Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Jen Norris

More Than A Pretty Face (1952):

Preview: Anjette Lyles felt the best way to deal with her problematic home life was to poison the people around her. -Secrets and Lies, Deadly Women (S4, E11)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Secrets and Sins’ on Investigation Discovery: Everything You Need to Know About Serial Killer Anjette Lyles (October 28, 2010)

A Gold-Digger Buries Secrets in Her Basement (1961):

Selfish women will sometimes sell their souls to the devil to get what they want. A scorned lover weaves a web of lies, a teenage Goth orders a reign of terror, and a gold-digger buries secrets in her basement. -Souls of Stone, Deadly Women (S7, E18)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Souls of Stone’ on Investigation Discovery: Iva Kroeger Strangled a Married Couple Because She Wanted What They Had (November 15, 2013)

Dark Secrets are the Stock-in-Trade of Deadly Women (1971):

Dark Secrets are the stock-in-trade of Deadly Women (S2,E4)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Dark Secrets’ on Investigation Discovery: Black Widow Judy Buenoano Murdered Family for Life Insurance Benefits (October 30, 2008)

Mommy’s Little Helpers (1981):

Preview: As a boy, Eric Witte’s father taught him to protect his family. But as his father grows increasingly violent, Eric realizes that he is the evil his family needs protection from. -She Made Me Do It, Evil Lives Here (S2,E2)

Evil Lives Here Premiered ‘She Made Me Do It’ on Investigation Discovery: Eric Witte Kills Abusive Father for Mother Hilma Witte (January 9, 2017)

When a Deranged Mind of Deadly Woman Snaps (1985):

Podcast: When a deranged mind of deadly woman snaps, there’s no telling when the killing will stop. In a rage driven by years of untreated schizophrenia, a 25-year-old opened fire on innocent shoppers in a Philadelphia Mall in 1985. -Twisted Minds, Deadly Women (S2, E3)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Twisted Minds’ on ID: Sylvia Seegrist aka Ms. Rambo Went on Shooting Spree at Pennsylvania Mall (October 23, 2008)

A Middle-Aged Woman Sacrifices Lives for Money (1987):

Full Episode: A beautiful, vibrant young woman fell to her death from a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Initially, investigators thought it was just a terrible accident. But after a closer forensic examination of photographs taken at the scene, police had a very different story of what had happened. -The Financial Downfall, Forensic Files (S9, E12)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Vicious Vixens’ on ID; Virginia Reardon & Billie Joe McGinnis Kill Son’s Wife for Life Insurance Benefits (August 16, 2013)

She Uses Her Children as Money (1988):

A mother’s role is to love & protect her children, but for some, that doesn’t ring true. When a Missouri mom uses her children for money, it’s clear they lack motherly love. -Evil Guardians, Deadly Women (S7, E6)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Evil Guardians’ on Investigation Discovery: Single Mother Ellen Boehm Killed Two Sons for the Life Insurance (August 23, 2013)

Killing For Her Lover (1990):

Preview: Dawn Silvernail, Jennifer Reali, and Bonnie Heady have love stories with bloody and bleak endings. Blinded by desire and malleable, these women fall into relationships with dangerous men. Murder becomes an act of love when they are under his control. -Under His Control, Deadly Women (S4,E10)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Under His Control’ on Investigation Discovery: Brian Hood Used Lover Jennifer Reali to Kill Wife (October 19, 2010)

Mistress Kills Her Lover’s Wife to Escape (1991):

Preview: Seeking freedom from his controlling wife, Dennis Hawley begins seeing drug-addicted prostitute Brandita Taliano and supporting her financially. In 1993, when Joan receives an inheritance and makes plans to divorce, Dennis, fearing financial ruin, enlists his lover to help murder his wife. -Second Best, Deadly Women (S8, E10)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Second Best’ on ID: Dennis Dawley Elicits Help of Mistress Brandita Taliano to Murder Wife (September 19, 2014)

If She Couldn’t Have Them, Nobody Could (1993):

A grandmother caring for her grandchildren, a young girl in love with a boy, a mother protecting her son – are all consumed with intense love. But when that love is threatened, they find it too much to bear and take measures into their own hands. -Deadly Possession, Deadly Women (S5, E10)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Deadly Possession’ on Investigation Discovery: Caroline Young Murdered Two Grandchildren for Revenge (November 11, 2011)

