I don't know about you but I don't remember Alex Trebek ever saying the following in one of his commercials for Colonial Penn Life Insurance:
Hi I'm Alex Trebek and I want to recommend Colonial Penn Life Insurance because the payout when you die is so pathetic that your relatives would never use it as a motive to kill you and collect insurance money; and when you buy our insurance a portion the money you pay won't be used as an incentive for other troubled people that kill their relatives for insurance money.
This shouldn't be too hard to figure out if you consider the basic principles of insurance. Insurance is basically pooled risk but the cost of administering the pooling of risk has to be deducted from the amount of money that is collected from consumers before paying out to minimize losses. Otherwise Insurance companies would have gone bankrupt long ago. On top of that when you have for profit insurance companies then the profits also have to be deducted from the pool of money collected from consumers.
This means that regardless of what any commercial for insurance says all expenses for all insurance companies have to be deducted from the pool of money collected from policy holders so the more money they spend on commercials that make insurance seem like a magical replacement of lost, stolen or damaged goods the less they have to pay for actual claims.
Did you notice one commercial, ever, that actually gave you accurate information about insurance that helps you make decisions. Do you really believe that all these discounts we advertise are for real?
Have you ever heard the phrase marked up to mark down? Fine print? If it sounds to good to be true it probably is?
Have you ever heard about someone who tries to get away with murder for insurance money? Does it seem like it happens over and over again? Have some of these stories involved people that actually did collect and keep the money until they got caught years later?
Where do you think the money that provides an incentive for these murders comes from?
It doesn't come from your insurance policy if you buy it from Colonial Penn Life Insurance because unlike other insurance policies we don't collect enough money from our customers to provide an incentive for murder; nor do we collect enough to pay out much for policy holders when they die so one way or another something in the fine print is going to give us an excuse to avoid giving you much money at all when you die.
We'll still scam you for enough money to pay for all these commercials but we won't scam you by as much money as other insurance policies; however we're hoping you'll buy our insurance because now for the first time we're providing a commercial that actually tells you something much closer to the truth than all other insurance commercials!
This shouldn't be too hard to figure out if you consider the basic principles of insurance. Insurance is basically pooled risk but the cost of administering the pooling of risk has to be deducted from the amount of money that is collected from consumers before paying out to minimize losses. Otherwise Insurance companies would have gone bankrupt long ago. On top of that when you have for profit insurance companies then the profits also have to be deducted from the pool of money collected from consumers.
This means that regardless of what any commercial for insurance says all expenses for all insurance companies have to be deducted from the pool of money collected from policy holders so the more money they spend on commercials that make insurance seem like a magical replacement of lost, stolen or damaged goods the less they have to pay for actual claims.
Did you notice one commercial, ever, that actually gave you accurate information about insurance that helps you make decisions. Do you really believe that all these discounts we advertise are for real?
Have you ever heard the phrase marked up to mark down? Fine print? If it sounds to good to be true it probably is?
Have you ever heard about someone who tries to get away with murder for insurance money? Does it seem like it happens over and over again? Have some of these stories involved people that actually did collect and keep the money until they got caught years later?
Where do you think the money that provides an incentive for these murders comes from?
It doesn't come from your insurance policy if you buy it from Colonial Penn Life Insurance because unlike other insurance policies we don't collect enough money from our customers to provide an incentive for murder; nor do we collect enough to pay out much for policy holders when they die so one way or another something in the fine print is going to give us an excuse to avoid giving you much money at all when you die.
We'll still scam you for enough money to pay for all these commercials but we won't scam you by as much money as other insurance policies; however we're hoping you'll buy our insurance because now for the first time we're providing a commercial that actually tells you something much closer to the truth than all other insurance commercials!
My best guess is the reason that I don't remember him saying this is because he never said; if he had even if I missed it it almost certainly would ahve stirred up discussion and caught my attention which I would have remembered.
Let's face it no matter how dignified the media makes Alex Trebek look, he's still a scam artist and so are most if not all celebrities that do commercials. The entire advertising industry is encouraging distortions or outright lies.
Let's assume for the sake of argument there is an exception what would it be?
Don't expect me to come up with one.
The media uses all these murders for entertainment purposes and rarely ever informs the public about efforts that might actually work to reduce crime. They use the "public's right to know" as and excuse to justify all this coverage and hype about murder and celebrities; but they withhold the information that would be most helpful for the public when it comes to reduce crime and don't allow those that would inform the public about this to get air time.
Apparently the "public's right to know" only applie3s to information that helps increase p[rofits for the media and their advertisers, not information that primarily benefits the public.
The highest profile case in the news right now is probably Utah man, accused of killing wife for insurance money, cried over her dead body at hospital: report 12/08/2013; which is currently being tried in court. It wasn't too long ago that the highest profile story was the hot car death in Georgia. Warrants: Toddler’s dad told family how to collect $27K life insurance 07/04/2014
I didn't keep track of the majority of the coverage on that story but I find it surprising that anyone would even buy life insurance for a baby. When I first learned about life insurance we were taught that it was only for adults in case of emergency so families wouldn't be left destitute if the bread winner died and they had no income. The media practically never discusses this although if people search the internet it isn't hard to find information raising doubts about these insurance policies. Chuck Jaffe exposed both Colonial Penn Life Insurance as Stupid Investment of the Week 02/15/2007 and Gerber Life College Plan 03/11/2011 which is now being heavily advertised on TV including many news shows.
There are plenty of other advisers that strongly recommend that people never buy life insurance for children but they're not in the high profile media, only much lower profile articles that can easily be found by those that look for them, but not the complacent majority.
On some of the rare occasions where they do discus the fact that life insurance might provide an incentive for murder they often say that there is no way of knowing how often this might happen.
This isn't quite true.
One of the reasons they might say this is because some of them get away with it and there is no way of knowing how often that happens, which is true; but they have records of the incidents where it does happen and if they spent a small fraction of the money they use on deceptive advertising they could do much more to figure out how often they get caught.
The FBI already has a lot of this information on file; and the insurance companies also must have a much better idea how often it happens than the general public although they have an incentive to keep that information confidential.
The insurance companies might have an incentive not to do this research if they can avoid it but the FBI is supposed to work for the public and it is hard to imagine why they wouldn't do so unless they're under political pressure. However even without their resources which could and should provide better results it is possible to get a better idea how often insurance is a partial factor on many murders. A search on Murderpedia for "insurance money" turns up about 800 results and they have a total of about 6,800 entries. This is potentially almost 12% of all the murders in their database, assuming they all turn out to be insurance related murders. However that is almost certainly not the case. I checked to see approximately how many they might be and relatively quickly found over eighty entries without skipping many. This probably means that even though it almost certainly won't be over ten or eleven percent there is a good chance that it will come to at least six to eight percent and virtually guaranteed that it will be at least two or three.
If the same percentage applies to the murders in the United States it could come to nine to twelve hundred murders per year that are related to insurance. However my best guess is that this is probably still high but it is not unreasonable to assume that it is probably at least one to three percent which comes to at least 150 to 450 murders related to insurance per year.
Update 06/20/2018: Since I originally posted this Murderpedia has added more entries and they now have at least 7,425 entries; and I have searched for more listed below and found that there are over 230 entries that I have found so far, related to insurance, which comes to more than three percent, and additional searches can almost certainly find more which will probably bring it up over four percent, possibly as high as the six to eight percent previously estimated as the highest I might expect, but my best guess is that it won't be quite as high.
As I said the numbers from a review of FBI files which are already compiled, although they're not completely public, would almost certainly be more reliable; and it is virtually guaranteed that such a review would enable changes that could help reduce these murders and the incentive to kill people for insurance.
At least when it comes to insurance related murders on planes they already seem to have done this. Between 1949 and 1965 there were nine planes mostly in the USA or Canada blown up for insurance that I could find. Since then there was one more in South Africa, 1988 and another in China 2002. I don't know for certain why they've been reduced but it is almost certainly a change in policies at airports or selling insurance.
There has also been some precedent for wrongful death lawsuits against insurance companies; however I doubt if this is used very widely and the vast majority of the public almost certainly doesn't know about it making it less likely they'll take advantage of the possibility, however slight.
The media would of course be in the best position to inform the public about how to minimize the risk of insurance fraud, whether it involves inciting murder or just selling bad insurance policies. Unfortunately the media collects and enormous amount of revenue from the insurance companies that profit off of this giving some people the impression that they might have an incentive to avoid coverage of it.
I don't know about you but I don't remember Little Boy George Stephanopoulos ever saying the following in one of the episodes of "This Week With Little Boy George Stephanopoulos":
Hi welcome to This Week With Little Boy George Stephanopoulos, I'm Little Boy George Stephanopoulos.
Recently there was a widely publicized story about a hot car death of a toddler that might have been for insurance in Georgia. Some people have expressed concern that we might have a conflict of interest when reporting on this subject since we have also been selling ads for Gerber Life College Plan on our show.
Nothing could be further from the truth and to eliminate any doubts we will be looking into this issue in depth to find out if insurance does anything to provide incentives for murder, whether it is for children or not. Over the years there must have been dozens if not hundred of stories in the news about murders were done partly, if not entirely so the killers could try to collect insurance money.
The media has rarely if ever discussed the possibility that the practice of selling life insurance might increase potential for murder.
Until now.
It is unlikely that many if any of these killings were solely done for insurance money but after we take a closer look at how many there are we will have a better idea of how much an impact insurance might have on the murder rates and while we're at it we'll take a closer look at what other potential contributing causes might exist and how to address them.
One of the things we'll do is take a close look at Tips On Child Life Insurance so that we won't be presenting just one side of the story in our ads for Gerber Life Insurance for children. The truth of the matter is that in order to accrue much value in most insurance policies you would have to pay into it for a long time and there is a much bigger chance that you will run into problems with financing somewhere along the line.
In most cases the way caring parents might respond is by dropping the life insurance policies, which would mean that for the insurance company most of the money they paid prior to that would be profit with no risk, but for consumers it would mean a total loss.
The insurance companies are fully aware of that but they make appeals to emotions when selling to people. This is potentially where a problem could come in. If some people are in serious trouble with debt partially because of the insurance policy, and possibly because of other reasons like gambling problems or loss of a job then they might become desperate.
A small percentage of these people might act out of desperation and if the same insurance that helped them get into financial trouble also offers them a way out then it could be an incentive to either commit a desperate act, or perhaps more likely go into depression and act out of negligence.
If this is the case then we will do what we can to inform the public to the best of our ability if the insurance might have something to do with it and if there are other contributing causes like financial instability we will take a closer look at the causes of that.
In some cases the causes that lead up to many people winding up in serious financial trouble if often gambling or fraudulent financial scams, whether they're insurance scams or other types. we will investigate these and report on them so that the public will have the information they need to make their decisions and vote for candidates that address these problems to the best of they're ability.
There have been similar concerns about our selling advertising for many troubled financial institutions like Enron or Worldcom then remaining silent until they were in so much trouble that they inevitably collapsed in huge scandals that went undetected even though there was an enormous amount of evidence months if not years ahead of time.
Also, even though we have been selling an enormous amount of ads to the Koch Bothers, BP and coal companies we will do much more to report on the environmental damage that they're doing so that we can demonstrate that advertising doesn't create a conflict of interest for media institutions even when large corporations have consolidated into a small number of oligarchies.
This should eliminate any doubt that we might not be trying to do our best to provide the public with the information that they need to know to participate in a democratic process.
Thank you this is Little Boy George Stephanopoulos reporting for ABC; and be sure to keep watching while we follow up on this.
Recently there was a widely publicized story about a hot car death of a toddler that might have been for insurance in Georgia. Some people have expressed concern that we might have a conflict of interest when reporting on this subject since we have also been selling ads for Gerber Life College Plan on our show.
Nothing could be further from the truth and to eliminate any doubts we will be looking into this issue in depth to find out if insurance does anything to provide incentives for murder, whether it is for children or not. Over the years there must have been dozens if not hundred of stories in the news about murders were done partly, if not entirely so the killers could try to collect insurance money.
The media has rarely if ever discussed the possibility that the practice of selling life insurance might increase potential for murder.
Until now.
It is unlikely that many if any of these killings were solely done for insurance money but after we take a closer look at how many there are we will have a better idea of how much an impact insurance might have on the murder rates and while we're at it we'll take a closer look at what other potential contributing causes might exist and how to address them.
One of the things we'll do is take a close look at Tips On Child Life Insurance so that we won't be presenting just one side of the story in our ads for Gerber Life Insurance for children. The truth of the matter is that in order to accrue much value in most insurance policies you would have to pay into it for a long time and there is a much bigger chance that you will run into problems with financing somewhere along the line.
In most cases the way caring parents might respond is by dropping the life insurance policies, which would mean that for the insurance company most of the money they paid prior to that would be profit with no risk, but for consumers it would mean a total loss.
The insurance companies are fully aware of that but they make appeals to emotions when selling to people. This is potentially where a problem could come in. If some people are in serious trouble with debt partially because of the insurance policy, and possibly because of other reasons like gambling problems or loss of a job then they might become desperate.
A small percentage of these people might act out of desperation and if the same insurance that helped them get into financial trouble also offers them a way out then it could be an incentive to either commit a desperate act, or perhaps more likely go into depression and act out of negligence.
If this is the case then we will do what we can to inform the public to the best of our ability if the insurance might have something to do with it and if there are other contributing causes like financial instability we will take a closer look at the causes of that.
In some cases the causes that lead up to many people winding up in serious financial trouble if often gambling or fraudulent financial scams, whether they're insurance scams or other types. we will investigate these and report on them so that the public will have the information they need to make their decisions and vote for candidates that address these problems to the best of they're ability.
There have been similar concerns about our selling advertising for many troubled financial institutions like Enron or Worldcom then remaining silent until they were in so much trouble that they inevitably collapsed in huge scandals that went undetected even though there was an enormous amount of evidence months if not years ahead of time.
Also, even though we have been selling an enormous amount of ads to the Koch Bothers, BP and coal companies we will do much more to report on the environmental damage that they're doing so that we can demonstrate that advertising doesn't create a conflict of interest for media institutions even when large corporations have consolidated into a small number of oligarchies.
This should eliminate any doubt that we might not be trying to do our best to provide the public with the information that they need to know to participate in a democratic process.
Thank you this is Little Boy George Stephanopoulos reporting for ABC; and be sure to keep watching while we follow up on this.
Yea I'm quite certain the reason why I don't remember Little Boy George saying that is because he never said it.
Let's face it George is a scam artist too. He isn't even trying to report on the news anymore than any of other reporters for the traditional media. They're far more interested in selling advertising for profit than they are in reporting the news and what they do report is almost always more for entertainment purposes than to inform the public how to reduce crime or solve any other problems.
Insurance companies may not kill any people directly but they are by far the biggest perpetrators of insurance fraud. In addition to deceiving the policy holders about the risks and pay outs of insurance they pass on the cost of all other insurance fraud to the consumers.
On top of that the government has to foot the bill for all the insurance fraud and incarceration of criminals that commit them, excluding well connected insurance executives. This is what they call a negative externality; and instead of insurance companies or policy holders footing the bill for it tax payers pay for this.
Like Alex Trebek said "Otherwise Insurance companies would have gone bankrupt long ago."
Or maybe he never actually said that, at least not that I remember.
21 Shocking Murder for Life Insurance Plots (#4 Was Caught on Video!) 10/31/2014
Life Insurance and Murder! Whodunit? The husband, for the insurance money!
5 notorious, homicidal tales of life insurance fraud including some that initially paid off
Black Widow Murders of two homeless people with a third planned 2008
Fla. man convicted of murdering newlywed wife for $1M life insurance policy 04/22/2014
What happens to a life insurance claim when foul play is involved?
Life Insurance and Murder!
Life Insurance Policies As An Incentive To Murder, And The Duty Of Reasonable Care by Norman L. Tolle 2002
Over the years, a number of state courts have recognized the validity of wrongful death claims against life insurance companies for their improper issuance of life insurance policies.[1]In particular, several state courts have permitted these actions to proceed under general tort law principles.[2]
These court decisions suggest that life insurers should make certain that they exercise reasonable care when underwriting policies so as not to provide an incentive to murder through the issuance of their life insurance policies. The concern is more than theoretical. Recently, for example, federal officials in New York charged that two men had obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in insurance proceeds by obtaining insurance policies on "a large number" of individuals who thereafter had been killed.[3]Although public policy is rather clear that a life insurance policy obtained by one having no insurable interest in the life of the insured is void at its inception,[4]an insurer that issues such a policy may face liability for wrongful death in the event that the insured is murdered by someone who receives the benefits of the policy -- and damages may well exceed the policy's face amount. .....
