A routine traffic stop in Charleston, South Carolina, in April 2013 set off a chain of events that exposed a calculated murder-for-hire scheme targeting a prominent member of the city’s social elite — and ultimately saved her life.
Aaron Wilkinson, a Kentucky man with a criminal record, was pulled over for driving erratically in one of Charleston’s rougher neighborhoods. Officers quickly learned he was operating a vehicle with an expired license and was a convicted felon. The discovery of a loaded handgun in his car escalated the situation. But what happened next stunned investigators even more.
Sitting in the back of the patrol car, Wilkinson voluntarily revealed that he had been recruited to kill someone.
He later said he felt compelled to come clean in that moment. The intended victim, he told authorities, was Nancy Latham — now known as Nancy Cannon — a respected real estate professional and member of the South Carolina Lottery Commission. At the time, she was locked in a contentious divorce from her husband, Chris Latham, one of Charleston’s highest-paid banking executives. The couple shared two daughters and were approaching a critical court hearing in their separation.
At the police station, Wilkinson provided further details. He said he had been enlisted by Samuel “Sammy” Yenawine, a man he met while both were incarcerated years earlier. Wilkinson had served time for forgery, while Yenawine had been imprisoned in connection with a homicide and arson case. Their relationship continued after their release.
Wilkinson claimed he initially believed he was traveling with Yenawine to South Carolina for a drug deal. It was only later, he said, that he realized they had been hired to carry out a murder. He described receiving a “hit packet” that included maps, surveillance-style details about Nancy’s daily routines, her vehicle information, and even instructions on how to access her home discreetly.
According to Wilkinson, the packet was provided by Wendy Moore, Yenawine’s ex-wife, who was working as Chris Latham’s executive assistant. Moore and Chris were also romantically involved. Wilkinson alleged that Moore supplied the materials and set a deadline tied to Nancy’s upcoming divorce hearing.
The plan briefly stalled when Yenawine returned to Kentucky after a personal dispute. Wilkinson, fearing he had become too entangled to walk away safely, returned to Charleston alone. His traffic stop soon after gave him what he later described as an opportunity to escape the situation.
Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the case. A search of Wilkinson’s hotel room uncovered the hit packet exactly where he said it would be. The documents contained detailed personal information about Nancy, including how she entered and exited her neighborhood and which grocery store she frequented.
Under law enforcement supervision, Wilkinson agreed to record a phone call with Yenawine. During the conversation, when Wilkinson expressed difficulty getting Nancy alone, Yenawine allegedly instructed him to kill anyone who might be with her.
Authorities quickly moved Nancy and her younger daughter into protective custody. Nancy later recalled feeling physically ill upon seeing a torn family photograph from the packet that featured only her and her child — a chilling signal of who was expected to be home during the planned attack.
Investigators gathered mounting evidence against Moore. Surveillance footage showed her purchasing a prepaid phone and renting a hotel room used by the alleged hitmen. Financial records revealed she had transferred money to Yenawine using an alias. Digital forensic analysis connected her workplace computer to documents found in the packet.
Attention eventually turned to Chris Latham. Investigators discovered he had searched for and printed maps of Nancy’s residence on the same day Wilkinson and Yenawine arrived in Charleston. Those maps were included in the materials recovered. Phone records also showed he had taken a photo of Nancy’s car that appeared in the packet.
Chris denied orchestrating the plot, claiming he gathered information solely for a private investigator as part of the divorce proceedings. Moore also denied involvement, insisting she never paid anyone to harm Nancy. Despite their claims, both were convicted. Moore received a 15-year sentence and was released in 2021. Chris was sentenced to 10 years and released in 2022.
Yenawine died by suicide before trial. Wilkinson received a four-year sentence.
On the eve of his sentencing, Nancy visited Wilkinson in jail to thank him. Though he had initially agreed to participate, his decision to speak up and cooperate with police prevented what could have been a deadly outcome.
In a case filled with betrayal and deception, the man hired to kill ultimately became the one who ensured Nancy lived to tell the story.