Perfect Wife Plots To Have Husband Killed For Money (1994):

Preview: Susan Russo was a Navy wife who ran a tight ship. But she had a secret life, and devised a way to profit off her husband’s substantial military life insurance. -Cash In, Deadly Women (S10, E6)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Cash In’ on Investigation Discovery: Susan Russo Conspired to Have Husband Murdered for Life Insurance (September 30, 2016)

One Good Man Wasn’t Enough (1997):

For these women, one good man wasn’t enough. An army wife didn’t want a soldier but a squad. -For the Money Honey, Deadly Women (S8, E11)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘For the Money Honey’ on ID: Kelly Gissendaner & Lover Murdered Army Veteran Doug Gissendaner (September 26, 2014)

When Kevin Goes Away, Gina Plays (1997):

Some women can’t resist boy toys. But fur flies when these Deadly Women reveal they’re “Killer Cougars.” -Deadly Women (S10,E1)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Killer Cougars’ on Investigation Discovery: Two Teenagers Promised Money if They Killed Kevin Spann (August 26, 2016)

She Made a Mockery of Marital Commitment (1998):

When some brides vowed to love and honor their husbands, they lied. These Deadly Women made a mockery of marital commitment. They only promised “To Have and To Kill”. -To Have and To Kill, Deadly Women (S8, E14)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘To Have and To Kill’ on ID: Gary Prokop Murdered for Military Death Benefits and Life Insurance (October 17, 2014)

Disabled Veteran Targeted for Disability Benefits & Assets (1999):

Four years after a 71 year-old Korean War hero goes missing near Upland, California, a DA’s investigator picks up a trail of clues that seem to lead to the victim’s closest friends. -Come Back Jack, Murder Book (S2, E13)

Murder Book Premiered ‘Come Back Jack’ on Investigation Discovery: Disabled Veteran Jack Irwin Disappears in Upland, California (February 25, 2016)

A Scorned Lover Weaves a Web of Lies (1999):

Full Episode: Gail Fulton, a librarian living in a Detroit suburb, was gunned down in a parking lot by a trio of Florida killers. Donna Trapani, a nurse from Pensacola, hired the three because she had been jilted by Gail’s husband. -Red Neck Revenge, Mugshots

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Souls of Stone’ on Investigation Discovery: Donna Trapani Hired 3 Hitmen to Kill Lover’s Wife (November 15, 2013)

Thief Murders Boyfriend for the Life Insurance (2001):

With hearts of stone, these Deadly Women give their men special send-offs when “Love Leaves Town.” -Deadly Women (S10, E12)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Love Leaves Town’ on ID: Katrina Bridges Shot Her Sleeping Boyfriend for the Life Insurance (November 25, 2016)

Together They Form a Team with the Cold Power to Kill (2002):

Full Episode: The couple spent Memorial Day weekend at the beach, and then they simply vanished. Their clothes and personal items were still in the rented condo, their car was parked outside, and there were no signs of forced entry or foul play. A week later, police would get an unexpected lead from a robbery in progress, and the evidence they found helped them to solve a crime of unparalleled violence and brutality. -Dirty Little Seacret, Forensic Files (S13, E46)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Lethal Lovers’ on ID: Erika and Benjamin Sifrit Murdered Maryland Tourists Joshua Ford and Martha Crutchley (October 15, 2009)

Life Insurance is a Common Motive for Murder (2002):

Preview: An Army Major lay lifeless in his bed, shot twice at close range while sleeping next to his wife. Investigators would soon uncover an intricately planned murder plot involving sex parties, adultery and coercion. -Behind the Picket Fence, Scorned: Love Kills (S1, E1)

Scorned, Love Kills Premiered ‘Behind the Picket Fence’ on Investigation Discovery: Army Spouse Joan Shannon Finds the Perfect Hitman (January 21, 2012)

Teresa Lewis Used Sex to Get What She Wanted (2002):

Preview: Marriage is a lifelong commitment of love, and wedding vows. ‘To have and to hold; for better, for worse; until death do us part’. But for these monstrous wives, it was only the vow of ‘death do us part’ they upheld. -To Love and To Murder, Deadly Women (S5, E5)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘To Love and To Murder’ on Investigation Discovery: Teresa Lewis Used Sex to Get What She Wanted (August 26, 2011)

She Tormented Her Unsuspecting Neighbor (2003):