..... Conclusion: Although life insurance policies procured by a person who does not have an insurable interest in the insured's life may be void, they still can lead to an insurer's liability under various theories adopted by a number of courts across the country. Insurers, therefore, should put appropriate procedures in place -- and require that the procedures are followed -- to help make certain that life insurance policies only are issued to those who have an insurable interest in the life of the insured and that the insured is aware of the existence of the policy. Complete article
Over the years, a number of state courts have recognized the validity of wrongful death claims against life insurance companies for their improper issuance of life insurance policies.[1]In particular, several state courts have permitted these actions to proceed under general tort law principles.[2]
These court decisions suggest that life insurers should make certain that they exercise reasonable care when underwriting policies so as not to provide an incentive to murder through the issuance of their life insurance policies. The concern is more than theoretical. Recently, for example, federal officials in New York charged that two men had obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in insurance proceeds by obtaining insurance policies on "a large number" of individuals who thereafter had been killed.[3]Although public policy is rather clear that a life insurance policy obtained by one having no insurable interest in the life of the insured is void at its inception,[4]an insurer that issues such a policy may face liability for wrongful death in the event that the insured is murdered by someone who receives the benefits of the policy -- and damages may well exceed the policy's face amount. .....
..... Conclusion: Although life insurance policies procured by a person who does not have an insurable interest in the insured's life may be void, they still can lead to an insurer's liability under various theories adopted by a number of courts across the country. Insurers, therefore, should put appropriate procedures in place -- and require that the procedures are followed -- to help make certain that life insurance policies only are issued to those who have an insurable interest in the life of the insured and that the insured is aware of the existence of the policy. Complete article
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Fraud: why should I worry? Dina Abdelhaq suffocated her seven-week-old daughter Tara to collect $200,000 in life insurance money to feed her gambling addiction in 1995. Jobless and on welfare, the Illinois resident was deeply in debt from riverboat gambling. Tara died in her crib just two weeks after Abdelhaq took out a life policy on the child. Abdelhaq received 21 years in prison for insurance fraud in 2000.
10 shocking revelations in the hot car death hearing
7 Black Widows and 16 Dead Husbands
15 Cases of High Profile Murders to Commit Life Insurance Fraud
Tips On Child Life Insurance
4 Life Insurance Policies You Should Never Buy
Kathy Augustine's Family Outraged About 48 Hours Mystery Show 05/23/2007
Charles Augustine's Death Ruled Natural 05/01/2007
But They did find the metabolite of succinylcholine, succinylmonocholine. (Forensic Files 2010) Narrator: A metabolite means it's a by-product of succinylcholine. If you don't look for it, you don't find it. And that's not a condescending answer. That is the truth. Narrator: There has never been a documented case of succinylmonocholine produced as a result of embalming fluid. However, in Charles Augustine's case, there were no records of which embalming fluids were used. So, this possibility, however remote, could not be eliminated. Therefore, the medical examiner did not change the manner of his death to homicide.
The following are a list of over one hundred murders for insurance from Murderpedia. This is more than one and a half percent of the entries they have and there is probably between two and eight percent counting ones not on this list:
Rodriguez, Angelina September 9, 2000
Miyoko Sumida 6 murders 2003 - 2011
Brenda E Andrew November 20, 2001
Teresa Stone March 31, 2010
Audrey Marie Hilley May 25, 1975
Adele Craven July 12, 2000
Debra Jean Milke December 2, 1989 Milke also had a $5,000 insurance policy in effect on her only child's life.
Mark Edward Lundy 2 parents on August 29, 2000
Lyda Catherine Ambrose 5 victims 1917 - 1920
Judith Hawkey November 3, 2003
Richard Pryde Boggs April 16, 1988
Herman Webster Mudgett 27 plus victims 1886 - 1894
Josephine V. Gray 2 or 3 victims March 3, 1974 / November 9, 1990 / June 21, 1996
Christie Michelle Scott August 16, 2008 Scott was convicted last month of killing her six year-old son, Mason Scott, last August. Prosecutors contend that she set fire to her family's Signore Drive home in Russellville and allowed Mason to die in the fire so she could collect $175,000 in life insurance policies.
Kenneth and Sante Kimes 3 murder victims 1996 / 1998 Often houses owned by Ken and Sante would mysteriously burn to the ground and an insurance firm would have to write an even larger one.
Billi Jo Smallwood 2 children for husbands insurance money November 18, 2008 Army wife found guilty of setting fire to home killing kids aged 9 and 2 in blaze 'set for husband'
Nanny Hazel Doss 8 to 11 victims 1920s - 1954
Anna Cunningham 5 victims 1918 - 1922
Dr. John Dale Cavaness killed his 2 children April 7, 1977 / December 13, 1984
Gabriel Arturo Garza Hoth 3 victims in Mexico April 17, 1991 / October 3, 1992 / May 11, 1997
Gary W. Ploof November 3, 2001
Wendi Elizabeth Andriano October 8, 2000
Bruce Rich December 23, 1995
Susan Grund November 4, 1992
Marie Noe 8 victims 1949 - 1968 Neither the police nor the District Attorney would speculate on a motive for the killings, though they confirmed that the parents had taken out insurance policies on six children.
Angela Garcia 1999 PDF In a 5-2 vote, the Ohio Supreme Court dismissed an appeal by Angela Garcia, who was convicted of killing her two children in a 1999 house fire on Cleveland's East Side. The court rejected the appeal and ended the case without comment. Justices Paul Pfeifer and Francis Sweeney dissented. Garcia, 25, was charged with setting fire to her home to collect $40,000 in insurance. Her children, Nyeemah, 3, and Nijah, 2, died in the fire. The case twice ended in mistrials before a third jury convicted Garcia in 2001 of aggravated murder, aggravated arson and insurance fraud. She is serving two life prison terms.
Martha Lowenstein Marek 4 victims 1932 - 1937
Catherine Flannagan and Margaret Higgins October 2, 1883
Debra Hartmann June 8, 1982
Shirley Elizabeth ALLEN November 1, 1982
Stacey Castor 2 husbands early 2000 and August 20, 2005
Lawrence Horn 3 victims March 3, 1993
David Lee Fisher November 21, 1983
Dr. Glennon Engleman at least 7 victims 1954 - 1980
Johnny Ray Anderson December 1, 1981
Katherine A. Mock, and Elain Kay Young March 23, 2006
Peter Ventura April 15, 1981
Patrick Lane Moody and Wanda Robbins September 16, 1994
Pierre Corneille Faculys Basson 8 or 9 victims 1903 - 1906
Kimberly Hricko February 14, 1998
Karen Tobie and Lynne Blake June 30, 2004
Stella Nickell June 5/11, 1986
Alexander 'Sandy' Keith, Jr 88 victims December 11, 1875
Henry Keogh March 18, 1994
Amy A. Gilligan at least 5 victims 1908 - 1916
Gina Lynn Spann May 11, 1997
Sukhwinder Singh Dhillon 2 to 5 victims February 3, 1995 - June 23, 1996
Lynn Turner 2 victims March 3, 1995 / January 22, 2001
Eva Coo June 14, 1934
Susan Diane Hendricks 5 victims April 13, 2006 / October 14, 2011
Michael Apelt December 23, 1988
Rudi Apelt convicted of killing one December 23, 1988 Pinal County, Arizona, USA One month later, Michael applied for $400,000 in life insurance on Cynthia. The policies became effective on December 22, 1988.
Elicia Hughes June 3, 2004
Maureen McDermott April 28, 1985
Robin Lee Row 3 victims February 10, 1992
Rev. Walter Dworecki August 7, 1939
Robert James alias Raymond Lisemba convicted of killing three 1932 - 1935 Colorado/California, USA James collected a $14,000 insurance settlement and headed back to Alabama to marry wife number four. When she learned he wanted to take out life insurance on her, she said, “People you insure always die of something strange,” and divorced him. ... A $5,000 insurance policy with double indemnity would help assuague his pain. James next called up his accident-prone nephew, Cornelius Wright. He took out an insurance policy on the youngster’s life, invited him to a visit while on leave from the US Navy, and gave him the use of his car. Wright promptly drove off a cliff, killing himself. .... The apparent motive for this was $20,000 in life insurance coverage on Mary.
Robert S. James 3 victims 1932 - 1935
Eugene Marie Chantrelle January 1, 1878
Martha Needle 5 victims 1885 - 1894
Belle Sorenson Gunnes November 11, 1859
James Campbell 2 possible victims hung jury followed by acquittal March 10, 1997
Dr. John Baksh 1983
Mary Frances Creighton 1 to 3 victims 1923 / 1935
Thomas York 2 victims 1978 / 1981
Lindi Nomso Mangaliso December 16, 1984
Kara Lounsbury 2 victims January 14, 2009
Toshihiko Hasegawa 3 victims November 1979 - December 1983
Earle Dennison 1 or 2 victims May 1, 1952
Mary Ellen Samuels 2 victims December 8, 1988 / June 27, 1989
Randolph G. ROTH July 23, 1991
Cynthia Sommer cleared after serving over two years in jail February 18, 2002
Mary Ann Cotton perhaps 21 or more victims 1857 - 1872
Kang Ho-sun 10 victims 2006 - 2008
Deidre Michelle Hunt, Kosta Fotopoulos and Bryan Chase who was killed instead of receiving a cut of insurance October 20/November 4, 1989
Charles Stuart October 23, 1989
Anne Marie Stout June 10, 2007
Misty Keller Witherspoon Convicted Of Murder In Husband's Death September 13, 2005 The State also presented evidence that after Quinn's death, his survivors received $82,102.27 in government death benefits; $91,000.00 in life insurance; and $24,138.68 from a 401(k). In total, defendant received $197,240.95 as a result of Quinn's death.
Frederick L. Small was convicted of killing his wife in New Hampshire To collect insurance money September 28, 1916
Carol M. Bundy (August 26, 1942 – December 9, 2003) was an American serial killer. Bundy and Doug Clark became known as "The Sunset Strip Killers" after being convicted of a series of murders in Los Angeles during the late spring and early summer of 1980. The victims were young prostitutes or runaways. July-August 1980 In February 1980, Doug set fire to his car outside the Jergen's factory, while he was working night shift, in order to claim the insurance. He later bragged to Carol that the real reason was to destroy evidence.
Shawna Nelson Found Guilty In Love-Triangle Slaying of Heather Lynn Garraus January 23, 2007 Garraus was the wife of a Greeley police officer Ignacio Garraus, who had an affair and fathered a child with Nelson, a former Weld County dispatcher. Ignacio Garraus broke off the three-year affair a month before the shooting. .... Under redirect, Ignacio said he did not know his wife had a life insurance policy on herself. He said she had told him he was heavily insured. .... Ignacio has been unemployed since resigning from the Greeley Police Dept. He says he's concentrating on taking care of Victoria. When initially asked about a $200,000 life insurance policy, Ignacio said he has not received that settlement. Later, he said it came out to be $168,000.
John Ronald Brown convicted of homicide Self-appointed sex change specialist - Practising medicine without a license May 9, 1998 He was also charged with allowing patients to work as unqualified, medical assistants (allegedly as barter for their own subsequent surgery), failing to hospitalize a patient who had developed a life-threatening infection and making false claims on medical insurance forms.
Franklin Delano Floyd killed Cheryl Ann Commesso, 18 (a nude dancer) Fit of anger - Heated arguments March 13, 1989 1989/ A warrant is placed on Franklin for insurance fraud, he is accused of drilling holes in the bottom of his boat to collect insurance money.
Psychologist Michelle Theer, Her Internet Affair with John Diamond, and The Murder of Air Force Captain Marty Theer December 17, 2000 They said the motive was to collect insurance and death benefits.
Mexican hit man Mario Benjamin Murphy, 25, confessed to carrying out a contract murder on James Radcliff at the behest of Radcliff's wife and her boyfriend. They were hoping to collect on a $100,000 insurance policy. July 28, 1991
Lisa Donlon Found not guilty on all counts by a jury on April 3, 2013 Victim of domestic violence October 7, 2010 He said the trial wasn’t about money — despite what Kalytiak implied, Lisa Donlon didn’t even know about her husband’s $400,000 insurance policy — nor was it about an affair she said she’d had with a co-worker.
Catherine Thompson: Black; age 42 at crime; murder (she hired killer) of her husband in Westwood (Los Angeles County) on 6-14-1990; sentenced on 6-10-1993. June 14, 1990 A judge on Thursday sentenced a Westwood auto shop owner's widow to death for contracting her husband's murder so that she could collect on a $400,000 life insurance policy.
Robert Hansen Flew 17-21 victims into the Alaskan wilderness and hunted them down like wild game 1973 - 1983 In January 1981, he opened a bakery at 9th and Ingra, using $13,000 from the insurance settlement of a faked burglary of his home.
Barbara Stager (born October 30, 1948) is an American woman who was convicted in 1989 of murdering her husband, Russell Stager, in 1988. Stager is also suspected of the earlier murder of her first husband, Larry Ford, who died in nearly identical circumstances. February 1, 1988 Representatives from two insurance companies testified that the defendant received in excess of $46,000 in insurance proceeds as a result of Larry Ford's death.
Kent Leppink died by gunshot in 1996. His former fiancée, Mechele Linehan, was convicted of murdering him, but the judgment was reversed on appeal. May 2, 1996 At trial, Linehan was accused of conspiring with John Carlin to kill Leppink. The government said that Linehan's motive was that she was the beneficiary of Leppink's $1 million life insurance policy. Leppink changed the beneficiary on the policy a few days before his death.
William Thomas Zeigler Jr., killed His wife Eunice, her parents Perry and Virginia Edwards, and Charles Mays Jr., an employee To collect insurance money December 24, 1975
A French killer-for-profit, Henri Girard insured his victims' lives before poisoning them with home-grown germ cultures and collecting the cash. 1912 / 1918
Donna June Enright drugged her stepfather and set the blaze to collect insurance money October 17, 1996
Dieter Riechmann was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Kersten Kischnick To collect insurance money October 25, 1987
Along with an accomplice, Jack Edward Alderman beat his wife Barbara Alderman with a crescent wrench, then choked her and put her under water in a bathtub to be sure she was dead. ...The motive for the murder was life insurance money from a policy supplied by her employer, the City of Savannah. September 21, 1974
Joan Shannon persuaded her 15-year-old daughter Elizabeth to kill David Shannon March 20, 1927
Farmer, Graham Backhouse, is jailed for life at Bristol Crown Court for trying to kill his wife with TX a car bomb in order to claim her life insurance. April 30, 1984 He is given a second life sentence for killing a neighbour, Colyn Bedale-Taylor, with a shotgun, in an attempt to cover up the crime.
Sandra Camille (Powers) Bridewell Never convicted of murder. Plead guilty to one count of identity theft in return for a sentence of two years in prison on February 28, 2008 05/0/2017
A Taiwanese woman named Lin Yuru, successively murdered her own mother, mother in law and husband in order to use their insurance money to pay off her gambling debts. 2008 - 2009 Madam Hou died at the scene and Lin subsequently received NT$5.06 million in insurance claims. ... That month, Lin also bought life insurance for her four-year-old son. .... Lin called for help after finding her mother-in-law dead in bed. She later received NT$7.43 million from insurers. .... Mr Liu died and Lin later claimed NT$4.75 million from insurers.
Cheryl Gasper and beau Randall Knight, 56, were charged after cold-case investigators reopened the unsolved killing in 2009. July 3, 1994 Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on October 5, 2010. Sentenced to 18 years to life in prison on November 13, 2010 Investigators said Knight and the victim's wife had planned to use proceeds from Andie Gasper's $100,000 life insurance policy to build a dream house together. Andie Gasper and Knight were stationed together at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, in the 1980s, when Cheryl Gasper and Knight became involved.
Jesse James Hollywood Sentenced to life in prison on July 14, 2009 for murder to cover up insurance scheme August 8, 2000 Benjamin Markowitz was a frequent customer of his, accumulating an unpaid debt of around $1,200. Perhaps more importantly, Markowitz threatened to reveal a $36,000 insurance scam Hollywood was involved it. He sold a sport car for parts and reported it stolen in an attempt to defraud his insurance agency.
