Grisly Murder Trial: Daughter Testifies Against Mother in Dismemberment Case
HYATTSVILLE, Md. — A harrowing trial unfolded this week in Prince George’s County as Salia Hardy, the daughter of the accused, testified about her involvement in the 2023 murder and dismemberment of her grandmother, 71-year-old Margaret Craig. Salia, who pled guilty to accessory after the fact, detailed the chilling events during her mother Candace Craig’s trial.
On May 23, 2023, Salia recounted hearing her grandmother scream from her bedroom. Despite her instinct to help, her mother ordered her not to enter the room, instructing her to consider her sisters if any consequences arose. After feeling compelled to enter the room days later, Salia discovered her grandmother’s body stuffed in a bin with a trash bag over her face and blood on the carpet.
The trial revealed a disturbing series of actions following the murder. Salia testified that her mother showed her self-inflicted scratches and later prompted them to buy items like charcoal and gasoline, ostensibly to burn the body in their backyard. However, the plan failed as flames caught neighbors’ attention, leading to the fire department’s intervention. In the aftermath, Candace ordered a chainsaw online and began dismembering Margaret’s body the next day.
An autopsy, described by Maryland Assistant Medical Examiner Dr. Pamela Ferreira as "unique," revealed 67 segments of remains, all showing signs of burn and mechanical dismemberment. Ultimately, Margaret Craig’s death was ruled a homicide with undetermined means.
The trial continues Thursday morning with further testimony from Salia Hardy, providing insight into one of Maryland’s most gruesome recent murder cases.
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