Neighbors can be a source of friendship and community comfort. But what happens when a neighbor stops watching out for you, and starts watching you. The sinister minds of these women begin to turn sour and they begin to torment their neighbors. -Loathe Thy Neighbor, Deadly Women (S5, E2)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Loathe Thy Neighbor’ on Investigation Discovery: Shonda Walter Killed Elderly Neighbor for Gang Initiation (August 5, 2011)

A Crazed Mother Took a Custody Battle Too Far (2004):

When these women were betrayed, they demanded payback. They settled their scores by wreaking “Lover’s Revenge”. -Lover’s Revenge, Deadly Women (S8, E8)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Lover’s Revenge’ on ID: When Gregg Whitmore Divorced His Wife, She Demanded Payback (September 5, 2014)

Greedy Navy Spouse Brings her Love Triangle to a Permanent End (2005):

Some women like others to do their dirty work. A drama queen brings her love triangle to a permanent end; an intimate betrayal turns friends into deadly foes; and a loose woman will do anything to protect her freedom. -Murder for Me, Deadly Women (S9,E11)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Murder for Me’ on ID: Greedy Navy Spouse Plans Murder While Paul Berkley Home on Leave (October 23, 2015)

Cougar Seduces, Tortures and Kills Men (2006):

Preview: To the Master Manipulator we are all just pawns in their game. Men, children, friends… anything is possible. For these women, they manipulate others to kill for them… but these girls didn’t get away. -Master Manipulators, Deadly Women (S4,E6)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Master Manipulators’ on ID: Female Killer Sheila LaBarre Sentenced to Life in Prison for Two Homicides (September 16, 2010)

This Deadly Woman Thought She Committed the Perfect Murder (2006):

Preview: Robert McClancy was found dead in his home, but was it suicide triggered from his PTSD, did his best friend who found him turn out to be the one who killed him, or was it his seemingly loving wife behind it all? -Martha Ann McClancy, Snapped (S21, E2)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Hit and Run’ on ID: Martha McClancy & Charles Kaczmarczyk Killed Marine Vet Bob McClancy for Assets (October 6, 2017)

A Former Prom Queen Refuses the Feeling of Rejection (2010):

Preview: Kim Coleman had a lot going for her – except control of her own emotions. Her idea of loving Brian was completely possessing him. Love would never survive her suspicious mind. -Suspicious Minds, Deadly Women (S10, E8)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Suspicious Minds’ on ID: Jealous Girlfriend Kimethia Coleman Fatally Stabbed Brian Spinks (October 22, 2016)

Gold Digger Wants Boyfriend’s Money, Not Him (2011):

With hearts of stone, these Deadly Women give their men special send-offs when “Love Leaves Town.” -Love Leaves Town, Deadly Women (S10, E12)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Love Leaves Town’ on Investigation Discovery: Carmen Montelongo Wanted Samuel Wiggins Money, Not Him (November 25, 2016)

She Ended Her Estranged Husband’s Affair With a Gun (2012):

When their love life goes sour these Deadly Women take lethal revenge. They are “Dumped and Dangerous.” -Dumped and Dangerous, Deadly Women (S11, S13)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Dumped and Dangerous’ on ID: Shannon O’Roark Griffin Ended Husband’s Affair With a Gun (November 24, 2017)

Never Have Sex With a Crazy Ex (2012):

Preview: A young Navy recruit falls for a fellow officer, but becomes overwhelmed by jealousy when she learns he is friendly with the mother of his child. -Cling ‘Til Death, Deadly Women (S10, E4)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Cling ‘Til Death’ on ID: Vegas Bray Killed Navy Veteran Victor Saucedo Because He Dumped Her (September 17, 2016)

A Secret Addiction Drives a Young Woman to Kill (2014):

A secret addiction drives a young woman to sacrifice her wheelchair bound employer; a scheming caregiver betrays the man who trusts her; and a single mother’s desire for a better life leads to a brutal dismemberment. -The Vulnerable, Deadly Women (S9, E13)

Deadly Women Premiered ‘The Vulnerable’ on ID: Sara Moore Killed Disabled Veteran Richard Englander for Drug Money (November 6, 2015)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Deadly Possession’ on Investigation Discovery: Caroline Young Murdered Two Grandchildren for Revenge (November 11, 2011)