Justice Story: Dr. Alice Wynekoop kills her daughter-in-law, Rheta, in Chicago mansion November 21, 1933 Oddly affectionate doctor had taken out two life insurance policies on son's wife just weeks before the murder
Their main claim centers around the $2 million life insurance policy Pamela Phillips took out on ex-husband, the $400,000 she is accused of transferring to convicted hit-man Ron Young and bombshell testimony from a former friend. 05/1/2017
George Smith AKA John Lloyd killed Beatrice "Bessie" Mundy, 31 / Alice Burnham, 25 / Margaret Elizabeth Lofty, 38 for insurance 1912-4 The next was Alice Burnham, a plump and pretty young nurse who met Smith in Southsea in September 1913. On their wedding day on November 4, he took her to a doctor who certified she was healthy enough to take out a £500 insurance policy on her life, with Smith the beneficiary. Life insurance was also the death warrant for Margaret Elizabeth Lloyd (nee Lofty).
Judge Joe Peel and the Chillingworth Murders another judge June 15, 1955 The partner, Harold Gray, was given a brutal beating but survived. The motive, police charged, was a $100,000 insurance policy on Gray's life.
As the evidence unfolded, Bill Hale had organized the deaths of Mollie’s mother, Lizzie Q, her cousin, Henry Roan, Anna, and the Smiths in order to cash in the insurance policies and oil head rights of each wealthy family member. Bill Hale, his nephews, and the ranch hands hired by the rancher to murder the Osage Indians were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Mollie Kile’s family in 1925. 05/0/2017
Henry Colin Campbell Burned the bodies - Met his two victims through a matrimonial agency - To collect insurance money 1928 / 1929
Rhonda Orr gets 88 years for Little Elm fire that killed husband To collect insurance money May 14, 2003
Misty Keller Witherspoon Convicted Of Murder In Husband's Death September 13, 2005 The State also presented evidence that after Quinn's death, his survivors received $82,102.27 in government death benefits; $91,000.00 in life insurance; and $24,138.68 from a 401(k). In total, defendant received $197,240.95 as a result of Quinn's death.
Carol M. Bundy (August 26, 1942 – December 9, 2003) was an American serial killer. Bundy and Doug Clark became known as "The Sunset Strip Killers" after being convicted of a series of murders in Los Angeles during the late spring and early summer of 1980. The victims were young prostitutes or runaways. July-August 1980 In February 1980, Doug set fire to his car outside the Jergen's factory, while he was working night shift, in order to claim the insurance. He later bragged to Carol that the real reason was to destroy evidence.
Shawna Nelson Found Guilty In Love-Triangle Slaying of Heather Lynn Garraus January 23, 2007 Garraus was the wife of a Greeley police officer Ignacio Garraus, who had an affair and fathered a child with Nelson, a former Weld County dispatcher. Ignacio Garraus broke off the three-year affair a month before the shooting. .... Under redirect, Ignacio said he did not know his wife had a life insurance policy on herself. He said she had told him he was heavily insured. .... Ignacio has been unemployed since resigning from the Greeley Police Dept. He says he's concentrating on taking care of Victoria. When initially asked about a $200,000 life insurance policy, Ignacio said he has not received that settlement. Later, he said it came out to be $168,000.
John Ronald Brown convicted of homicide Self-appointed sex change specialist - Practising medicine without a license May 9, 1998 He was also charged with allowing patients to work as unqualified, medical assistants (allegedly as barter for their own subsequent surgery), failing to hospitalize a patient who had developed a life-threatening infection and making false claims on medical insurance forms.
Franklin Delano Floyd killed Cheryl Ann Commesso, 18 (a nude dancer) Fit of anger - Heated arguments March 13, 1989 1989/ A warrant is placed on Franklin for insurance fraud, he is accused of drilling holes in the bottom of his boat to collect insurance money.
Psychologist Michelle Theer, Her Internet Affair with John Diamond, and The Murder of Air Force Captain Marty Theer December 17, 2000 They said the motive was to collect insurance and death benefits.
Mexican hit man Mario Benjamin Murphy, 25, confessed to carrying out a contract murder on James Radcliff at the behest of Radcliff's wife and her boyfriend. They were hoping to collect on a $100,000 insurance policy. July 28, 1991
Lisa Donlon Found not guilty on all counts by a jury on April 3, 2013 Victim of domestic violence October 7, 2010 He said the trial wasn’t about money — despite what Kalytiak implied, Lisa Donlon didn’t even know about her husband’s $400,000 insurance policy — nor was it about an affair she said she’d had with a co-worker.
Catherine Thompson: Black; age 42 at crime; murder (she hired killer) of her husband in Westwood (Los Angeles County) on 6-14-1990; sentenced on 6-10-1993. June 14, 1990 A judge on Thursday sentenced a Westwood auto shop owner's widow to death for contracting her husband's murder so that she could collect on a $400,000 life insurance policy.
Robert Hansen Flew 17-21 victims into the Alaskan wilderness and hunted them down like wild game 1973 - 1983 In January 1981, he opened a bakery at 9th and Ingra, using $13,000 from the insurance settlement of a faked burglary of his home.
Barbara Stager (born October 30, 1948) is an American woman who was convicted in 1989 of murdering her husband, Russell Stager, in 1988. Stager is also suspected of the earlier murder of her first husband, Larry Ford, who died in nearly identical circumstances. February 1, 1988 Representatives from two insurance companies testified that the defendant received in excess of $46,000 in insurance proceeds as a result of Larry Ford's death.
Kent Leppink died by gunshot in 1996. His former fiancée, Mechele Linehan, was convicted of murdering him, but the judgment was reversed on appeal. May 2, 1996 At trial, Linehan was accused of conspiring with John Carlin to kill Leppink. The government said that Linehan's motive was that she was the beneficiary of Leppink's $1 million life insurance policy. Leppink changed the beneficiary on the policy a few days before his death.
William Thomas Zeigler Jr., killed His wife Eunice, her parents Perry and Virginia Edwards, and Charles Mays Jr., an employee To collect insurance money December 24, 1975
A French killer-for-profit, Henri Girard insured his victims' lives before poisoning them with home-grown germ cultures and collecting the cash. 1912 / 1918
Donna June Enright drugged her stepfather and set the blaze to collect insurance money October 17, 1996
Dieter Riechmann was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Kersten Kischnick To collect insurance money October 25, 1987
Along with an accomplice, Jack Edward Alderman beat his wife Barbara Alderman with a crescent wrench, then choked her and put her under water in a bathtub to be sure she was dead. ...The motive for the murder was life insurance money from a policy supplied by her employer, the City of Savannah. September 21, 1974
Joan Shannon persuaded her 15-year-old daughter Elizabeth to kill David Shannon March 20, 1927
Farmer, Graham Backhouse, is jailed for life at Bristol Crown Court for trying to kill his wife with TX a car bomb in order to claim her life insurance. April 30, 1984 He is given a second life sentence for killing a neighbour, Colyn Bedale-Taylor, with a shotgun, in an attempt to cover up the crime.
Sandra Camille (Powers) Bridewell Never convicted of murder. Plead guilty to one count of identity theft in return for a sentence of two years in prison on February 28, 2008 05/0/2017
A Taiwanese woman named Lin Yuru, successively murdered her own mother, mother in law and husband in order to use their insurance money to pay off her gambling debts. 2008 - 2009 Madam Hou died at the scene and Lin subsequently received NT$5.06 million in insurance claims. ... That month, Lin also bought life insurance for her four-year-old son. .... Lin called for help after finding her mother-in-law dead in bed. She later received NT$7.43 million from insurers. .... Mr Liu died and Lin later claimed NT$4.75 million from insurers.
Cheryl Gasper and beau Randall Knight, 56, were charged after cold-case investigators reopened the unsolved killing in 2009. July 3, 1994 Pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on October 5, 2010. Sentenced to 18 years to life in prison on November 13, 2010 Investigators said Knight and the victim's wife had planned to use proceeds from Andie Gasper's $100,000 life insurance policy to build a dream house together. Andie Gasper and Knight were stationed together at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, in the 1980s, when Cheryl Gasper and Knight became involved.
Jesse James Hollywood Sentenced to life in prison on July 14, 2009 for murder to cover up insurance scheme August 8, 2000 Benjamin Markowitz was a frequent customer of his, accumulating an unpaid debt of around $1,200. Perhaps more importantly, Markowitz threatened to reveal a $36,000 insurance scam Hollywood was involved it. He sold a sport car for parts and reported it stolen in an attempt to defraud his insurance agency.
Justice Story: Dr. Alice Wynekoop kills her daughter-in-law, Rheta, in Chicago mansion November 21, 1933 Oddly affectionate doctor had taken out two life insurance policies on son's wife just weeks before the murder
Their main claim centers around the $2 million life insurance policy Pamela Phillips took out on ex-husband, the $400,000 she is accused of transferring to convicted hit-man Ron Young and bombshell testimony from a former friend. 05/1/2017
George Smith AKA John Lloyd killed Beatrice "Bessie" Mundy, 31 / Alice Burnham, 25 / Margaret Elizabeth Lofty, 38 for insurance 1912-4 The next was Alice Burnham, a plump and pretty young nurse who met Smith in Southsea in September 1913. On their wedding day on November 4, he took her to a doctor who certified she was healthy enough to take out a £500 insurance policy on her life, with Smith the beneficiary. Life insurance was also the death warrant for Margaret Elizabeth Lloyd (nee Lofty).
Judge Joe Peel and the Chillingworth Murders another judge June 15, 1955 The partner, Harold Gray, was given a brutal beating but survived. The motive, police charged, was a $100,000 insurance policy on Gray's life.
As the evidence unfolded, Bill Hale had organized the deaths of Mollie’s mother, Lizzie Q, her cousin, Henry Roan, Anna, and the Smiths in order to cash in the insurance policies and oil head rights of each wealthy family member. Bill Hale, his nephews, and the ranch hands hired by the rancher to murder the Osage Indians were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Mollie Kile’s family in 1925. 05/0/2017
Henry Colin Campbell Burned the bodies - Met his two victims through a matrimonial agency - To collect insurance money 1928 / 1929
Sante Kimes killed three with her son and collected on unrelated insurance scams California In Sacramento she sets fire to her first house to collect insurance. She only destroyed the kitchen and received $10,000. Sante burns down Honolulu house, to collect insurance money. The firemen could tell it was arson but insurance still paid.
Steven David Catlin killed three 1976 / 1984 California/Nevada, USA Prosecutors presented evidence that Catlin had financial motives for killing the women—he was the beneficiary of life insurance policies on his wives and the sole beneficiary of his mother’s estate. Catlin, meanwhile, had acquired another fiancee, encountered on a visit to the hospital. His grief was tempered by her love -- and by the $57,000 he received from life insurance payments.
Joseph Lyle & Erik Galen Menendez killed parents August 20, 1989 California In recognition of Jose's importance to LIVE, the company invested in a "key man" life insurance policy that would guarantee that if Jose died, the company could continue operating without worrying about going under. The policy was valued at $15 million. LIVE also purchased a "key man" personal policy for Jose's family that was valued at $5 million. ..... The brothers shopping sprees were funded by Jose's personal life insurance policy of $650,000.
Morris Bolber, Herman and Paul Petrillo killed 30-50 people 1932 - 1939 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA The gang embraced insurance agents and made highly successful use of the period's widespread cheap insurance policies, often taken out without medical examination (not required for policies under $500) or the knowledge of the principal concerned, who would subsequently meet an agonising death by arsenic, engineered by the spouse, possibly with intent, possibly in superstitious ignorance of their actions. This went on from 1932 until 1938, when the death in hospital of Ferdinando Alfonsi brought matters into the open, something that was bound to happen sooner or later, as the gang's activities proliferated.
Lyda Trueblood killed at least one possibly as much as six people 1915 - 1920 in Montana/Idaho, USA All 4 of Lyda's husbands had held a life insurance policy where they listed her as the beneficiary. Lyda Trueblood was able to collect over $7,000 over the years from the deaths of her first three husbands.
Richard D. Clay killed one May 19, 1994 in Missouri In February 1994, Martindale asked Sanders to help her kill her husband. She was unhappy in her marriage and also was the primary beneficiary of her husband’s life insurance policy in the face amount of $100,000.
Sandra Marie Jessee killed one August 13, 1998 California She wanted to avoid paying for his cancer treatment and to collect his insurance and other benefits .... Prosecutors said she wanted to avoid paying for his cancer treatment and to collect his insurance and other benefits. Jessee, now 61, and her son Thomas Aehlert hired a hit man to commit the killing then received more than $650,000 from the sale of the couple's Placentia home along with 401(k) death benefits and insurance, prosecutors said.
Stephen William Beattie killed three July 23, 1978 North Miami Beach, Florida, USA Motive: To claim the $100,000 insurance he had taken out on Mitchell's life.
Larissa Schuster killed one July 9, 2003 California Tim Schuster's life insurance policy was only $30,000 and half of their assets were to be put in a family trust to provide for the children.
Jack Barron killed 3 or 4 1992 - 1995 California He also wanted out of his marriage and to collect $170,000 in insurance. .... If Barron hadn't been arrested, he would have been the sole beneficiary of the estate, including two life insurance policies, Nord testified.
Amber Merrie Bray killed one January 16, 1996 California The couple planned the slaying over several weeks in love letters in which they decided how to spend Hollier's $310,000 life insurance proceeds, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Al McKenzie, who prosecuted both Jeffrey Ayers and Bray.
Nanette Johnston killed one December 15, 1994 California Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy contended that Johnston was the femme fatale at the center of a love triangle who convinced her young lover -- professional football player Eric Naposki – to gun down her wealthy, older live-in boyfriend -- McLaughlin – so that she would not be detected for cheating on him, stealing from him, and so she could reap a financial windfall from McLaughlin's $1 million life insurance policy and his will.
Leonardo Morita, a 46-year-old electrician, wanted to collect on the insurance policies he took out on each member of his family. five murders May 29, 1995 California Morita recently had purchased a life insurance policy that would pay $500,000 at his wife's death, authorities said. In January, Morita had taken out a $500,000 life insurance policy on his wife, Lucy, 45, and a $20,000 policy on each child: Clint, 10, Krishna, 14, and Rama, 15. But he bought no policy for himself.
Betty Lou Beets killed two To collect insurance money 1981 / 1983 Tx.
Andrew Wamsley killed one December 11, 2003 in Texas In early March, Sarah filed her lawsuit, trying to block her brother from collecting her father's life insurance or other funds, alleging that he "was the principal or an accomplice in willfully bringing about the death" of Rick Wamsley.
Andrew Cantu killed three June 11, 1990 in Texas While riding around with Gonzales, Flores, and Aguirre, Cantu asked if they would "waste" three old people whose adopted son wanted them killed. Cantu added that he would be paid with money, jewelry, and guns in the house, and from insurance policies collected later. When the others refused to help, Cantu changed the subject to burglary of a house. Gonzales and Flores agreed to join in the burglary.
Ernest Basden and Sylvia White conspired to kill Billy Carlyle White who was an insurance salesman to claim life insurance benefits January 20, 1992
Albert Foulcher was convicted of the murder in 1993, at Pailhés near Montpellier, of another insurance agent - the man from whom he had bought a business in 1984. Committed five murders between January 19, 1993 and January 8, 2001 before committing suicide on January 17, 2001
Ralph Davis, an insurance broker, murdered Susan Davis, his wife in 1986. Between June and July 1986 Davis forged three checks on his wife’s personal bank account in the amount of $ 900 and also forged his wife’s signature on a change of beneficiary life insurance form to make himself the beneficiary of the policy.
Markham Duff-Smith, a 46-year-old insurance broker whose voracious thirst for the lavish lifestyle led to the murders of his wealthy mother, sister, brother-in-law and 14-month-old nephew, was executed on June 29, 1993. Murders to collect from estate not insurance.
Olen Edward Hutchison, of Campbell County, was convicted of conspiring with several other men, including M. C. Curnutt an insurance agent, to drown Hugh Huddleston during a fishing trip in 1988 to collect almost $800,000 in insurance money and other benefits.
Ruth Snyder first persuaded her husband to purchase insurance, but with the assistance of an insurance agent (who was subsequently fired and sent to prison for forgery) "signed" a $48,000 life insurance policy that paid extra ("double indemnity") if an unexpected act of violence killed the victim. March 20, 1927 Henry Judd Gray convicted of being her accomplice
Ruth Brown Snyder 05/0/2017
As a former prosecutor, part-time judge and prominent criminal defense attorney, Fredric Tokars worked on all sides of the criminal justice system. November 29, 1992 Unbeknownst to her, Fred Tokars took out several insurance policies totalling $1.7 million on Sara's life. Lawrence denied any involvement in the murder — by himself or by Fred Tokars — for about seven months. But after a plea agreement he claimed Tokars offered him $25,000 cash and a $910,000 investment in their joint business to arrange Sara Tokars' murder.
