Ep 6. Lee Ann Reidel

In the sixth episode of the first season of "Snapped," viewers are presented with the case of Lee Ann Reidel. Reidel is a 39-year-old woman living in Florida who becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her ex-boyfriend, 38-year-old Thomas Blumenberg.

The episode begins with the discovery of Blumenberg's body in the trunk of his car, which was parked behind Reidel's apartment complex. Detectives note that there are no signs of forced entry, and the cause of death appears to be blunt force trauma to the head. Upon learning of Blumenberg's death, Reidel is noticeably distraught, but as investigators begin to dig deeper into their relationship, they discover that it was far from the amicable breakup that Reidel had previously described.

Friends and acquaintances of Blumenberg tell detectives that he had recently broken up with Reidel and that the two had been arguing frequently in the weeks leading up to his murder. They note that Reidel was often seen parked outside of Blumenberg's house, seemingly observing his every move. After obtaining a search warrant for Reidel's apartment, detectives find evidence that further implicates her in the murder. They discover a hammer in the trunk of her car that matches the one used to kill Blumenberg, as well as a note in her handwriting that reads, "Thomas Blumenberg deserves to die!"

As detectives continue to investigate, they uncover the motive behind the murder. The couple had been together for several years, during which time Blumenberg had accumulated a large amount of debt. Reidel had repeatedly loaned him money, but as their relationship deteriorated, she became increasingly desperate to get her money back. She eventually concocted a plan to kill Blumenberg for his life insurance policy so that she could pay off her own debts.

During Reidel's trial, her defense team argued that she had been under extreme emotional distress due to the breakup and that she was not in the right state of mind when she committed the murder. However, the prosecution successfully demonstrated that Reidel had carefully planned the murder in advance and that her motive was financial gain. She was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given an in-depth look at the investigation and trial of Lee Ann Reidel. Interviews with friends and family members provide insight into her personality and background, while forensic evidence and expert analysis help to establish the timeline of events leading up to the murder. The episode ends with a sense of closure as the killer is brought to justice, but it also highlights the tragic consequences that can result from extreme emotional distress and financial desperation.