‘Dateline NBC’: Who killed Scott Horn? Inside a story of adultery, betrayal and the slaying of an FBI agent
LAUREL, MARYLAND: Scott Horn, a retired FBI agent, was found brutally murdered outside his home in Laurel, Maryland, on March 16, 2017. His son discovered his body, which had a gunshot wound to the neck and signs of severe beating with a piece of firewood. The investigation quickly focused on Scott's estranged wife, Anne Reed Allen.
The couple was going through a bitter divorce, and the dynamic inside the home had been tense. Anne was accused of killing Scott due to their ongoing disputes, which included financial and property disagreements. She was charged with first and second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and the use of a handgun in a crime.
Prosecutors alleged that Anne had shot Scott and then brutally beaten him to death. They believed she had motives related to financial gain from Scott's life insurance and rental properties. Despite the serious charges and the circumstantial evidence pointing towards her, Anne's defense argued that she was physically incapable of committing such a violent act and highlighted the lack of direct physical evidence tying her to the murder.
After an 18-month wait, Anne was acquitted by a jury in November 2018. The case remains officially unsolved, but the trial and the surrounding details suggest a tragic end resulting from a deeply troubled relationship, which will again be visited by 'Dateline NBC' this Sunday.
Who was Scott Horn?
Scott Horn was a dedicated FBI agent with a 23-year career, initially handling high-risk cases such as drug busts, kidnappings, and bank robberies. Seeking a more family-friendly role, he later transferred to a unit conducting background checks for government job applicants.
Married to Anne Reed Allen, a nurse at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Scott was a devoted father to their two children, Riley and Kelly. He ensured his children were well taken care of, managing household duties and maintaining a disciplined routine even in retirement. Known as a "good cop" by colleagues and friends, Scott was praised for his honesty, kindness, and dedication.
Tragically, on March 16, 2017, Scott was found beaten and shot outside his Laurel, Maryland home. The gunshot wound to his neck was not fatal, but he was beaten to death with a piece of firewood. His body was discovered by his son Riley, deeply shocking the family.
How was Scott Horn found dead?
Scott Horn was found dead on the night of March 16, 2017, outside his home in Laurel, Maryland. His body was discovered by his son, Riley. Scott had been shot in the neck, but the gunshot wound was not fatal.
Instead, he died from being severely beaten with a piece of firewood. Investigators believe the firewood was then burned in a nearby wood-burning stove to destroy the weapon. Scott's body was located near this stove, which he had installed himself as part of his home's heating system.
Who was the prime suspect in Scott Horn’s death?
The prime suspect in Scott Horn's death was his estranged wife, Anne Reed Allen. On the day Scott was found dead, Anne was discovered inside their home and claimed she hadn't seen Scott since early that morning. Anne described Scott as someone who gambled frequently, although his daughter disputed this claim. Investigators found evidence suggesting Anne's involvement in the crime.
For instance, they alleged that she would have had to step over Scott's body to put wood into the stove, contradicting her statement that she hadn't seen him. Additionally, wood chips with Scott's DNA were found in the washing machine, indicating an attempt to clean up the crime scene. Anne and Scott's relationship was reportedly turbulent, with a history of domestic disputes.
At the time of Scott's death, they were going through a contentious divorce, which some believed provided a possible motive for the murder. Prosecutors argued that Anne killed Scott to benefit from his life insurance and rental properties. However, during her trial, her defense highlighted the lack of physical evidence directly linking her to the murder, and she was eventually acquitted of all charges.
Scott Horn’s daughter Kelly described mother Anne as ‘erratic and violent’
Scott Horn's daughter, Kelly, described her mother, Anne Reed Allen, as erratic and sometimes violent. Kelly recounted incidents from her childhood that illustrated this behavior. For example, after borrowing her mother’s heels and keeping a secret Facebook account, Anne punished Kelly by making her sleep in the hallway for months.
When Scott tried to intervene, Kelly claimed Anne pulled out a handgun, threatening, “We made an agreement, you said I’m taking care of the kids and if you get in my way there’s going to be a problem.”Kelly also described the general atmosphere at home as tense and unpredictable.
She said, "It got to the point where there were locks on everyone’s doors, on the outside and on the inside.” These experiences led Kelly to believe that her mother had a capacity for violence, which contributed to her conviction that Anne was responsible for her father's murder.
When was Anne found guilty?
Anne Reed Allen, Scott Horn's estranged wife, was charged with first and second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime. Prosecutors alleged that Anne killed Scott for a life insurance payout and to benefit from his rental properties.
Despite these accusations, Anne was found not guilty by a Prince George's County jury in November 2018, after spending 18 months awaiting trial. The jury acquitted her of all charges due to a lack of conclusive evidence connecting her to the murder.