Ronald Mikos convicted for Killing a witness who was going to testify against him in a Medicare fraud investigation January 27, 2002 The same jury had on May 5, 2005 convicted Ronald Mikos of defrauding Medicare out of $1.2 Million by billing the Health and Human Services program from surgeries he never performed.
Masumi Hayashi is a Japanese woman convicted of putting poison in a pot of curry being served at a 1998 summer festival in the Sonobe district of Wakayama, Wakayama, Japan. July 25, 1998 After her arrest, she and her husband were indicted on a number of insurance fraud charges as well. Her husband was subsequently convicted and imprisoned for insurance fraud. Prior to the murders, Masumi had been an insurance saleswoman.
Pamela Ann Smart (née Wojas) (born August 16, 1967), is serving a life sentence for first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder of Gregory Smart, an insurance salesman, and witness tampering in New Hampshire. 05/1/2017 Nicolosi claimed that Smart seduced Flynn to get him to murder her husband, so that she could avoid an expensive divorce and benefit from a $140,000 life insurance policy. .... Pam even agreed to pay them from the insurance money that she would collect.
Robert John Peernock killed one July 22, 1987 Prosecutors said Peernock, a former pyrotechnical engineer for a movie studio, killed his estranged wife, Claire, 45, and attempted to kill his daughter to gain control of community property and life insurance benefits totaling $1.5 million.
Jane Marguerite Dorotik killed one February 13, 2000 The couple had briefly separated, but later reconciled and moved into a new home. In addition, the couple had recently taken out life insurance policies on each other.
Dana Sue Gray killed three unrelated to insurance but may have planned another February 16 - March 16, 1994 Gray later found out that Dana had taken out an insurance policy on him. The policy would have paid off the Canyon Lake house in the event of Gray's death.
William Ernest Leasure, Corrupt policeman and contract killer killed three or more also involved in unrelated insurance fraud 1977 - 1986 He faces charges in Northern California alleging the reselling of stolen pleasure boats and insurance fraud.
Lofie Louise Preslar killed three 1912 / 1920 / 1944 Texas/California, USA In short order, her husband discovered a bullet hole in one wall, a suspicious mound of earth in the garden, and an insurance policy naming Louise as Margaret Logan's sole beneficiary.
William Archerd killed six 1947 - 1966 California/Nevada, USA Taken to the hospital after apparently faking a fall in an airport rest room to collect on insurance, Stewart was visited by the ever-solicitous Archerd—and died after the usual convulsions that night. Archerd, recipient of the insurance, tried but failed to collect.
Shajia Ayobi killed one December 18, 2011 Greene also said she had a financial motive: She stood to collect $285,000 on an insurance policy.
In September 2002, 15 months after her husband died, Stephanie Stephens was arrested and charged with murder for the May 1, 2001 death of her husband David Stephens. Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA In his affidavit, Westfall stated that around the time of his death, David maintained a deferred compensation plan with MetLife Insurance Company valued at approximately $732,000.
Eva Rablen killed one April 29, 1929 Stephen arrived at the station soon afterwards and told police that he suspected his daughter-in-law killed his son over a $3,500 insurance police.
Elisabeth Anne "Betty" Broderick killed two November 5, 1989 Kim not only testified that she heard her mother say "a lot of times" that she wanted to kill Dan – a fact that Lee supported -- but in the process presented the court with a previously unconsidered motive: a court-ordered $1 million dollar insurance policy for the four children, which had gone into effect two months before her mother killed her father. According to Kim, Betty told the four siblings, "I'll kill him (and) we'll all be rich."
Virginia Gail Larzelere killed one March 8, 1991 Edgewater, Volusia County, Florida, USA On March 8, 1991, Larzelere hired a man to murder her third husband in Edgewater, Florida, so she could collect $2.1 million in insurance. Larzelere took out seven separate insurance policies on her husband the year before his death.
Luke Williams killed two June 19, 1991 Edgefield County, South Carolina, USA Months later, it was discovered that Williams had secretly insured his wife and child just weeks before their deaths. The combined payout from several policies was $525,000 and Mr. Williams was the sole beneficiary. Williams was unemployed had a history of living off insurance settlements for injuries and accidents. He was out of money and had filed for bankruptcy protection.
Anjette Donovan Lyles killed four 1952 - 1958 Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, USA Their background search had turned up other family skeletons, including Anjette's last two husbands and one of her mothers-in-law. On exhumation, all three victims tested positive for arsenic, and Lyles was shown to have received insurance benefits upon the death of each. .... With the money she received from Gabbert's life insurance, Lyles bought a new car and a house. She also sparked disapproving gossip when, only a few months after her husband's death, she began dating another Capitol Airways pilot.
Marilyn Kay Plantz convicted of hiring boyfriend to kill husband August 26, 1988 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Plantz hired her teenage boyfriend Clifford Bryson and his friend William McKimble to kill her husband for about $300,000 in life insurance. Jim Plantz's insurance policy eventually was awarded to his 2 children, Trina Plantz Wells and Chris Plantz.
William Clifford Bryson killed one August 26, 1988 Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, USA 27 year old Marilyn Plantz hired her teenage boyfriend, Clifford Bryson, and his friend Clinton Eugene McKimble to kill her husband for about $300,000 in life insurance.
Donna Yaklich hired someone to kill her police officer husband December 12, 1985 Arapahoe County, Colorado, USA Her attorneys argued she was a battered woman and the murder was her last desperate attempt to end the abuse. It was a controversial legal move, claiming that she hired the hit men in self-defense. After her husband's death, Yaklich received payment under his three life insurance policies, and she admitted that she paid the Greenwells $4,200 in several installments for murdering her husband. Consequently, she was brought to trial on a charge of first degree murder and conspiracy to murder under a theory that she had been motivated to arrange her husband's death in order to obtain the insurance money.
Oscar Franklin Smith killed three October 1, 1989 Davidson County, Tennessee, USA In March 1989, he had taken out a life insurance policy with American General on Judy for $20,000 and the boys for $10,000 each. In February of that same year, he had taken out a $20,000 policy on Judy and insured the boys for $5,000 each with Liberty National. He had earlier taken out a policy on Judy for $10,000 and the boys for $4,000 each with United Insurance. He thus was the beneficiary of $88,000 of life insurance on the lives of Judy and her two sons.
Frances Elaine Newton killed three April 7, 1987 Harris County, Texas, USA In March 1987, Newton took out $50,000 life insurance policies on her 23-year-old husband, Adrian, and her 21-month old daughter, Farrah. A policy already existed for her 7-year-old son, Alton.
Stacey Ann Lannert killed one July 4, 1990 St. John, Missouri, USA In fact after his death, her father's estate was valued at $482,000, including a $100,000 certificate of deposit, a little under $50,000 in a savings account, and a life insurance policy with death benefits of $180,000. .... had discussed the plan to kill her husband for more than three months prior to the murder, had discussed paying the assailants with a portion of her husband's insurance policy ....
Suzanne Margaret Basso killed one August 25, 1998 Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA The murder was committed for proceeds from an insurance policy on the victim (in which Basso was named the beneficiary) as well as other assets in which Basso was named heir. .... After Musso’s death, police found certificates of insurance for policies in Musso’s name, including one that provided for payment of $65,000 in the event Musso died as the result of a violent crime. Police also discovered a document titled Musso’s “Last Will and Testament,” which purported to leave Musso’s entire estate to Basso while “no one else [was] to get a cent.”
Diana Lumbrera killed four to seven children 1976 - 1990 Texas/Kansas, USA In Texas, authorities from Palmer, Lubbock, and Castro Counties launched new investigations, discovering that each of Dianas children had been insured for amounts between $3,000 and $5,000. (In Melissas case a second insurance policy was purchased one day before she died.)
Ronald Clark O'Bryan was a murderer from Pasadena in the U.S. state of Texas who killed his son Timothy on Halloween, 1974 with cyanide-laced candy in order to claim $20,000 in life insurance. Texas
Gregory Summers hired someone to kill his parents and one other person June 11, 1990 Taylor County, Texas, USA Billy Mack Summers, Gene Summers' brother, was mentally retarded and was living with the couple when they were found by Abeline firefighters in their home. Each had been stabbed repeatedly and the home was set on fire. Summers was the beneficiary and hoped to collect $24,000 in insurance benefits.
James Otto Earhart killed one May 12, 1987 The prosecution tried to prove that Janice Dell, Kandy’s birth mother, had hired Earhart to kill Kandy so that she could collect the insurance money, but they never succeeded.
James Otto Earhart appeal file PDF Joseph Kirtland further acknowledged having a ten thousand dollar life insurance policy on his daughter. Several witnesses acknowledged longstanding enmity between Ruth Ann Kirtland and Janice Dell.
Susan Lucille Wright killed one January 13, 2003 Houston, Texas, Harris County, USA Assistant district attorney Kelly Siegler depicted Wright as a scheming wife who seduced her husband into bed, tied him up, repeatedly stabbed him, and then buried his body in their backyard, all in hopes of collecting a $200,000 life insurance policy. Wright's defense attorney Neal Davis claimed that his client had suffered years of physical and emotional abuse by her husband, and killed him to protect herself and her two young children.
Debra Lynn Baker killed one June 12, 1990 After Jerry Sternadel died, strapped down to his hospital bed, an anonymous caller tipped off the police about a $350,000 life insurance policy the widow stood to gain from the millionaire's death.
Wanda Gough was found not guilty of murder October 27, 1980 Kilgore, Greg County, Texas, USA Fred Gough said during the original autopsy it was missed that John was initially shot in the back. "I believe it could have been over a life insurance policy that had just been taken out on John during that period," said Fred.
Cameron Todd Willingham convicted of killing three The proceeds of an insurance policy on the girls were later used to buy a pickup truck. Willingham argued that his ex-wife's boyfriend started the blaze, but the jury in his 1992 trial delivered a guilty verdict and the death penalty. Innocence Project claims he was wrongfully convicted and executed
Janice K. Dodson killed one October 15, 1995 Mesa County, Colorado, USA "She'd taken out three insurance policies, she made sure to get wills done," Daniels said. "Bruce owned two homes. She had the property put into both their names during this three months since they were married." Police said she was badgering the life insurance companies to pay off his policies, even though they were only good for accidental death — not homicide. And then she remarried. With her growing debt and past history of insurance fraud, Janice became the perfect suspect with a motive.
Piper Ann Rountree killed one October 30, 2004 Henrico County, Virginia, USA Prosecutors said a vengeful Rountree killed Jablin because she was intent on regaining custody of the children and cashing in on Jablin's $200,000 insurance policy.
Darlie Lynn Routier killed her two kids who probably weren't covered by insurance, although home insurance was discussed June 6, 1996 Also, at this time, Darin Routier admitted that he had looked for someone to burglarize the family home to benefit from an insurance scam, but that he planned to have the burglary occur when the family was not at home.
Denise Frei killed one July 19, 2009 Marego, Iowa County, Iowa, USA She said the slaying was in self-defense and that she suffered from battered woman syndrome Hawkins said Frei told her she was the beneficiary of Bailey’s $100,000 life insurance policy which could be used to pay off a $70,000 debt they had at Bailey’s Lincoln Café in Belle Plaine, which she operated.
Judy Buenoano killed three 1971 - 1980 Florida/Colorado, USA She collected more than $240,000 in insurance money from the deaths of her husband, a son, and a boyfriend in Colorado, but was never prosecuted. Insurance benefits were also the motive in each of the Florida cases which resulted in conviction.
Marcia Gayle Kelly killed one October 23, 2005 On July 31, 2006, Marcia Kelly's murder trial began. At the trial, prosecutors presented the jury with what they believed to be the motive. Marcia had a $100,000 life insurance policy on James.
Dorothy Glaser killed one October 31, 1985 Houston County, Georgia, USA Dorothy Glaser should have stopped while she was ahead. In 1985, she managed to get away with killing her husband, but she collected $250,000 in life insurance and even won a $40,000 malpractice settlement against a psychologist who was treating her husband for imaginary mental illness prompted by an earlier attempt on his life. Glaser then turned to her sister, Nell Matkin, about repeating the crime with Matkin’s husband, Andy, as the target. Nell agreed and Glaser contacted her nephew, Bobby Spargo, hoping that Bobby would do the killing.
Rolando Ruiz killed one July 14, 1992 Michael Rodriguez hired a hit man, Rolando Ruiz, to kill his wife Theresa Rodriguez in 1992. Prosecutors believe the brothers wanted to collect insurance money.
Michael Anthony Rodriguez killed two 1994 / December 24, 2000 Texas At the time of the escape, Rodriguez was serving a life sentence for capital murder after hiring a man to kill his wife Theresa for an insurance policy worth $250,000 in 1994. .... She sold insurance; he ran a small cafe. They lived in a nice house and drove a Mercedes.
Martin Sauceda Vega killed one July 27, 1985 Texas Linda had received over $235,000 from her husband’s life insurance. “The insurance company did refuse to pay Linda for her husband’s death for over a year because she was a suspect in his murder. Linda sued the company to make them pay, and they finally paid her off because she was never charged,” defense attorney William “Bill” Rugeley said. Mims' murder went unsolved for 2 years before Vega walked into the police department in Luling, about 50 miles east of San Antonio, and confessed to plotting the slaying for a $30,000 portion of Mims' $150,000 life insurance policy. He also led authorities to the gun.
Richard Charles Duncan killed two October 7, 1987 Duncan made incriminating statements about needing the life insurance money for their failing computer business, and tried to explain the deaths as mercy killings because of the victims' failing health. Duncan hoped to use his lover's share of their $500,000 life insurance to save his collapsing computer business, according to prosecutors. "It was all about money," Siegler said.
Richard Head Williams was hired to kill one March 24, 1997 Mr. Gillmore took out a $25,000 life insurance policy on Jeanette and designated himself as the beneficiary.
Robert Vannoy Black Jr. hired John Wayne Hearn, another Vietnam veteran, to kill his wife February 20, 1985 Texas Eight days before the killing, Black had taken out a $100,000 insurance policy on his wife, and on the way to the Sandra’s funeral, asked the agent if the policy was valid and if it would pay off. The agent was not completely surprised by the question, he would later testify. Apparently, it’s not unusual for bereaved relatives to inquire about the insurance payoff process in the early days after a death.
Ernest Downs was involved in a murder-for-hire scheme and was paid $5,000 to kill Forrest Harris. April 23, 1977 Duval County, Florida, USA Ron Garelick, a general life insurance agent and business associate of Forrest Harris, obtained a $400,000 insurance policy on Harris' life, naming as beneficiary a jointly-owned Garelick-Harris corporation. Garelick knew John Barfield as a business acquaintance and solicited his help in obtaining individuals to kill Harris for the insurance money. Garelick offered Barfield $125,000 from the insurance proceeds as compensation for arranging the murder.
Timothy Boczkowski killed two To collect insurance money November 4, 1990 / November 7, 1994 North Carolina/Pennsylvania, USA Probably collected on first murder
Diane Kay Borchardt convicted of killing one September 29, 1994 Jefferson County, Wisconsin, USA Diane Borchardt, who becomes eligible for parole in 2035, has maintained her innocence, although she didn't testify at trial. She was convicted of hiring Douglas Vest Jr., then 17, to commit the killing for $600 in cash, a ring and a promise of $20,000 from her husband's life insurance. Vest recruited Joshua Yanke, then 17, and Michael Maldonado, then 16, to assist in the slaying.
Charles Mayhew, Jr. found "liable" but not convicted of murder February 28, 1998 Dallas, Texas, USA A Dallas civil court jury found Mayhew Jr. liable for the murder of his millionaire father and awarded his sister $26 million in damages on April 18, 2002. A Dallas County grand jury declined to indict him on September 20, 2002 "No one had a motive to kill Mr. Mayhew other than his son, who knew his father was divesting him bit by bit of financial authority, who had no finances of his own and easily could have seen the note in his father's car regarding changing insurance beneficiaries."
Mary Mabel Rogers killed one August 12, 1902 Bennington County, Vermont, USA To collect insurance money Was she a coldly calculating, if careless, virago who plotted her husband's demise for a mere $500 insurance policy and the allure of a new sexual playmate? Or was she merely a spiritually stunted near-moron with no sense of right or wrong, a pitiful but inevitable product of her antecedents and environment? ... She promised him she would pay him "$500 clean dollars" from Marcus' life insurance.
