Kelli Underwood murder occurred in 2017 when a daughter found her mother’s dead body inside the North Texas house. 

In 2017, Kayden Graham found her mother, Kelli Underwood, dead in her North Texas home after she grew concerned when her mother didn’t respond to her calls for three days.

Upon arrival, Graham discovered Underwood bleeding on the floor and called for help.

The documentary “Mean Girl Murders: Desperate Texas Housewives,” airing on Investigation Discovery, delves into the investigation and eventual conviction of those responsible for the murder.

How Did She Die?

Kelli Underwood, a beloved member of the Princeton, Texas, community, tragically passed away at the young age of 46. 

She was a devoted mother of three and had a special bond with her children, but her daughter Kayden had recently moved out before her death.

During the police investigation of Kelli Underwood’s murder case, it was revealed that she had a history of tumultuous relationships and had an on-again, off-again connection with Tiffany Welborn’s ex-husband in the days leading up to her passing.

However, those who knew Kelli spoke of her kind and helpful nature and her reputation as a respected member of the community. 

She worked at a local metal fabrication company and lived independently, with Kayden keeping a watchful eye on her mother’s health.

Kayden became worried when she was unable to reach her mother for several days and decided to check on her at her home on September 20, 2017.

She discovered her mother lying unconscious in a second-floor room, with blood pouring from her head.

Kelli’s body was cold to the touch, and Kayden quickly called 911 for help.

Despite the best efforts of first responders, they found Kelli already gone when they arrived on the scene.

The police conducted an investigation, which revealed that someone had fatally shot and stabbed Kelli between the evening of September 16 and the morning of September 17.

Despite her body having been inside the house for several days, the initial medical examination revealed numerous stab and gunshot wounds.

It was clear that Kelli’s death was the result of a violent homicide, and the police launched an investigation to find those responsible.

The tragic death of Kelli Underwood shocked the Princeton community, and her loved ones were left devastated by the loss of such a kind and caring person. 

The investigation into her death would ultimately lead to the conviction of those responsible, but the pain of her loss would be felt for years to come.

Who Killed Kelli Underwood?

During the investigation into Kelli Underwood’s murder, the police uncovered information about her medical history. 

They discovered that she had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor in 2001, which led to her experiencing depression and partial paralysis. 

Kelli’s high school friend, Tiffany Welborn, came to her rescue, inviting her and her daughter, Kayden, to live with her and her husband, Ronnie Welborn, in Princeton, Texas. However, things took a dark turn soon after.

Kelli worked at Ronnie’s metal fabrication business, and their close friendship soon turned into an affair. 

Tiffany initially tried to ignore the signs, but eventually, she served Ronnie with divorce papers. 

This allowed Kelli to pursue her relationship with Ronnie, and she continued to live with him even after Tiffany moved away.

Ronnie and Kelli had an on-and-off relationship, which he was not happy with.

Around this time, Ronnie met Kadie Robinson, a younger woman, and the two started a passionate romance. 

Within a few months, Kadie became pregnant with Ronnie’s baby, and they planned to start a new life together.

However, Kadie was jealous of Kelli and hated that she was still friends with Ronnie. The police believed that jealousy was a motive for murder, but they had no evidence linking Kadie or Ronnie to Kelli’s death.

During the investigation, the police interviewed Kelli’s neighbors and found out that Robert Veal and Delvin Powell were the last to see Kelli alive. 

Robert and Delvin claimed they were doing maintenance work at Kelli’s house and that she was still alive when they left.

However, when the police collected DNA samples from the crime scene, they matched Robert and Delvin’s DNA. 

Further investigations revealed that Robert was in constant contact with Kadie and had even received money from Ronnie to kill Kelli.

The police brought Kadie in for questioning again, and she eventually confessed that Ronnie had paid Robert and Delvin around $8,000 in cash to kill Kelli.

She claimed she wasn’t involved in planning the murder, but her phone records proved otherwise.

The police arrested all four suspects and charged them with murder.

Where Are Robert Veal and Delvin Powell Now?

When they appeared before the judge, Robert and Delvin pleaded not guilty and continued to assert their innocence.

However, in 2020, a jury found them guilty of capital murder, and the judge sentenced them to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Meanwhile, the two other perpetrators of the heinous crime, Ronnie Welborn and Kadie Robinson, pleaded guilty. 

Ronnie received a life sentence, while Kadie was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Delvin Powell is currently serving his sentence at the Jim Ferguson Unit.

Which is located in unincorporated Madison County, Texas, while Robert Veal is serving his sentence at the O. B. Ellis Unit situated in unincorporated Walker County, Texas. They have no chance of parole.