Diana Lovejoy is serving a 26-year-to-life prison sentence at the Central California Women's Facility for orchestrating a botched murder-for-hire plot against her ex-husband, Greg Mulvihill, in 2016. Her co-conspirator and shooting instructor, Weldon McDavid Jr., received a 50-year-to-life sentence for firing the shot that wounded Mulvihill in Carlsbad, California.
The case drew national media attention, including features on Dateline NBC, because of its bizarre setup, bitter custody battle, and the involvement of a firearms instructor turning lethal.
The Background of the Marriage and Custody Dispute
Diana Lovejoy and Greg Mulvihill married and had a son together. By 2016, their relationship dissolved into a deeply contentious divorce and an aggressive custody dispute. Court battles centered on shared parenting time and financial support.
Initially, Lovejoy held primary custody. However, subsequent family court hearings shifted the dynamic toward shared custody and ordered modifications to financial arrangements. Investigators later uncovered that Lovejoy panicked at the prospect of sharing joint custody and sought a permanent way to eliminate Mulvihill from the equation.
The 2016 Carlsbad Ambush Plot
During her divorce proceedings, Lovejoy took firearms training lessons from Weldon McDavid Jr, a former Marine and gun instructor. The professional relationship quickly turned romantic. Together, they hatched a conspiracy to murder Mulvihill.
On September 4, 2016, Mulvihill received a phone call from an individual posing as a private investigator. The caller claimed to possess sensitive documents and evidence regarding alleged abuse that could help Mulvihill in the ongoing custody litigation.
The caller lured Mulvihill to an isolated, dark area off a Carlsbad road under the guise of handing over this file. When Mulvihill arrived and searched the area, McDavid lay in wait nearby in the brush, armed with a rifle. McDavid fired a single shot that struck Mulvihill under his right armpit.
Despite severe internal injuries, Mulvihill managed to retreat, find help, and survive the attack.
Investigation, Arrest, and Trial
Law enforcement immediately scrutinized the strange circumstances of the ambush. Investigators traced communications, burner phones, and financial trails linking Lovejoy to McDavid. Evidence showed Lovejoy paid McDavid thousands of dollars around the time of the shooting.
Authorities arrested both Lovejoy and McDavid in late 2016. Their joint criminal trial in San Diego County exposed the meticulous planning behind the ambush, including text messages, surveillance footage, and testimony from Mulvihill about the fake private investigator call.
In November 2017, a jury convicted both defendants of:
- Conspiracy to commit murder
- Attempted premeditated murder
In January 2018, the judge handed down severe sentences. Lovejoy received 26 years to life in prison, while McDavid received 50 years to life due to personal firearm discharge enhancements causing great bodily injury. Both maintained their innocence during sentencing, with Lovejoy telling the court she wasn't capable of such an act.
Where Is Diana Lovejoy Now?
Diana Lovejoy is incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, California.
Legal challenges and appeals have failed to overturn her conviction. In 2024, the California Court of Appeal and Supreme Court rejected further post-conviction relief petitions filed under updated state sentencing guidelines, affirming that her conviction for direct conspiracy to commit murder stands.
She is scheduled to become eligible for parole in 2036, at which point she will go before the state parole board to argue for her release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Diana Lovejoy married to?
Diana Lovejoy was married to Greg Mulvihill. Their marriage ended in a bitter divorce and custody battle over their young son prior to the 2016 shooting plot.
Did Greg Mulvihill survive the shooting?
Yes. Although McDavid shot him with a rifle from the bushes in Carlsbad, the bullet missed vital organs. Mulvihill survived his injuries and testified against Lovejoy and McDavid during the trial.
What was the motive behind the attack?
Prosecutors established that Lovejoy plotted the murder to bypass family court orders and prevent shared custody of her son with Mulvihill.
When can Diana Lovejoy get out of prison?
Lovejoy received a sentence of 26 years to life. She is slated to have her first official parole hearing in 2036, assuming she maintains prison compliance until then.