Henry Lee Lucas was a serial killer or serial confessor who's confession accurate or not might have enabled a wife to collect insurance On one occasion, in Huntington, West Virginia, Lucas confessed to killing a man whose death had originally been ruled a suicide. The man's widow received a large life insurance settlement that had been denied after the initial suicide verdict, and the Texas Rangers hosted a party at a Holiday Inn, spending $3,000 on drinks and prostitutes.
Teresa Wilson Bean Lewis killed two October 30, 2002 Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA Using sex and promises of money, Lewis persuaded two men, Matthew Shallenberger, and Rodney Fuller, to kill her husband and stepson in a failed effort to gain $250,000 in life insurance proceeds.
Andrea Yates killed her five children after being denied help because insurance wouldn't cover it June 20, 2001 Houston, Texas, USA The hospital had no other choice due to the ten day psychiatric hospitalization insurance constraints of their provider, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, subcontracted by Magellan Health Services.
Velma Ogden-Whitehead killed one March 18, 2005 Des Moines, King County, Washington, USA She sold two properties that were part of her husband's estate for a profit of $460,000 and collected life insurance and benefits from his employer that totaled more than $650,000, according to King County Prosecuting Attorney Norm Maleng. She took trips to Las Vegas, bought new cars and was planning to move to Arkansas, Maleng said.
David Spence was convicted of killing three July 13, 1982 McLennan County, Texas, USA McLennan County trial testimony originally showed that Deeb hired Spence and two other men to kill his girlfriend, Gayle Kelley, so Deeb could collect insurance that he had taken out on her. ... Spence's defense consisted of an attack on the weaknesses of the murder-for-hire theory, eg. the fact that the accidental life insurance policy would not pay Deeb in the event of Gayle's murder, and the possibility that Spence knew Gayle on sight and could not have accidentally killed Jill instead. .... Qasem heard Deeb and Spence frequently discuss whether Gayle Kelley ought to be killed for insurance, but Qasem did not take these conversations seriously.
Luis Ramirez was convicted of killing one April 8, 1998 Tom Green County, Texas, USA unrelated to insurance allegations which happened years earlier In addition, Mrs. Ramirez told the jury that ex-husband destroyed her car in order to collect insurance money, “trashed” a house she was trying to sell, and thought of his guns as toys.
Chelsea Lee Richardson "masterminded" two murders December 11, 2003 Mansfield, Tarrant County, Texas, USA “The crime was planned for two months [and the] motive was pure greed,” said Tarrant County prosecutor Mike Parrish. “They planned this double murder to get the proceeds of a one million dollar insurance policy,” he said.
Robert Alan Fratta Ex-Cop Convicted of Hiring Hitmen to Kill Wife November 9, 1994 Harris County, Texas, USA John Steven Gardner killed two but not insurance related although it mentions another case Prosecutors said Robert Fratta had his wife killed after she filed for divorce and that he tried to collect on her life insurance policy days afterward. Payment for her death was to be $1,000 and a Jeep, prosecutors said.
Joseph Andrew Prystash convicted of killing one hired by Robert Alan Fratta November 9, 1994 Harris County, Texas, USA Fratta, a former Missouri City public safety officer, even claimed that one of her relatives did it to collect insurance money. Fratta's attempt to collect on his wife's life insurance policy just two days after her death was telling, Siegler said. A total of $235,000 in benefits was due on her death, Siegler said, but to Fratta's dismay he discovered that his wife had made her children the sole beneficiaries.
Leon Davis Jr. killed five December 7/13, 2007 Polk County, Florida, USA not part of fraud but angry about policies Gillis said two witnesses have told investigators that Davis was upset with a recent increase in his insurance premiums.
Lydia Sherman killed ten 1864 - 1871 New York/New Jersey/Connecticut, USA Then, feeling she could perhaps make some money out of her venture, insured her husband's life for a modest sum. The murder worked, her husband died quickly and nobody suspected a thing. So Lydia went on to insure and murder all six of her children, leaving her rich and free.
Raymond Fernandez (December 17, 1914 – March 8, 1951) and his common-law wife Martha Beck (May 6, 1920 – March 8, 1951) became known as "The Lonely Hearts Killers" after their arrest and trial for serial murder in 1949. Between 1947 and 1949 they are believed to have killed as many as twenty women. Spain / Illinois/New York/Michigan, USA She later told reporters: “For four days he was very polite to me. Then he gave me tongue lashings when I wouldn’t sign over my insurance policies and my teacher’s pension fund to him.” Things went downhill after that. “I began to hear stories about how he went to Spain with a woman and she died,” she said. Shortly afterwards, the new Mrs. Fernandez left the apartment minus her car and hundreds of dollars which Raymond stole from her.
Melissa Friedrich killed one April 27, 1991 Nova Scotia, Canada “Millie” is back in the news again. The Canadian senior citizen has a rap sheet that earned her the nickname “the Black Widow” — a sobriquet that helps trace her crimes across the various aliases that her (not always legal) multiple marriages have provided. As Melissa Stewart, she was convicted of drugging, running over and killing her second husband while still married to the first. As Melissa Friedrich, she defrauded a third husband, who died under suspicious circumstances — then she drugged and defrauded another suitor. Most recently, Melissa Ann Weeks is accused of drugging her brand new groom in an attempt to kill him. Before her arrival, Robert Friedrich had intended to divide his estate among his three sons, says the lawsuit, filed in April 2003. Court records show that an insurance company was not sure whether to give about $100,000 in benefits to the sons or to Melissa Friedrich.
Canada's Black Widow: the rosy-cheeked killer is back on the streets 03/25/2016 Nicholson said there was little question that his client had given drugs to her former partner, but disputed the motive. “I never really thought she was trying to kill anyone. If you look at her past, she really wanted to influence them and have them change their insurance and wills.”
Betty Neumar killed at least one or two people July 14, 1986/1964 Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina, USA The indictment alleges that Neumar "sought out a former police officer and her neighbor to kill her husband in the months before his death", with the motive allegedly being his $20,000 life insurance policy. Al Gentry said the couple fought constantly and, just before his brother's murder, she had asked Harold to move out. After his death, Neumar collected about $20,000 in insurance money. She also had a life insurance policy on husband No. 5, John Neumar, who died in October, 2007. She met him when she moved to Augusta, Ga. "I got no insurance from the first one, no insurance from the third one. After Harold died I got $50,000. But as far as all this money and all this stuff goes, there wasn't none," she said. Jeff Carstensen was spooked when he learned his grandmother planned to buy him a $100,000 life insurance policy — and name herself the beneficiary.
Lee Ann Riedel was convicted of killing one January 17, 2001 Suffolk County, New York, USA At their trial, prosecutors alleged that Algeri was the unintended victim of a scheme to murder Paul Reidel for his insurance money. Though Lee Ann and Rocco each tried to pin the murder on each other, the jury found them both guilty and sentenced the former lovers to life in prison.
David Camm is a former Indiana State Trooper acquitted after three trials for the murder of his wife and two children at their Georgetown, Indiana home on September 28, 2000. (He was convicted twice, spent thirteen years in jail, and there are major doubts about the legitimacy of this acquittal) They also maintained that Kimberly Camm planned to leave her husband and that Camm was motivated to kill her to cash in on insurance policies worth nearly $300,000. At the time, Kim had a well-paying and highly regarded position as a financial analyst at a major insurance carrier in nearby Louisville, Kentucky, and their two children were happy and well-adjusted children who attended a Christian school in New Albany, Indiana. The new affidavit also alleged that Dave's brother, Danny Camm, had forged Kim's signature on a life insurance policy which had been obtained only months before the murders. That affidavit didn't say anything about Kim being the one responsible for the family's financial affairs and also the one responsible for securing life insurance. Indeed, when she obtained the new life insurance, through Danny, most of the increases were on Dave, who had lost his group policy after leaving the ISP.
Marjorie Ann Orbin murdered her husband Jay Orbin in Phoenix, Arizona on or about September 8, 2004 If I was going to put a body where it could be found, so I could get life insurance… I wouldn't put it outside my back door. I'm not that stupid.
Ex-wife arrested in dismemberment 12/08/2004 Marjorie Orbin, who was unemployed, ran up her ex-husband’s credit cards and stood to gain more than $1 million through several life insurance policies, records indicate.
Noel Doorbal conspired with Daniel Lugo and others to kill two May 25, 1995 Dade County, Florida, USA
Daniel Lugo killed two May 25, 1995 Dade County, Florida, USA During a month in captivity at a warehouse, they tortured him, sometimes with lighters, until he signed over his posh South Miami house, a $2 million life insurance policy and $1.2 million in investments. .... "He was signing over everything, including his life," Levine said. "It was $1.2 million in cash and assets and a $2 million life insurance policy."
Sheila Graham-Trott convicted of killing one February 16, 2010 Indialantic, Brevard County, Florida, USA They also say a large life insurance pay out could have been motivation. .... He said he did not kill his wife for $250,000 insurance money, when asked by the prosecution.
John Eldon Smith killed two August 31, 1974 Bibb County, Georgia, USA He was convicted of murder and sentenced to death for the August 1974 shotgun slayings of Ronald and Juanita Akins in an an attempt to collect on a life-insurance policy.
Linda T. Jones was convicted of hiring Donald Lee Bradley to kill one November 7, 1995 Clay County, Florida, USA Donald said he would not talk because he wanted to get paid by Mrs. Jones, who was getting a lot of money from the insurance people. .... Linda said she would lose $500,000 in life insurance if she got a divorce and she "wasn’t going to fat and forty alone." Jack Jones had a life insurance policy worth $125,000 which had been established in 1992. He also had a company policy at Key Buick, where he was the service manager, which was worth $175,000 and had a double indemnity clause. Linda Jones was the beneficiary of both policies.
Donald Lee Bradley killed one November 7, 1995 Clay County, Florida, USA When Mrs. Jones received the life insurance money from her husband’s death, Bradley expected a payoff of $100,000-$200,000.
Lamar Z. Brooks killed two April 24, 1996 Okaloosa County, Florida, USA According to testimony, Davis bought a $100,000 life insurance policy on Stuart in February 1996, naming himself as sole beneficiary. The State argued that Davis planned to pay Brooks and Gilliam with the proceeds from the insurance policy.
Donna Marie Roberts killed one December 11, 2001 Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, USA From jail, Jackson engaged in an extensive exchange of letters and telephone calls with Roberts over a period of several months in which both parties discussed in thinly veiled terms killing Fingerhut when Jackson was released from custody in order to pursue their relationship with one another and collect on Fingerhut's life insurance. ... Police learned that Fingerhut had taken out two life insurance policies on his life, naming Roberts as sole beneficiary. The aggregate benefit of the policies amounted to $550,000.
Milford Wade Byrd killed one October 12, 1981 Hillsborough County, Florida, USA Soon after the murder, Byrd was inquiring about his wife’s $100,000 life insurance policy and how long it would take to settle the claim. appeal Later that morning appellant requested that a desk clerk at the motel contact a life insurance company with reference to an insurance policy on Debra's life. Appellant was the sole beneficiary of the $100,000 policy. Five days later, on October 19, appellant personally carried a copy of Debra's death certificate to the insurance company and twice inquired as to how long settlement of the policy claim would take. .... Byrd alleges that the assistant state attorney received $1,600 from his brother-in-law, who received a $16,000 contingency fee as a result of a civil action brought by the victim's sister to obtain life insurance proceeds. This money resulted from the termination of Byrd's rights to his deceased wife's life insurance proceeds. Byrd claims that the assistant state attorney and his family benefitted from his exercise of prosecutorial discretion.
Konstantinos Fotopoulos killed two October 20/November 4, 1989 Volusia County, Florida, USA Fotopoulos then conspired to kill his wife, Lisa Fotopoulos, in order to collect $700,000 in insurance proceeds. Fotopoulos used the videotape of Hunt killing Ramsey in order to get Hunt’s cooperation in the murder of Lisa Fotopoulos.
Carl Anthony Coppolino convicted of killing one & was acquitted of a second murder August 28, 1965 New Jersey/Florida, USA Only three weeks before his wife's death, Coppolino increased by $10,000 the $55,000 in life insurance policies covering Carmela. .... Instead, Coppolino began eying his wife's life insurance policy, $65,000. With that and Gibson's bank account, he would be set for life. "There's your motive," Schaub trumpeted.
Guinevere Falakassa Garcia was convicted of killing two August 8, 1977 / July 23, 1991 Cook/Du Page Counties, Illinois, USA "He was crazy about her, but she wanted nothing to do with him except get his possessions and his $15,000 insurance policy," said prosecutor Kathryn Creswell. "She took a handgun and blew a hole in his chest while they talked and showed no remorse, no tears."
Jacqueline Gibons was convicted of killing her adoptive parents July 29, 1982 Skokie, Cook County, Illinois, USA Financially the Gibons were comfortable. The mortgage on their Skokie home was paid off, and they had double-indemnity insurance policies on their lives. All this added up to an estate of some $250,000, which was to be Jacquelin's. Wilson further told Rawlins that "Jackie would get the insurance money, but didn't say he [Wilson] would."
Doris Ann Carlson convicted of killing one October 25, 1996 Maricopa County, Arizona, USA Doris Carlson had planned the killing with the approval of her husband, Lynne's son David. Doris and David Carlson were in financial straits, and knew that David Carlson would receive his inheritance and life insurance proceeds when Lynne died. Doris Carlson promised McReaken and Smith $20,000 from the inheritance/insurance proceeds in exchange for murdering Lynne Carlson.
Ottilie "Tillie" Klimek (or Tillie Gburek) convicted of killing one suspected of six or more 1914 - 1921 Cook County, Illinois, USA It was found that she had taken out life insurance policies on her husbands from which she profited greatly. (Probably collected several thousand dollars although details aren't clear)
Christopher Vaughn convicted of four murders, his wife and three children June 14, 2007 Channahon Township, Illinois, USA As CBS 2 West Suburban Bureau Chief Mike Puccinelli reports, Vaughn stood to gain $1 million if his wife, Kimberly, died. Information about Vaughn's life insurance policies was released at a Kendall County estate hearing attended by CBS 2 news partner the Aurora Beacon News. After Kimberly Vaughn was killed, her home was put up for sale and her mother was in charge of her $1 million life insurance estate. But a judge ruled Friday that a third party should take control, and that no money can be removed without a court order. An exception was made for about $30,000, the cost of the funeral for Kimberly Vaughn and the three children.
John Earl Baughman convicted of one murder possibly more May 27, 1995 Antigua and Barbuda As to his motive, the prosecution case was that he had grown tired of his wife and wished to collect $200,000 insurance on her life.
Raynella Dossett Leath killed one or two and almost certainly collected on insurance of first policy March 13, 2003 Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Despite the medical examiner's suspicions about a double indemnity clause on Ed's life insurance policy, his death was initially ruled to be an agricultural accident by the first medical examiner who autopsied him. Just six months after Ed's death, Raynella married her second husband, a retired barber, David Leath.
Joseph Kallinger (December 11, 1935 – March 26, 1996) was an American serial killer who murdered three people and tortured four families. He committed these crimes with his 13-year-old son Michael. 1974 - 1975 Pennsylvania/New Jersey, USA Also in July of '74, Kallinger took a large insurance policy out on his second son. It seems that the boy had out lived his usefulness and on the 28th on July 'tragically' drowned. But of course that had nothing to do with the insurance money - did it? Married a second time in April 1958, Kallinger soon torched his own home for amusement, reaping the fringe benefit of $1,600 from fire insurance. In July Kallinger took out a $45,000 triple indemnity insurance policy on Joey’s life. Just weeks later, Joseph Kallinger went to the Philadelphia police to report Joey missing. Two weeks later Joey’s body was found in the basement of an abandoned building a short distance from the Kallinger home. On May 21, 1963, the basement of a building at 2039 East Fletcher Street, Philadelphia was gutted by fire. Joseph Kallinger owned the building. The insurance payout was $15,000. Four days later another fire broke out on the second floor of the same building. The insurance company paid an additional $15,000. On August 16, 1965 the first floor of 2039 East Fletcher Street caught fire. Incredibly, the insurance company again paid the claim – $11,000. Finally, when the same building caught fire on October 3, 1967, the insurance company refused the claim and the Philadelphia fire department filed arson charges against Joseph Kallinger. They were later dismissed owing to lack of evidence.
Anna Marie Hahn killed five or more Poisoner - To support her gambling habit - Anna offer her services as a live-in "nurse" to elderly men in the German community 1932 - 1937 Colorado/Ohio, USA While the fire caused minimal damage, Anna still managed to collect $300 from the insurance company. On two separate occasions Anna tried to secure a $25,000 life insurance policy on her husband, but each time she met resistance from him. Whether it was a simple superstition or the fear of losing his life is unknown.
