Ghost Adventures host Aaron Goodwin filed for divorce from wife Victoria Goodwin Wednesday in Clark County, Nevada, after investigators said she tried to have him killed with the help of a notorious Florida man convicted of murdering his family six years ago.
The filing came after authorities say Victoria, 32, sought to have Aaron, 48, murdered in a sinister plot of tainted love involving convicted murderer Grant Amato, 35.
Aaron petitioned the court to keep a separate residence from his estranged spouse and for the court to divide their community property, US Weekly reported after reviewing court docs, as Victoria faces a pair of murder-related charges in criminal court.
Attorneys for Aaron said in the court filing that ‘there is no possibility of reconciliation’ after Victoria – who last week was taken into custody and held on $100,000 bail – pretended as if she was happy in the marriage while forming a clandestine partnership with the convicted family killer Amato.
Aaron’s legal team said in the court filing that ‘the views, tastes, likes and dislikes of husband and wife have become incompatible to the extent that it has become impossible for them to live together … in marital harmony.’
Amato was convinced in the 2019 triple murder of his parents and brother in a dispute over $200,000 in missing money he spent on a webcam performer he was partial to. Amato crossed paths with Victoria as pen pals after she saw his deadly deeds in the 2024 Paramount+ true crime documentary CTRL+ALT+DESIRE.
Ghost Adventures host Aaron Goodwin, 48, filed for divorce from wife Victoria Goodwin, 32, on Wednesday in Clark County, Nevada. Pictured in May of 2022
Victoria sought the help of Grant Amato, 35, a notorious Florida man convicted of murdering his family six years ago
Victoria was arrested March 6 in connection with Solicitation to Commit Murder, and Murder Conspiracy, according to booking information in Clark County, Nevada.
Aaron previously told TMZ Tuesday that he felt ‘blindsided’ and has obtained a court order against her which forces her to stay away from him and refrain from contacting her over the next three months.
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The most recent post on Victoria’s Instagram page was choc with commenters expressing their beliefs on her character, amid the sharp allegations she tried to have her spouse violently murdered while pretending all was well.
‘His job is chasing demons, little did he know he was living with one,’ one commenter said. ‘Glad you got caught.’
Another said on the February post, ‘It takes a special kind of crazy to sit there and cuddle with a man you planned to have taken away.
‘From fans, friends, family, the world! Really glad that you’re behind bars and I’m praying for Aaron’s healing.
‘Oh, and to answer your question from that text message where you had the audacity to even ask- YES, you 1,000% are a bad person. But I think that goes without saying.’
One commenter asked, ‘Why not just get a divorce if you’re unhappy?’ while another said, ‘So is this before or after hiring a hitman? wtf.’
One user noted, ‘So first Aaron always gets sent off alone in the spooky areas while filming ghost adventures and then he comes home to his wife where he thinks he safe and then you try and kill the man??? Justice for my boy Aaron he deserves better.’
Attorneys for Aaron, pictured in October of 2022, said in the court filing that ‘there is no possibility of reconciliation’ after Victoria allegedly tried to have him murdered
Victoria, who investigators said plotted to murder her spouse, beamed as she wore a shirt with a cartoon rendition of the grim reaper on it during a trip to Hawaii with her estranged spose after she was plotting his killing with Amato, investigators said
Victoria, who has about 2,600 Instagram followers, frequently posts pics from her gym visits
Aaron’s legal team said in the court filing that ‘the views, tastes, likes and dislikes of husband and wife have become incompatible to the extent that it has become impossible for them to live together … in marital harmony’
Victoria appeared in court Tuesday to hear the charges against her, in the first legal hearing in what already appears to be one of the most sensational true crime cases in recent years.
Amato is currently serving a life sentence in a Florida prison facility in the 2019 triple shooting of his mother, father and brother.
Amato, a native of Chuluota, Florida, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of first-degree murder in the January 24, 2019 deaths of his parents Margaret and Chad Amato and brother Cody Amato.
The fatal shootings were spurred by the family’s efforts to stop Amato from communicating with a Bulgarian webcam model named Silvie who he was obsessed with, officials said, adding that Amato had stolen more than $200,000 from his late relatives to send to Silvie.
The jury did not recommend the death sentence in the case, but Amato – who denied committing the murders – received a life sentence, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Victoria was being held on $100,000 bail and remained in custody Monday evening in connection with her alleged plot against the Oregon-born Discovery Plus personality, who has more than 660,000 Instagram followers.
Victoria was arrested after authorities uncovered messages she exchanged with Amato, who she became aware of via a Paramount+ true crime documentary called CTRL+ALT+DESIRE.
Victoria began corresponding with Amato via letters, officials said, adding that she initiated the criminal discussion with the inmate as she reviewed ways in which she could escape the marital union.
It is not Amato’s first foray into the true crime limelight, as he is currently serving a life sentence in a Florida prison facility in the 2019 shooting of his family. Pictured in January 2019
Police cited text records Victoria exchanged with Amato, saying that at one point she asked him of her murderous intentions: ‘Am I a bad person? Because I chose to end his existence. Not divorce.’
