Ep 7. Self-Made Widows

In season 8, episode 7 of the true crime series Deadly Women, titled "Self-Made Widows," viewers are taken on a journey through the lives of three women who all committed heinous crimes to eliminate their husbands and gain control of their fortunes.

The first case focuses on Maria de Lourdes Martins, a self-proclaimed psychic who was determined to get her hands on her husband's wealth, which was estimated at $300 million. After convincing him to invest in a non-existent oil business, Martins conspired with her lover and two hitmen to murder her husband and collect the insurance money. However, her greed and cunning ways were eventually uncovered, leading to her arrest and conviction.

Next, the episode delves into the story of Celeste Beard, a former model and wife to a wealthy and prominent plastic surgeon, who became increasingly resentful of her husband's control over their finances. After numerous attempts to poison him failed, Beard hired a hitman to murder him in his own home. She then went on to forge documents to obtain her husband's life insurance policy, but her fraudulent activities eventually led to her arrest and sentencing to life in prison.

The final case is that of Wendy Maldonado, a woman who suffered years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband, Aaron. After years of enduring his violent outbursts, Wendy finally snapped and bludgeoned Aaron to death with a hammer. Despite her claims of self-defense, Wendy was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into the minds of these deadly women and the twisted rationalizations they used to justify their horrific actions. From greed and lust for power to desperation and abuse, the motivations behind these crimes are explored in detail, leaving viewers with a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of unchecked human behavior.