Nicole Abusharif was convicted of one murder September 14, 1980 Villa Park, DuPage County, Illinois, USA In addition to her relationship with Sodaro, police also believe that Abusharif was motivated to kill Klein due to a $400,000 insurance payout.
William Harry Meece was convicted of killing three allegedly hired by Meg Wellnitz Appleton February 26, 1993 not arrested until 2003 Adair County, Kentucky, USA A few months after the murders, Meg Wellnitz Appleton sued Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York to try to collect the insurance money. The company balked, saying she was a suspect in the killings. And Eric Wellnitz, Joseph Wellnitz's son from a prior marriage, also sued to get a share of the money. Court records show the case was settled in April 1994, with $518,000 going to a law firm to disperse to Appleton and her half-brother. Court files don't say how much each got, but Eric Wellnitz later said he got only a small amount.
James E. Schnick killed seven family members To benefit from wills and insurance policies September 25, 1987 Elkland, Webster County, Missouri, USA Though authorities suspect that Schnick may have killed to benefit from wills and insurance policies, Sheriff Frager still feels there is some mystery involved.
Johann Otto Hoch committed mass murder of at least fifteen often collecting insurance 1890 - 1905 Chicago, Illinois, USA and at least one in Indiana "Huff" cleaned out her $900 bank account, sold their house, collected $2500 in life insurance benefits -- and vanished. .... Some he simply swindled and skipped town, others he chose to murder, raking in substantial insurance settlements and cleaning out his wives bank accounts. .... He then collected on Caroline's life insurance, sold her house, cleaned out her bank accounts and disappeared..... The killer had received $500 from Marie's life insurance policy and Amelia gave him another $750. .... Immediately after his release Hoch journeyed to Argos, Indiana, where he introduced himself to a brand-new widow, Mrs. Mary Schultz, as Albert Buschberg, a millionaire Chicago druggist. He married the widow, collected the $2,000 insurance policy on her late husband’s life, and prevailed upon the widow and her fifteen-year-old daughter, Nettie, to go back with him to Chicago where both mother and daughter disappeared, along with $1,500 in savings.
Tommy Arthur was convicted of murder for hire February 1, 1982 Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA At that time, Arthur was residing at the Decatur Work Release Center and was assigned to work at Reagin Mobile Homes. Wicker testified that she knew that the murder was to take place on February 1, 1982, and that she had agreed to tell the police that her home was burglarized and that her husband was murdered by an African American man. Wicker admitted that, after she collected $90,000 in insurance proceeds from Troy’s death, she paid Arthur $10,000, paid Rowland $6,000, and gave McKinney jewelry and a car for their assistance in the murder.
Antony Baekeland killed his mother Barbara Baekeland, an ex-film star, November 17, 1972 London, England, United Kingdom They moved to New York when Barbara was in her late teens, using her father's life insurance pay-out (he had made his suicide look like an accident) to set themselves up in the Delmonico, one of the city's most expensive hotels. Found guilty of manslaughter, 1973. Released on July 21, 1980. He relocated to New York City to live with his grandmother, stabbing but not killing her less than a week later. He was sent to Rikers Island and was suffocated with a plastic bag on March 20, 1981; it is not known if his death was a suicide or murder.
James B. Clark, Jr. killed his adoptive parents May 22, 1994 New Castle County, Delaware, USA He was motivated by a desire for the couple's life insurance. The murders took place in May 1994, one month after he had been released on parole for an earlier conviction.
The Rev. John David Terry, 44, was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder and arson in the slaying of James C. Matheny, 32, whose headless body was found June 16, 1987, in Mr. Terry's burning church. Nashville, Tennessee, USA Prosecutors said Mr. Terry wanted to start a new life and leave insurance proceeds to his family. Mr. Terry also admitted misappropriating more than $30,000 in church money. ..... For several months, he purchased legal documents under a new name, purchased additional life insurance for the provision of his family, and carefully planned the murder itself to make it look like he died at the hands of James Matheney.
Nancy Kissel convicted of killing husband November 2, 2003 Hong Kong The police have explored the possibility that Kissel arranged his own death so that his children would be provided for. Like his brother, Andrew had a sizeable insurance policy, and in the event of his death, his daughters stood to collect $15 million. But the policy would be invalidated if he committed suicide, so his death would have to appear to have been a murder.
Dr. Edmond-Désiré Couty de la Pommerais killed two To collect insurance money 1862 / 1863 France Pommerais was in financial trouble at the time, and de Pauw had a large life insurance policy of which Pommerais was the beneficiary. Compulsive gambler; poisoned female victims for insurance.
Louise Vermilyea killed 9 often To collect insurance money 1893 - 1911 Chicago, Illinois, USA
Rita Gluzman killed her husband April 6, 1996 Pearl River, New York, USA According to court papers, Yakov Gluzman had insurance policies with a value of more than $455,000. It could not be learned yesterday who was listed as the beneficiary.
Mary Farmer took an axe to her neighbor Sarah Brennan, stuffed her corpse into a trunk, then assumed Sarah's identity and ordered the deed to Sarah's house transferred into her own (Mary's) name. April 23, 1908 Jefferson County, New York, USA On January 7, 1908, the Farmers deeded the property they had acquired illegally over to their son, who was then ten months old; and they transferred the insurance on the house from the Brennans to themselves.
Sidney Harry Fox killed one October 23, 1929 Margate, Kent, England, United Kingdom After he buried her he claimed on the insurance, but the insurance company investigated and discovered that the fire had spread in an unlikely way.
Ronald DeFeo killed six November 13, 1974 Amityville, Long Island, New York, USA In court he testified to being possessed by Satan The prosecution at his trial suggested that the motive for the murders was to collect on the life insurance policies of his parents. .... Butch also voluntarily confessed to being a casual user of heroin, as well as to the fact that he had set one of his father’s boats on fire so that Ronald, Sr., could collect on an insurance claim rather than paying for the motor, which Butch had originally damaged.
Anna Antonio convicted of hiring people to kill her husband March 27, 1932 Albany, New York, USA Sal allegedly worked for a railroad as a brakeman and had two insurance policies, one with Met Life for $2,500 and another with his union, the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen for $2,800. They told police that they killed Sal at the bequest of Anna who promised to pay them $800 of the insurance money.
Rhonda Bell Martin killed six 1937 - 1951 Montgomery, Montgomery County, Alabama, USA Prosecutors said collecting insurance proceeds prompted her serial killing spree, although this is unlikely, since she only collected enough to cover burial costs, and she never admitted this was the case. Under questioning, Rhonda was vague on her motive for the string of killings, but detectives learned that she collected insurance money on each of the victims in turn. Mrs. Martin was vague about a motive for the killings, the solicitor said, but she told of having insurance on all six victims who died. The amount was not disclosed, but Thetford said she recalled receiving between of Claude Martin. Solicitor William F, Thetford introduced evidence that Mrs. Martin collected $2,750 on three insurance policies upon alter her husband’s death.
Mary Ansell convicted of killing one March 9, 1899 Watford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom Mary Ansell (1877 - 1899) was an English house maid who poisoned her sister Caroline in order to obtain a small insurance settlement. ... Mary had recently purchased phosphorous and had simultaneously taken out a 22 pound policy on her sister's life.
Lowell Edwin Amos convicted of killing four 1979 -1994 Detroit, Michigan, USA Lowell's statement to police at that time was that Saundra had mixed wine with a sedative, collapsed, and hit her head. The cause of death was ruled indeterminate, and Amos received a $350,000 insurance payout. .... Because she was 76 years old, no autopsy was performed, and authorities presumed she died of natural causes. Lowell inherited more than $1 million. ..... Lowell received $800,000 from the insurance policies.
Wayne D. Kubsch convicted of killing three September 18, 1998 St. Joseph County, Indiana, USA He was over $400,000 in debt and 2 months before the murders had taken out a life insurance policy on the life of Elizabeth for $575,000.
Maria Catherina Swanenburg convicted of killing at least twenty-seven people possibly as much as ninty 1880 - 1883 Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands Swanenburg's motive was the money she would receive either through the victims' insurance or their inheritance. She had secured most of the insurance policies herself. Her first victim was her own mother in 1880; shortly after this, she killed her father too.
Robert Lund convicted of killing one December 29, 1999 Rayssac, France Lund killed his wife so he could continue to live in the farmhouse and benefit from her life insurance, the judge added. Lund, originally from Darwen, Lancs, was not arrested until 2004, following police tests on the car, and it is not clear whether he received any insurance money.
Kurt Erich Tetzner convicted of killing one November 25, 1929 Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany In an earlier insurance fraud, Tetzner convinced his motherinlaw to postpone an operation for cancer so that he could insure her life. She subsequently underwent an operation and died. Successful in his first effort, he and his wife decided to find another victim. After failing once to entrap a victim, on Nov. 25, 1929, he picked up a hitchhiker, murdered him, crashed his car into a tree, and then set it on fire with the victim at the wheel.
Lieutenant Frederick Rothwell Holt a WWI veteran was convicted of killing one December 24, 1919 Blackpool, Lancashire, North West England, United Kingdom It was to no avail and Holt was found guilty, the jury preferring to believe the prosecution's theory of a motive based on Kitty's £5,000 insurance policy.
Joyce Cohen was convicted of killing one March 7, 1986 Miami, Florida, USA
Cohen gets life sentence for husband's murder 11/21/1989 The state also argued that Cohen would have inherited $1.4 million from her husband and another $600,000 in insurance and other residuals from his death.
James Ruppert was convicted of killing eleven March 30, 1975 Hamilton, Ohio, USA Rather, he had carefully plotted and schemed to kill his entire family in order to collect more than $300,000 - money tied up in life insurance, real estate, savings accounts, and other investments owned by his mother and his brother, Leonard.
Kristi Fulgham convicted of killing one May 10, 2003 Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, USA Prosecutors argued that Fulgham robbed and murdered her husband to take advantage of his life-insurance policy. That testimony was revisited during closing arguments, when Faver reminded the jury that Danny Edmonds had said his daughter told him she and the kids stood to inherit $500,000 in life insurance if Joey died.
Tyler Edmonds was initially convicted of murder then four years later it was overturned as a miscarriage of justice in a case related to insurance fraud by his sister. May 10, 2003 Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, USA According to his testimony, Kristi informed him that Joey had a life insurance policy and that she was one of its beneficiaries. ... Danny Edmonds also told officers that Kristi told him that Joey had several hundred thousand dollars in life insurance that would go to her if he were dead. ... “Moreover, Danny Edmonds’ statement is corroborated by other evidence: Kristi had previously inquired about Joey’s life insurance with the National Guard, and Joey’s body was found in his bed, consistent with someone who had been shot in their sleep,” Waller said.
Richard George Eberling convicted of killing five 1946 - 1983 Ohio/Michigan, USA In Durkin's will, which had been forged by Eberling and Bogar (and two other accomplices who were being blackmailed by Eberling for insurance fraud), Durkin left the bulk of her estate to Eberling. Under questioning, Bogar revealed she had also helped Eberling stage a series of phony burglaries, including one of her own home, to collect insurance. Her reason for blowing the whistle: Eberling had failed to come through with her promised share of the Durkin estate.
Yesenia Patino convicted of killing one February 23, 1991 Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point), Estado de Sonora, Mexico Among them were that Willoughby sought monetary gain from the killing — more than $1 million in life insurance taken out on his wife. The result has been the legal battle over the $750,000 Thera stands to collect as beneficiary of Trish's largest life insurance policy, a policy that was only taken out in December 1990. (Thera and Dan have already collected $250,000 and $150,000, respectively, on other policies.)
Robert Gary Girts convicted of killing September 2, 1992 suspected of more Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA To collect insurance money
Taylor M. Marks was convicted of killing her mother October 24, 2009 Summit County, Ohio, USA Kristie Marks' will, written in 2004 and filed last week in Summit County Probate Court, names her daughter as the sole beneficiary of her personal property and life insurance proceeds.
Jonathan Wesley Stephenson was convicted of hiring a hit man to kill his wife, Lisa, who was shot in the head with a high-powered rifle in Cocke County in 1989. Stephenson and the hired hit man, Ralph Thompson, disputed which one of them fired the fatal shot, but both were convicted in separate trials. Cocke County, Tennessee, USA Stephenson offered his co-worker various forms of payment in exchange for the killing including cash, insurance proceeds, and a boat and motor.
Joseph Holcombe Mulligan convicted of killing two April 13, 1974 Muscogee County, Georgia, USA Prosecutors said Mr. Mulligan killed Captain Doe, the estranged husband of Mr. Mulligan's sister, to collect on a life insurance policy, and he killed Mrs. Miller to eliminate a witness.
Kathleen Foley convicted of killing one July 31, 1998 Fountain Hill, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA Kathleen Foley was named as the beneficiary on three life insurance policies for $212,000.
Dennis Counterman convicted of killing his three children July 25, 1988 Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA There was supposition that he stood to gain from the rental insurance.
Donna J. Moonda convicted of killing her husband May 13, 2005 Ohio Turnpike, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA Donna Moonda had signed a prenuptial agreement that limited her to only $250,000 in a divorce. The doctor’s will, however, promised her millions plus $676,000 in insurance policies and their home.
Joseph Carmen D'Amato convicted of killing four Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA Authorities said D'Amato feared Patrone intended to betray him in an insurance fraud scheme.
Mary Beth Harshbarger found not guilty of killing her husband in accident collects insurance anyway September 14, 2006 Buchans Junction, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada There are reports that Mary Beth had increased her husband Mark’s life insurance not long before the hunting trip. Mary Beth collected on life insurance policies worth $550,000 (US). Mark Harshbarger’s family noted that despite collecting on the policies, Mary Beth failed to post her $200,000 bail.
Edward Wayne Edwards convicted of killing five 1977 / 1980 / 1996 Ohio/Wisconsin, USA Edwards persuaded the boy to go AWOL from the Army in May 1996 and to return home to Troy Township. Under the ruse of arranging a way to elude the Army, Edwards took Dannie Boy to the woods near the house, where he fired two gunshots to the boy's face. His motive was to collect Dannie Boy's $250,000 insurance.
Mrs. Sarah Whiteling convicted of killing three March 20/April 25/May 26, 1888 and executed Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA The doctors in attendance gave certificates of death respectively for “inflammation of the bowels,” “gastric fever,” and “congestion of the bowels.” There was an insurance on the lives of each, ranging from $200 down to $50. The coroner accidentally hearing on the case, and having his suspicions aroused bad the bodies exhumed and a chemical analysis made of the intestines, and found arsenic in all. The crime for which Mrs. Whiteling was tried was one of a series of three with which she is charged, the allegation being that she not only murdered her daughter. Bertha, but also her husband, John Whiteling, aged thirty-eight, and their baby boy, William Whiteling, aged two years, and collected insurances on the lives of her victims amounting in the aggregate to over $350.
Dr. Kermit Barron Gosnell convicted of killing four or more 2006 - 2010 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Gosnell presented these employees as physicians and billed insurance companies more on this allegation. All three are charged with theft by deception for these acts.
Larry Gene Heath was convicted of killing his wife August 31, 1981 Russell County, Alabama, USA Heath allegedly decided to murder his wife, rather than seek a divorce, because he wanted custody over his child and because his wife had a large life insurance policy.
Debora Green convicted of killing two children October 24, 1995 Prairie Village, Johnson County, Kansas, USA Shortly after the Prairie Village home purchase fell through, however, the couple's Missouri home caught fire while the family was out. Insurance investigators later determined that the fire was caused by an electrical short in a power cord. Though the house was reparable and the couple's home insurance paid out on the damage and lost property, the couple decided to move on, and Green and the children moved into the apartment in which Farrar had been living during the separation while the sale of the Prairie Village home was re-negotiated. He stated that Green had been "very concerned about money" in the context of their impending divorce, and that she may have set fire to the house to garner an insurance payout, but that she had never given any indication of intending to harm her children. (children were killed in second fire after collecting from the first.)
James Lee Beathard was convicted of killing three October 9, 1984 and executed Trinity County, Texas, USA I was accused in a 1984 triple homicide. Supposedly for remuneration, for insurance collection. Involved with a (ball partner?), co-defendant of mine. I’d really rather not get in to long details in it right now, but the short story is that a friend of mine was supposed to have killed his father, step mother and half brother to collect the insurance money. That’s what we were charged with. In reality, it was a, he had a long term, standing feud with his father and it just escalated to a, a real nasty point.
