What started as a night at a casino turned into a devastating explosion that killed two neighbors and left an Indianapolis community in shock. Moncy Shirley’s story, now featured in Netflix’s Worst Neighbor Ever, reveals how a plan for insurance money went horribly wrong.
Shirley moved from Puerto Rico to the mainland U. S. as a young adult, becoming a nurse and settling in the Richmond Hill neighborhood with her husband and daughter.
After their divorce in 2010, friends say her lifestyle shifted dramatically.
She met Mark Leonard at a bar called Crazy Street in November 2011. According to court records, he moved into her home within a month. Neighbors told producers of the docuseries that she seemed like a completely different person.
The couple quickly fell into financial trouble. Court documents show they accumulated $63,000 in credit card debt and took out additional mortgages on the home. They also lost thousands of dollars gambling at casinos.
In February 2012, Leonard allegedly suggested they burn down the house to collect $300,000 in insurance money. Shirley later testified that she thought the plan was crazy but agreed to go along with it, according to court transcripts.
The scheme involved removing gas valves and filling the home with natural gas. On November 10, 2012, Shirley and Leonard left for a casino after taking out valuables. A delayed timer set off the explosion later that night.
The blast killed next-door neighbors Dion and Jennifer Longworth. It destroyed 33 homes and injured 12 other people. Witnesses said they initially thought they were under attack.
Authorities first believed it was a natural gas accident. But investigators spotted missing valves and a melted microwave with a metal bottle inside. Shirley and the Leonard brothers were arrested in December 2012.
Shirley accepted a plea deal in 2015, pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit arson in exchange for testifying against the Leonard brothers. She received a 50-year prison sentence.
Mark Leonard was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 75 years. He died while incarcerated in 2018. His brother Bob Leonard received two life sentences without parole.
Shirley is currently serving time at Madison Correctional Facility in Indiana. Her projected release date is September 9, 2036.
What makes someone trade everything for a quick payout? The full story behind the Richmond Hill explosion still sparks debate.
