Ep 1. Death in Palm Beach

"Behind Mansion Walls" is a true crime series that delves into rich and famous families whose lives took a turn for the worse. In season 1, episode 1, "Death in Palm Beach," viewers are taken to sunny Florida where the glamorous and wealthy Couple, Nancy and Ben Novack Jr, were living the life of luxury until tragedy struck.

The episode starts with a little background story of Ben Novack Jr, the heir to the legendary Fontainebleau Hotel fortune, and his wife Nancy. They appeared to be living a life that most people can only dream of, but their lavish lifestyle soon turns to a nightmare. On a hot summer day in 2009, Ben's body is found severely beaten and left for dead in his hotel suite in Rye Brook, New York. The tragic event shook the community and left people wondering who could do such a thing.

The episode takes viewers along through the investigation into Ben's murder. As detectives dig deeper into the couple's past, they begin to realize that the Novacks' perfect life was a façade, and they were hiding family secrets and dark stories of their own.

The couple had an unmatched passion for collecting vintage Batman memorabilia and would go as far as offering millions of dollars to grab unique and rare Batman items. However, despite their love for Batman, it seems that the Novacks were no superheroes themselves, as secrets started to unravel.

The story soon takes us to Palm Beach, where the family was originally from, and where Ben's mother, Bernice Novack, was living in luxury. Bernice inherited the majority stake in Fontainebleau Hotel after her husband, Ben Novack Sr's, death. The dynamic between Bernice and her daughter-in-law, Nancy, was tense at best, with both women said to be vying for control of the hotel empire.

As the investigation moves forward, detectives discover that Nancy and her brother had hired hitmen to kill Ben Jr. They hoped to get Ben Jr.'s share of the hotel empire and claim it as their own. It seemed that the family's desire to get rid of him had first started when he got married to Nancy, whom the family believed would ruin the family legacy.

Through interviews with family members, attorneys, law enforcement and journalists, the episode highlights the events that ultimately led to the gruesome murder of Ben Jr. Despite his large inheritance, it seems that his passion for life and his love for his family became his undoing.

"Death in Palm Beach" is a fascinating look into the world of high society and the lengths people will go to sustain their lifestyle. The episode gives an insight into the darker side of one of America's most wealthy families, and how their hidden secrets led to the downfall of one of their own. Despite the tragedy of Ben Jr.'s death, the case brings a measure of justice to the Novack family.

Overall, Behind Mansion Walls Season 1, episode 1, is a must-watch for true crime fans, as it explores the story of a family who was not as perfect as they appeared to be. It's a story of greed, jealousy, and betrayal that keeps the viewers hooked until the very end.