Jesse Anderson was convicted of killing his wife April 21, 1992 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA After a five-day search for the fictional Black criminals, Anderson was arrested and charged with his wife's murder. Two factors led the police to focus their investigation on Anderson: lab results from blood samples, and information that Anderson had called his wife's insurance company one month prior to her murder to determine whether her $250,000 policy was in effect.
Sharee Miller was convicted of killing her husband November 8, 1999 Flint, Genesee County, Michigan, USA After her husband's murder, Sharee Miller received the junkyard, which she subsequently sold, about $16,000 in the couple's bank accounts, a little stock and $80,000 in insurance, according to probate court records and investigators.
Lois Ann Thacker convicted of killing one Murder for hire - To collect insurance money November 2, 1984 Orange County, Indiana, USA Lois Thacker was the beneficiary on the life insurance policy covering her husband, John Thacker.
Dr Thomas Neill Cream killed five or more 1881 / 1891-1892 Illinois, USA / United Kingdom His first foray into crime may have been arson, setting fire to his college room to claim the insurance but his murderous tendencies towards women had yet to manifest themselves. They would soon. .... However, a number of particular acquaintances wagered that it was Cream himself who, after graduation, set fire to his lodgings at 106 Mansfield Street in Montreal, kindling the place just enough to collect $350 insurance for charred clothing and a few personal effects that he planned to dispose of anyway. If Cream was the arsonist, it was a mere transgression compared to his crimes to come.
Thomas Griffiths Wainewright implicated in four murders successful in collecting insurance on at least one 1828 - 1837 United Kingdown / France The insurance company refused to pay and the case took five years to resolve with the decision going against Wainewright. He took flight and went to France. Here he insured the life of the father of a girl that he was acquainted with for £3,000. The father soon died and Thomas collected the insurance payout. He returned to England in 1837 and was soon arrested but only charged with forgery. He was found guilty and sentenced to transportation for life in Van Dieman's Land. He died in Tasmania in 1858.
Gerald Patrick Lewis killed was a serial killer who allegedly killed one of insurance 1987 - 1998 Alabama/Georgia/Massachusetts, USA Prosecutors had argued that Martin, who was approaching bankruptcy, had $377,000 in life insurance policies on his wife when she was found burned in her Ford Escort on an isolated road near the couple's home in Theodore.
Dr. Robert MacGregor convicted of killing four 1909 - 1911 Ubly, Michigan, USA Sentenced to life in prison on June 10, 1912. The Governor Ferris granted a full and unconditional pardon to Dr. MacGregor on the ground of his innocence on November 27, 1916. Died in 1928 MacGregor's alleged motive in the killing was that his modest doctor fees could be paid from Scyrel's life insurance proceeds. The doctor advised Mrs. Sparling to consider buying insurance for each of the boys. Without question, Carrie agreed, for she had come to depend on Dr. MacGregor for his stellar advice. The boys, though, didn’t think insurance was necessary for they were known far and wide for their athleticism. So, too, the doctor reminded, had John Wesley been. ... While they were gone, Carrie Sparling purchased a house in Ubly for $5000, placing a down payment of $1000, proceeds from one of the insurance policies, to close on the investment. Some thought it nice Mrs. Sparling would be moving off the farm. .... Gossip at the bank followed shortly after, for Mrs. Carrie Sparling had endorsed her check from the insurance company’s proceeds – the Sun Life policy from Albert’s death - over to the good doctor. He, in turn, signed off and walked away with $1000 in cash - $684 of which he dropped off at the auto garage. .... Upon further investigation at the bank, the sheriff learned each time Mrs. Sparling cashed an insurance check on the proceeds of her dead sons, Dr. MacGregor’s accounts profited quite nicely. Had Dr. MacGregor purposely thrown suspicion upon Carrie Sparling in attempt to divert the sheriff and the prosecutor?
Debra Lynn Starr convicted of conspiring to kill one March 12, 1984 Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan, USA At one point, Starr also took Lingnau's car and reported it stolen to police and tried to collect the proceeds from the car insurance. Starr also made up and tried to collect the proceeds from phony car repair bills, but was thwarted. Police arrested Starr on "false pretenses" charges. Starr also convinced Lingnau to change his life insurance policy and replace his brother and sister-in-law with her as a beneficiary. But before Lingnau's sudden death, his family convinced him to change his policy back to its original terms.
Mark Orrin Barton was a spree killer who committed suicide years after collecting on a life insurance policy despite suspicions of another two murders July 27-29, 1999 Fulton County, Georgia, USA Barton was trying to collect the $600,000 in insurance he had taken out on his first wife months before she and her mother were murdered in Alabama in 1993. The police had considered Barton a suspect, so the insurance company balked, subjecting him to six hours of questioning. .... Then, in 1997, the insurance company decided to settle for $450,000, figuring a jury would have sympathized with the plight of Barton's kids if the case went to court. The company stipulated, however, that $150,000 go into a trust for Mychelle and Matthew. With the insurance windfall, Barton soon allowed himself to be swept into the risk-loving fraternity of day traders who try to make a living hunched over a computer terminal, betting on the daily gyrations of individual stocks (see accompanying story). .... The two women were bludgeoned to death at a campsite in Alabama. Barton, who had taken out a $US600,000 ($NZ1,147,000) insurance policy on his 35-year-old first wife just weeks before, said he was in Atlanta at the time.
Velma Margie Barfield was convicted of killing at least five possibly seven 1969 - 1978 Robeson County, North Carolina, USA Only a few months later, her home burned once again, this time with a reward of insurance money. .... On August 23, a man Velma had been dating was killed in a traffic accident. (Velma was not present so this death, at least, was probably just a melancholy coincidence.) He had made Velma Barfield the beneficiary of his life insurance policy and she received a check for $5,000.
Sandy Lee Locklear convicted of murder for hire To collect insurance money August 19, 2012 Loris, Horry County, South Carolina, USA Locklear was charged in the Aug. 19, 2012, shooting deaths of her husband, Amos Hatfield, 66, and his son, Thomas Howard Hatfield, 40, in what authorities said was a murder for hire to collect an insurance policy, Richardson said. ... Nehemiah James Evans, 29, of Nichols, and Odom Bryant, 24, of Tabor City
Colonel George Marecek, a highly decorated U. S. Army Green Beret veteran, was convicted of murdering his wife, Viparet Marecek. June 3, 1991 Fort Fisher, North Carolina, USA Sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2001. Paroled on August 11, 2003 Another piece of the puzzle: Col. Marecek had purchased a $300,000 life insurance policy for his wife, Viparet six months before her death. ... While they were driving from the funeral home to the police station, defendant told Kirk about the life insurance policy he had on Viparet, that he wouldcollect $300,000 due to the accidental death clause, and that he intended to spend it on various family members. .... I was being pretty forceful with him, and every time I would tell him, you know, hey, you know, you're buying a new car, this is stupid, your insurance money, redoing your blacktop driveway, this is starting to stink. “Ah, they've got nothing on me. They can't catch me.” (Almost certainly collected on policy)
Monique Berkley convicted of conspiring to killing one December 18, 2005 Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, USA Spurlin said Berkley, Andrew Deshawn Canty and Latwon Darrell Johnson planned to share a payout from a $400,000 life insurance policy. Monique Berkley confesses to police that she plotted to kill her husband for the insurance money.
Blanche Taylor Moore convicted of killing one suspected of another three 1968 - 1986 Alamance County, North Carolina, USA Blanche collected a little fire insurance, investing the cash in a new mobile home. When fire razed the trailer a month later, she blamed that pervert again and collected another insurance check. ..... Before she finished with the family, Reids sons kicked in another $45,797 from their fathers life insurance, persuaded that Raymond would have wanted Blanche to have the cash. .... Steve Reid, 27, one of Raymond Reid's two sons, said that after his father's death Moore received $45,000 in life insurance and an additional $18,000 to $20,000 from Reid's estate.
Deidra Lane convicted of killing Her estranged husband, Fred Lane (Carolina Panthers running back) July 6, 2000 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Prosecutors at her sentencing described Deidra Lane as an abusive woman who killed her husband for insurance money. Defense attorneys called her a battered wife who killed in self defense. Prosecutors said last week uring a bond hearing that Deidra Lane shot her husband to collect on a $5 million life insurance policy. Deidra Lane, 25, planned her husband's death to collect on a $5 million life insurance policy taken out between 30 and 45 days before the shooting, assistant district attorney Gentry Caudill said at a bond hearing.
Guy Tobias LeGrande convicted of murdering for hire July 27, 1983 Stanley County, North Carolina, USA Munford took out a life insurance policy in the amount of $50,000 on Ellen's life, naming himself as the sole beneficiary. He promised to pay LeGrande $6,500 if LeGrande would kill Ellen Munford.
Robert Bacon Jr. convicted of killing one February 1, 1987 Onslow County, North Carolina, USA To collect insurance money
Kimberly Renee Poole convicted of hiring John Boyd Frazier to kill her husband, Brent Poole. November 8, 1976 Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina, USA Prosecutors also pointed out that Brent Poole had a $100,000 life insurance policy.
Peter Demeter convicted of murder for hire July 18, 1973 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada The trial, the longest in Canadian history, attracted international attention, exposing bizarre elements of the Hungarian Canadian underworld and the possibility that husband and wife had been simultaneously plotting to kill each other in order to collect a $1 million insurance policy. Demeter was convicted, although the actual killer was never found.
Catherine Andrus convicted of one murder September 24, 2009 Port Hope, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada From two life insurance policies, along with the pension, she would have received $370,000 following Leblanc’s death. ... Ms. Andrus was arrested nearly a year later, on Sept. 13, 2010, and confessed to the killing. Court heard she stood to gain an estimated $370,000 through insurance policies and pension payouts.
Michelle Byrom was convicted of Murder for hire June 4, 1999 Tishomingo County, Mississippi, USA In late May and early June 1999, [Michelle] Byrom began looking for someone to kill her husband. After attempting to hire at least one other person, Byrom contracted with Joey Gillis (Gillis) to kill Byrom, Sr. Byrom and Gillis negotiated a price of $15,000, which was to be paid from the victim's life insurance proceeds.
Daniel Anthony Basile was convicted of killing 28 year old Elizabeth DeCaro in a murder-for-hire plot by her husband, Richard DeCaro, who had taken a $100,000 life insurance policy on his wife. March 6, 1992 St. Charles County, Missouri, USA Ten days later, DeCaro purchased a $100,000 life insurance policy on behalf of his wife, Elizabeth, listing himself as the primary beneficiary. On January 26, 1992, Richard DeCaro struck Elizabeth with their van knocking her through the garage wall in the kitchen. She sustained severe bruising. The insurance company paid DeCaro over $30,000 as a result of the incident.
De'Marquise Kareem Elkins convicted of murder March 21, 2013 Brunswick, Glynn County, Georgia, USA possible false conviction while mother had incentive to kill her own child and emotional problems? Gough also asked her about a life insurance policy she had on Antonio, the fact that neighbors didn’t see any African-Americans running away and why she hadn’t asked the child’s father to buy the stamp and avoid a walk in the cold through a crime-ridden neighborhood. ..... “I didn’t do this for the reward money. Can I say this? Whoever had the guns to shoot a baby... I’m doing this for my conscience,” Argie Brooks said. He has collected $2,000 and will get another $8,000 if Elkins and Lang are convicted. ..... He also questioned whether police focused their investigation too soon on the wrong suspects. He said that West tried to collect on a life insurance policy shortly after her son's death. ...... Defense attorney Kevin Gough got her to acknowledge that West was not investigated as a suspect even though an older child had died earlier in New Jersey, that she suffers from multiple mental disorders and that her poverty gave her a motive for killing her child for a life-insurance payout. .... The defense argues that West and the child’s father, Louis Santiago, conspired to murder the child for a life insurance payout.
Stacey Morgan Schoeck convicted of killing one February 14, 2010 Belton Bridge Park, Hall County, Georgia, USA According to reports Richard Schoeck had a life insurance policy worth $500,000 - something his wife stood to gain following his death. According to previous reports, the motive may have been financial; investigators wrote search warrant requests, since Stacey Schoeck had pending life insurance claims totaling $560,000. One of the policies activated that Feb. 1, deputies stated. Stacey Schoeck later testified that she had thought her husband was abusing her children.
Kelly Renee Gissendaner was convicted in 1998 of recruiting her lover to kill her husband, Doug Gissendaner, 30 on February 7, 1997. Her boyfriend, Gregory Owen, testified against her as part of a plea bargain that landed him a life sentence but spared him from the death penalty. Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA Prosecutors said Gissendaner, a mother of three from Auburn, wanted her husband dead so she could profit from two $10,000 life insurance policies and the couple's $84,000 house.
Lisa Jo Chamberlin convicted of killing two, not for insurance, but in argument over insurance scam. March 20, 2004 Forrest County, Mississippi, USA According to Chamberlin, Heintzelman promised to report the accident as a claim against her insurance and then divide the insurance proceeds with Chamberlin and Gillett. Heintzelman never submitted the accident report to her insurance company. .... When Chamberlin and Gillett entered the house, Gillett became violent with Heintzelman, accusing her of not being truthful about reporting the accident to her insurance company.
John Thurtell convicted of killing one unrelated to insurance fraud October 23, 1823 Radlett, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom The County Fire Office refused to pay the claim, and Tom Thurtell sued them. He won his case in June 1823, but Barber Beaumont, managing director of the County Fire Office, refused to pay out and procured an indictment against the Thurtells for conspiracy to defraud the insurance company.
Albert Edward Horsley aka Harry Orchard convicted of killing Frank Steunenberg, former Governor of Idaho unrelated to insurance fraud December 30, 1905 Caldwell, Idaho, USA Seeking to run away with another woman, Horsley burned his cheese factory and collected the insurance money, thereby settling his debts. .... He had burned businesses for the insurance money in Cripple Creek and Canada. Orchard had burglarized a railroad depot, rifled a cash register, stole sheep, and had made plans to kidnap children over a debt. He also sold fraudulent insurance policies. Orchard's confession to McParland claimed responsibility for seventeen or more murders.
Suzane Louise Freiin von Richthofen convicted of killing her parents October 31, 2002 São Paulo, Brazil In 2011, Andreas sued his sister for her half of the inheritance, including the money paid-out on her parents’ life insurance. He won.
Dr Edward William Pritchard convicted of killing two possibly more February 28/March 18, 1865 Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom In 1863, when he was 38, a fire broke out in the room of the servant girl in his house; she was found dead, and it seemed clear that she had made no attempt to leave her bed during the fire. Pritchard was widely suspected, but he nevertheless won a claim from an insurance company.
Anne Gates convicted of killing one possibly two October 7, 1987 Arabi, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, USA A set of fireplace tools was missing from the murder scene, and officers believed they'd found their motive in the form of an insurance policy, scheduled to pay Anne Gates $82,000 in the event of her aging husband's death. Deputies said Mrs. Gates, who had been living with her parents in Picayune, Miss., was the beneficiary of her husband’s $82,000 life insurance policy. Mrs. Gates’ first husband, David Plue, was found dead on a rural highway in Indiana in 1978 with two bullets in his head, Clevenger said. Clevenger, then a sheriff’s investigator, said the 29-year-old autoworker had a $100,000 life insurance policy, and his wife collected the money.
Amy Hebert convicted of killing two kids August 20, 2007 Mathews, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, USA At one point, Hebert suggested her ex-husband use the monies collected from selling the house and the children's life insurance policies to "buy some more" children, Morvant noted, displaying the note on a courtroom wall. Maybe you can buy some with all of your money you will make from this house the life insurance benefits you'll get from the kids.
Timothy John Boham convicted of killing one November 13, 2006 Denver, Denver County, USA He said the reality was that he and Kelso had devised a plan to make Kelso's suicide look like a robbery-murder so that Kelso's life insurance would pay out, which it wouldn't for a suicide.
Roger Mark Scott convicted of killing one December 2, 1989 Maricopa County, Arizona, USA Styers agreed to provide Scott with $250 to file a social security claim. Styers believed he would receive some of Christopher Milke's $5,000 life insurance policy.
William Richard Stevens convicted of murder for hire 1977 / December 22, 1997 Davidson County, Tennessee, USA He told the boys that he would get the money either from the proceeds of Ms. Wilson's life insurance policy or from the proceeds of a yard sale. Later that fall, Ms. Wilson told Ms. Trott that the [petitioner] had asked her to sign a ten-thousand dollar life insurance policy, which she refused to do.
