime.
Motive: Greed and Control
While George and Shauna were separated, Shauna was hopeful for a reconciliation and had even persuaded George to attend marriage counseling. However, prosecutors argued George’s motive was purely financial. Hit hard by the Great Recession and resentful of Shauna’s $100,000-a-year income and spending habits, George decided that murder was a cheaper alternative to divorce.
Justice Served
In a desperate attempt to escape justice, George crashed his truck into a concrete barrier at 90 mph shortly after police interviewed his family. He survived the suicide attempt only to face a jury.
In 2015, bolstered by Noel Stevens’ testimony, George Tiaffay was convicted of first-degree murder. During the trial, Stevens testified that George had even suggested killing Shauna at the casino or staging a car accident, but they ultimately settled on the home ambush.
George Tiaffay was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Today, the daughter they shared is grown, having been raised by her grandmother. The case remains a haunting reminder that sometimes the most dangerous predator isn’t a stranger in the shadows, but the person who promised to love and protect you.
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