Their marriage itself eerily began when they exchanged vows at Disneyland’s The Haunted Mansion in Anaheim, California in August of 2022.
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Victoria tried to get Aaron killed when he was on location taping his program with paranormal investigator Zak Bagans, according to the outlet. Dailymail.com has reached out to Bagans for comment on the story.
Victoria shared information of Aaron’s whereabouts as he filmed his show in California, authorities said. She committed to a deal in which she pledged to pay the hitman a total of $11,515, according to officials.
Amato, according to police, said to an associate, ‘He’s asleep right now in the hotel room … I need to know what’s going on. Can I get an update. Was it done?’
Police said that evidence exists Victoria committed to put a payment of $2,500 down for the murder of her spouse.
Police said that the criminal conduct was uncovered when the Amato’s phone was found and examined by prison officials in Florida, TMZ reported, citing law enforcement.
Victoria has denied trying to have Aaron murdered, police said, as she attributed the exchanges to ‘daydreaming or fantasizing about being without her husband.’
The pair were seen in Barbie-themed ensembles in a social media shot she posted in 2023
The couple initially exchanged vows in August of 2022 at Disneyland in Anaheim, California
More than two years later, police said Victoria initiated efforts to have her spouse murdered
Police said Victoria denied wanting to have her spouse murdered, according to the outlet, and that she claims sending the illegal messages calling for the death of her significant other.
Victoria told officers that she sent money to the alleged hitman intending to provide him with cell phones, TMZ reported.
Victoria admitted to police that she told the inmate her marriage was in distress.
Sources told TMZ that Aaron was ‘blindsided and devastated at this turn of events’ involving his wife, as he ‘thought he was in a happy marriage.’
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Bagans told the outlet that it has been emotional for his colleague, and that he’s ‘trying to give him love and support.’
As news broke about Victoria’s arrest on Monday, fans of the TV personality flooded his Instagram pages with remarks expressing both support and shock over the alleged murder plot.
‘Sending you love and light Aaron you’re a great guy,’ said one user. ‘I met you many times in the early GAC days and you were always the nicest most genuine guy.
‘Keep your head up, you are amazing, and you are loved by your family, friends and fans. #OGGAC.’
Another said, ‘So glad you’re ok. What an awful thing for your wife to do. I’m so sorry.’
Said one user: ‘Love you G. I am sorry this is all happening,’ while another said, ‘Hoping the best for you.’
It appeared that the TV star was unaware of his wife’s alleged scheming even four months after when police said she communicated with the inmate about the murder plot, as he posted a picture on Instagram on Valentine’s Day from a miniature golf outing with his spouse
Multiple users marveled at the unusual nature of the story, as the pair appeared to have a decent relationship on the surface
It appeared that the TV star was unaware of his wife’s alleged scheming even four months after when police said she communicated with the inmate about the murder plot.
Aaron posted a picture on Instagram on Valentine’s Day from a miniature golf outing, captioning the image, ‘My valentine always beats me at mini golf.’
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One user commented, ‘Well, this didn’t age well…’ while another said, ‘Is it true? Breaking news said she tried to hire someone to kill you..’
Said one user, ‘Aaron if you ever see this, I pray you are okay and well. My heart goes out to you. We must protect you at all costs!!’
Another added, ‘Damn so when did she get caught with murder to hire? wtf crazy.’
In addition to his Instagram account, Aaron also has more than 216.2K Followers on X/Twitter and 23.5K subscribers on his YouTube account.
Victoria, who remains in custody, has more than 2,121 followers on her Instagram account, in which she describes herself in her bio as an ‘athlete’ and ‘Rare Illness + C-PTSD Warrior.’
As news broke about Victoria’s arrest on Monday, fans of the TV personality flooded his Instagram pages with remarks expressing both support and shock over the alleged murder plot
In a comment thread of her Valentine’s Day golf outing, one user commented, ‘See, THIS is a great example of why you shouldn’t believe what you see on social media!!! It can be a completely different story in real life…. Damn!!’
In a comment thread of her Valentine’s Day golf outing, one user commented, ‘See, THIS is a great example of why you shouldn’t believe what you see on social media!!! It can be a completely different story in real life…. Damn!!’
Said another user, ‘Aaron deserved so much better than you.’
Victoria in December appeared on the podcast Motivational Talks with Ash. Dailymail.com has reached out to podcast host Ashley Platt for further comment on the story.
According to iMDb, Aaron has also worked on shows such as Space Detective, Ghost Adventures: Aftershocks, Deadly Possessions and Crimps.
According to his bio page on Travelchannel.com, Goodwin has been ‘referred to by many as a teddy bear, or Zak’s bait of choice, Aaron actually hates to be left alone in attics (or just about anywhere). You can also expect to hear him say “dude!” about 20 times per episode.
‘Always armed with a camera, Aaron travels around the world with the team to record what they experience in each haunted location.’
A Travel Channel logline for Ghost Adventures Crew reads, ‘Learn about our investigators, Zak Bagans and Aaron Goodwin, as they interview eyewitnesses and historians at each haunted location, arming themselves with the stories of the ghosts they will later provoke and confront during their dusk-to-dawn lockdowns.’