Sarah Marie Johnson convicted of killing her parents September 2, 2003 Bellevue, Idaho, Blaine County, USA "She pretty much despised him because after the murders, he spent the insurance claims on a [Chevy] Suburban and a house and getting married, while she was in jail," said Autumn Fisher, who spent 16 days in jail with Sarah. ... "She talked a lot about the insurance money and about taking her guardian, Pat, on a cruise to Mexico or something," she said.
Sharon Elizabeth Kinne convicted of killing three 1960 / 1964 Missouri, USA / Mexico City, Mexico With the investigation into his death closed, James Kinne was buried and his wife collected on his life insurance policies, valued at about $29,000.
Richard D. Clay convicted of murder for hire May 19, 1994 Callaway County, Missouri, USA Clay’s close friend Charles Sanders had an affair with Stacy Martindale. In February 1994, Martindale asked Sanders to help her kill her husband. She was unhappy in her marriage and also was the primary beneficiary of her husband’s life insurance policy in the face amount of $100,000.
Timothy Shaun Stemple was convicted of killing one October 24, 1996 Tulsa County, Oklahoma, USA Timothy Stemple might have collected on a $950,000 life insurance policy, but his teen-age accomplice testified against him in exchange for a life prison term, court testimony showed. (Phrasing isn't quite clear that he definitively collected on insurance, however it's strongly implied if not stated, and it was originally investigated as an accident with time for him to collect which he probably did.) .... Stemple first argues that the evidence of his past insurance claims was inadmissible. The evidence was relevant to show motive and knowledge. First, the insurance claims were relevant to show that Stemple was familiar with the insurance claim process, whether or not the claims were valid. Second, the insurance claims, which may have been dubious, were relevant to corroborate the testimony of jail inmates, who testified that Stemple told them about past insurance scams.
Giorgio Sarrejani aka Georges Sarret convicted of killing four 1925 - 1931 France Georges Sarret had prepared carefully for his chosen profession of insurance murderer by studying medicine, chemistry and law at Marseilles. He also needed confederates. These he found in the persons of the Bavarian sisters Philomena and Catherine Schmidt who had been unofficially accused as German agents during the War. Methodical M. Sarret found the Schmidt sisters elderly, invalid husbands and insured them. The husbands promptly died and Georges Sarret pocketed most of the insurance money on threat of turning the Schmidt sisters over to the police as poisoners and War spies. From then on the business prospered. Sarret, Schmidt & Cie. made its first mistake when healthy Catherine Schmidt insured herself for a million francs as Mageli Herbin, and the real Mageli Herbin promptly died of pneumonia. Insurance companies became suspicious. Detectives investigated and found a series of mysterious facts but no direct evidence of crime.
Mark Wesley Bailey, a Gulf War veteran, convicted of killing his wife and child September 10, 1998 Hampton, Virginia, USA Months after his conviction, Bailey's parents and Logan filed lawsuits in federal court about the proceeds of a $125,000 life insurance policy on Katie. Bailey's mother, Bonnie, was the second beneficiary - the person who would receive the money in the event the primary spouse could not receive it. Virginia's so-called slayer laws prevent the person who caused someone's death to benefit from their insurance policy. Bonnie Bailey wanted to use the money to pay for a lawyer to represent her son in the appeals process. Logan was outraged.
Julia Ann Surbaugh convicted of killing one August 6, 2009 Webster County, West Virginia, USA The State also introduced evidence of a financial motivation for the killing: receipt of retirement benefits and an insurance policy. The petitioner argued self-defense and evidence of her good character.
John Forrest Parker convicted of murder for hire March 18, 1988 Colbert County, Alabama, USA Charles Sennett was a minister in financial trouble and weary of his marriage to his recently insured wife, Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett. He contracted with one of his tenants, Billy Gray Williams, to murder his wife for $3000. Williams, in turn, hired John Parker and Kenneth Eugene Smith for $1000 each to commit the murder. Williams gave Parker $100 to purchase a weapon.
Tracey Grissom convicted of killing her husband May 15, 2012 Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, USA The defense says the woman was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being beaten and sexually assaulted by Grissom Prosecutors said the killing had been motivated by the woman wanting to cash in Hunter Grissom's $100,000 life insurance policy.
Ashleigh and Holly Robinson convicted of killing their father July 7, 2010 Old Colwyn, Conwy, Wales, United Kingdom Within hours of his death, Barr had phoned Eagle Star insurance – the company which help their joint mortgage endowment policy – to ask whether Antoni had tried to cash the policy in. The policy was still in place. Then the chilling texts that led to – and confirmed – his death began.
Colin Howell convicted of double murder May 19, 1991 Coleraine, Co Londonderry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom Insurance against Lesley's death paid out 120,000 and he received 54,635 from an endowment policy.
Lofie Louise Preslar convicted of killing three possibly more 1912 / 1920 / 1944 Texas/California, USA She married elderly bank manager Lee Judson in May 1944, and on May 30, Margaret Logan vanished without a trace, Louise telling Margaret's aged husband that his wife was in the hospital, unable to receive visitors. By late June, Louise had persuaded the authorities that Arthur Logan was insane; he was committed to a state hospital, where he died six months later. With typical lack of feeling, Louise donated his body to a medical school for dissection. Louise moved into the Logan home with Judson, but all was not well in the household. In short order, her husband discovered a bullet hole in one wall, a suspicious mound of earth in the garden, and an insurance policy naming Louise as Margaret Logan's sole beneficiary.
Deborah Fornuto aka Deborah Anne Booe Narbone Gedzius allegedly killed six or seven mostly her kids plus her husband never charged 1972 - 1989 Chicago/Burbank/Alsip, Cook County, Illinois, USA WMAQ-TV has reported that the Gedziuses, who were living apart, had met over dinner to discuss how to divide their property. The station also said Deborah Gedzius collected on a $100,000 life insurance policy on her husband.
Heather Leann Horst convicted of murder for hire August 5, 2013 St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA Heather Horst, 25, told friend Aaron William Allen that Brandon had a $1 million life insurance policy. She said she would pay Allen 10 percent of that -- an amount she later upped to 25 percent -- if he killed Brandon.
Edward Lee Harper Jr. convicted of killing his parents February 19, 1982 Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA Harper, who had been laid off from his job as a machinist in December 1981, stood to inherit an $86,541 insurance policy on his father's life.
Daniel Matthew Carter acquitted of killing his uncle His uncle beat him with a large steel flashlight and threatened to tie him up and castrate him mother collected insurance money June 11, 1987 Escambia County, Florida, USA The two younger siblings were very close, and court records show Cindy Carter collected a substantial sum from her brother's life insurance when he died. She and Daniel's father never married and he has remained out of the picture, she said.
Najwa Petersen convicted of killing one December 16, 2006 Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa Najwa had power of attorney over all Petersen’s money. Two weeks after his death, Petersen’s sister arrived at their house and found Najwa and a broker completing paperwork to claim Petersen’s R5,3-million life insurance policy.
Daisy Louisa C. De Melker convicted of killing three 1923 / 1927 / 1932 Germiston, Gauteng, South Africa On 1 April, Mrs de Melker received £100 from Rhodes life insurance policy. But the story does not end there. By this time, William Sproat, her dead husband's brother, had become, suspicious.
Maria Helena Gertruida Lee convicted of killing her lover May 2, 1947 Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa In court she denied that she had ever stolen anything. Whatever the reason, by this time Smith had shown himself to be lazy unambitious, a drunkard and he was beginning to make Mrs Lee's life a misery. Getting rid of Smith would not only solve a lot of Maria's problems, it would also benefit her financially as he had a life insurance policy for £3 000 naming her as the sole benefactor.
Margaret Elizabeth Rheeder convicted of killing her husband May 8, 1957 Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Meanwhile, Margaret Rheeder seemed to assume that her husband's death was imminent. To one neighbour, Mrs Fourie, she talked about the insurance money she would receive when Ben passed away - hardly the sort of thought that should have concerned a loving wife at such a time.
Thandi Maqubela convicted of murder June 5, 2009 Sea Point, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa The fact that he had decided to leave her and she had discovered that he had reinstated a life insurance policy that would benefit her to the tune of millions in the event of his death – were the circumstances that “cumulatively” established “a credible motive to kill”.
Thandi Maqubela not guilty of her husband's murder‚ appeal court find 09/29/2017
Thandi Maqubela might be free and ready to claim her late husbands insurance 10/19/2017
How a woman won her release from prison years after being convicted of her mother’s murder 03/23/2017
Noura Grace Jackson convicted of killing her mother June 5, 2005 East Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, USA "Jennifer got on the subject about having Noura well taken care of if something happened to her that Noura was on the life insurance policy," Eric Sherwood told the court. When asked by the prosecution how the conversation came up, Sherwood said, "Noura asked Jennifer how it all worked." "How convenient for me to be asking about life insurance a week before my mother's murder," Noura told Schlesinger. "I don't know."
Wilburn A. Henderson was convicted and executed for killing one November 26, 1980 Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA Race: White (Suspicion of wrongful conviction) The district court found Henderson's trial counsel and Rule 37 counsel ineffective after hearing testimony that cast significant doubt about whether Henderson was rightly convicted. This testimony, which was not presented in any of Henderson's previous trials or appeals, demonstrated that at least three other persons, particularly Bob O'Neal, had motive, opportunity and ability to kill Willa Dean O'Neal. The record demonstrated that the victim wanted a divorce from Bob O'Neal, and Mr. O'Neal was "mad" about it. [T.36] The victim told Glenda Fleetwood that Bob had been threatening her about the divorce. [T.37] He allegedly stated that if the victim divorced him "he'd make sure no other man ever had her." [T.37] Bob O'Neal had been intimately involved with one Ruby Kiser. [T.39] His wife had filed an alienation of affection suit against Ms. Kiser. [T.15] Bob O'Neal was the beneficiary of his wife's life insurance policy and took substantial property under her will. [T.20-21, 40] He had a violent temper and previously had broken Ruby Kiser's jaw. [T.215, 240-41] He was mentally unstable and ultimately was committed to a mental treatment center. [T.355-56] He owned a .22 caliber pistol identical to the gun submitted by the state as the murder weapon. [T.23] He claimed his gun was stolen sometime after the murder. Id. The district court heard testimony from Glenda Fleetwood, the victim's daughter. On the day of the murder, contrary to their usual routine, O'Neal insisted that Glenda work with him rather than stay at the store with her mother. [T.43]
Marie Alexandrine Becker convicted of killing ten or more people including husband with life insurance which she collected 1932 - 1936 Liege, Belgium She gave him a lethal dose of Digitalis, collected on his life insurance and used the cash to open a smart dress shop. Later on, in November 1934 - by which time he had presumably ceased to thrill her - she poisoned Bayer with the same lethal drug.
Patrick Dunphy was a farmer convicted of the murder of his two sons, Eddie who was nine and John who was eleven. September/December 1899 Waterford County, Munster, Ireland On the 27th September 1899, he poisoned one son with strychnine; and on 17th December, he despatched the other in a similar fashion. He committed the crimes in order to claim a small amount of insurance money.
Udo Proksch convicted of killing six January 23, 1977 Indian Ocean In 1977, the freighter Lucona sank in the Indian Ocean after an explosion, killing six people. Proksch, the owner of the cargo said the ship had been carrying expensive uranium mining equipment, and claimed nearly $20 million from his insurance company – which was later revealed as false and was never paid. Because of the strength of his connections, however, investigations were never really pursued, and it was only in 1985 that Proksch and partner Peter Daimler were arrested. Proksch fled to the Philippines in 1988 after Hans Pretterebner published a book about the scandal. Proksch stayed at the palace of his personal friend, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. He returned to Vienna in 1989 incognito but was recognized and arrested.
Júlia Fazekas killed 45 or more, possibly 300, husbands, fathers, brothers 1911 - 1929 Nagyrév/Tiszakurt, Satolnok, Hungary The precentor knew that his old friend Herr Szabo had gotten to be an invalid and nuisance to his wife before his last and brief illness, but he was nuzzled as to why she had murdered her brother. It was later discovered that the brother carried life insurance in his sister’s name and she needed the money.
Dr. William Palmer killed 13 or more 1846 - 1855 Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom But Palmer did benefit financially from the death of his wife. He had taken out a £13,000 insurance policy on her life. Palmer then insured his brother Walter's life. Walter Palmer died on 16 August, 1855. But Walter died a bit too soon and the insurance company refused to pay up. By 1855, in addition to his wife who had been insured for £13,000, four of his legitimate children, several of his illegitimate offspring, his brother, an uncle and several of his more persistent creditors had gone the same way as his mother-in-law.
Samuel James Furnace convicted of murder January 3,1933 London, England, United Kingdom In order to use the body to fake his own suicide He had, however, managed to renew his life insurance policy, and it was obvious to the police that he had murdered Spatchett in an attempt to fake his own death and get hold of the money.
Charlotte Bryant convicted of murdering her husband December 22, 1935 Dorset, England, United Kingdom tried to get insurance although no reported policy was issued She protested that she had been on very good terms with her husband but a witness, Mr Tuck, testified that he had met Charlotte returning from the hospital immediately after her husband's demise. Her comment to Mr Tuck, an insurance agent with whom Charlotte had tried to insure her husband's life, that "Nobody can say I poisoned him" did her no good at all. Especially since no one knew at that time that her late husband had been poisoned.
Sheila Garvie convicted of killing her husband May 14, 1967 Dorset, England, United Kingdom An insurance company confirmed Sheila had stood to gain £55,000 on one policy alone as well as other policies, the farm, investments and capital. Sheila and Tevendale were never to meet again.
Beatrice Annie Pace was acquitted on charges of murder allegedly subject to abuse January 10, 1928 Fetterhill, Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom She said that her husband's life was insured for £69. She had paid 8/6 arrears upon her husband's insurance policy on the night before he died.
Edward Ernest Black convicted of killing his wife November 11, 1921 Tregonissey, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom Edward was a 36 year old insurance salesman and 14 years younger than his wife, Mrs Annie Black. When she died on 11 November 1921 her husband was away. He owed money and had few friends.
Mary Ann Britland convicted of killing three March-May 1886 Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom Elizabeth's death was attributed to natural causes by the doctor who was called to attend the teenager. Mary Ann Britland then claimed £10 on Elizabeth's life insurance policy. Her next victim was her husband, Thomas, aged 44. His death on 3 May was diagnosed as epilepsy, and once again Mary Ann claimed on the insurance.
Mary Elizabeth Wilson "The Merry Widow of Windy Nook" convicted of killing two suspected of two more 1955 - 1957 Windy Nook, Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom She had learned that Wilson not only had £100 in the Co-Op but also had a fully paid up life insurance. Almost straight away Wilson was taken ill, and died of what the doctor called "Cardiac Muscular Failure".
Frederick Henry Seddon convicted of killing one September 14, 1911 London, England, United Kingdom In 1910 Seddon was a 40-year-old Superintendent of Collectors for a national insurance company. ..... Early in 1911 he persuaded Miss Barrow to sink her £3,000 capital into an annuity which, he told her, would provide an income of three pounds a week for life. He made all the arrangements himself, paying her out each quarter in gold, but in fact the £3,000 had gone into Seddon’s own pocket and not to the insurance company.
Mass murders on airplanes:
Julian Andrew Frank in North Carolina 33 victims For insurance money January 6, 1960
John "Jack" Gilbert Graham in Colorado 44 victims To collect insurance money November 1, 1955
Joseph Albert Guay in Canada 23 victims September 7, 1949 purchased a $10,000 insurance package ... A later incident, the bombing of United Airlines Flight 629 on November 1, 1955 (by a man, John "Jack" Gilbert Graham, wishing to kill his mother for insurance) was apparently inspired by the Albert Guay affair.
Zhang Pilin in China 111 victims May 7, 2002 Just several days after the disaster, there were reports that a passenger named Zhang Pilin had purchased seven air insurance policies worth a total of 1,400,000 RMB (about 170,000 USD) prior to boarding the flight.
Francisco Gonzales in California 44 victims May 7, 1964 The next morning he took out a $100,000 insurance policy on his life and then went to Reno airport where he bought a ticket on Pacific Air Lines flight 773 to San Francisco.
Thomas G. Doty 44 victims Bomb on a plane (suicide committed as an insurance fraud by a passenger) Missouri May 22, 1962
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The film is about a woman named Phyllis Dietrichson, who together with an insurance salesman devises a plan to kill her husband and make it look like an accident to collect on a life insurance policy. The hero is a claims adjustor (how often do you hear that?) who sniffs out the dastardly plot.
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