Ep 10. Stella Nickell

Stella Nickell was a woman living in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and daughter during the 1980s. Working in a pharmacy, Stella became increasingly dependent on painkillers, which led to financial strain on her family. In an attempt to alleviate their financial troubles, Stella decided to take out several life insurance policies on her husband, Bruce Nickell.

In June 1986, Bruce Nickell was killed by ingesting a poisoned dosage of Extra Strength Excedrin capsules. The case made major headlines and caused widespread panic, as several bottles of the tainted medication had been distributed in the area and could have potentially harmed countless others.

Despite conducting a thorough investigation and offering a $26,000 reward for information, police were unable to solve the case that became known as the "Excedrin murders." A year later, Stella collected the life insurance money and moved away with her daughter.

After years of living in fear that she would be caught, Stella was ultimately arrested in 1988, following the discovery of evidence linking her to the crime. She was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 90 years in prison.

The episode delves into the details of the case, including the police investigation and Stella's trial. Interviews with friends and family members shed light on Stella's personality and motivations, while experts provide insight into the psychological and forensic aspects of the case.

Through the course of the episode, viewers are given a deep understanding of the events surrounding the "Excedrin murders" and the factors that led to Stella's descent into criminality.