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Jen Norris

Related Links:
Caroline Young Murdered Her Grandchildren for Revenge
Caroline Young | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (S5, E10)
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (website)
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Caroline Young Killed 2 Grandchildren After Losing Custody to Marine Recruiter Barrington Bruce; Sentenced to Death (June 18, 1993)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Caroline Young Killed 2 Grandchildren After Losing Custody to Marine Recruiter Barrington Bruce; Sentenced to Death (June 18, 1993)

Posted on June 18, 1993 by Jen Norris

In 1993, Caroline Young, 51, was as devoted to caring for 6-year-old Darin Torres and 4-year-old Dai-Zshia Torres as any mother, but they were not her children. Darin and Dai-Zshia were her daughter’s children, but her daughter did not care for them so Caroline had to step in. Twenty-five year old Vanessa Torres never looked after her own children because she had significant problems with drugs and prostitution. Caroline had full custody of the children since they were infants because the courts deemed their biological mother unfit as a parent. The children’s two different fathers had nothing to do with them and that’s the way Caroline liked it. Darin’s parents never married and separated when Darin was very young; Darin didn’t see his father for most of his life. And both his mother and grandmother didn’t want Darin’s dad in the picture. But in 1993, that suddenly changed when Marine Corps recruiter Barrington Bruce received a $12,000 bill from the State of California for back child support. Darin’s father Barrington, who was living in Virginia at the time, had been looking for his son Darin since he was a toddler. After Caroline Young applied for child support, the family support division found the young Marine Sergeant who was thankful they found him because he wanted to be reunited with his son.

Active duty Marine Barrington Bruce was determined to get the child back so he took legal steps to get custody. Caroline Young realized she made a mistake by asking for child support because the move revealed her grandson’s whereabouts. Caroline did not want the two kids she had taken care of since they were infants separated. She started making outlandish threats and even talked about killing the children rather than losing custody, but nobody believed that she would do it. Former FBI Profiler Candice DeLong explained that for some people their attachment to other people is unhealthy because it consumes them. In the process, they lose their sense of self and the prospect of losing the person they are consumed with causes tremendous pain and disruption. Barrington Bruce was determined to get his son back so he went to court and was awarded full custody. Barrington went through all the proper channels and his family situation was deemed appropriate for taking custody of the child. He had a full-time job in the military, he was married, and his wife had just had a baby. But Profiler DeLong cautions that the stress of losing Darin caused something deep-seated in Caroline, something that she had not dealt with, possibly a desertion by someone in her past when she was a little girl.

After years of daily devotion, Caroline Young was shattered by the idea of losing her grandson because Darin belonged to her. Candice DeLong explained that for some women, a person that they love is not so much a person but a possession that they can’t live without. What started out as an idle threat seemed like Caroline’s only option, because some women find it easier to kill then to say goodbye. On June 18, 1993, Barrington Bruce won custody of Darin and was excited to pick him up. Across town, his son and Darin’s sister were asleep. Caroline had no intention of relinquishing custody of Darin back to his father. She was operating under the misguided notion that if I can’t have these children, no one can. She wrote a suicide note directed towards Darin’s father and then proceeded with murdering both children. Caroline slit little Darin’s throat first. Afterwards, Caroline calmly smoked a cigarette, which Profiler DeLong reminded us was evidence that she had time to pause, think about it, put the knife down, and call for help but she didn’t. When you think of a grandmother, you don’t think of someone who’s capable of doing such a heinous act. This crime was motivated by pure selfishness and there’s nothing more despicable then the murder of innocent children. This was a horrendous crime, unbelievable in it’s depravity.

Darin’s mother, Vanessa Torres, woke up and found her son Darin in bed with his throat slit. It was a chaotic scene to say the least. Vanessa reported that she saw her mom’s clothing covered in blood and in complete horror she asked her mother why she did it. Caroline replied, “the children needed to stay together.” After this brief encounter, Caroline grabbed the baby girl Dai-Zshia and slit her throat and stabbed her in the chest as well. Vanessa managed to call 911 in the midst of the chaos. Profiler DeLong reminded us that killing someone with a knife is a very personal thing. It’s one thing to shoot somebody but to hold someone against your own body and slash their throats is an entirely different crime. Profiler DeLong explained that she could have silently smothered them while they were sleeping but she didn’t or she could have shot them and they would have been killed instantly but she didn’t do that either. Instead, she used a knife to end their life until they succumbed. But Caroline wasn’t finished; she stabbed herself multiple times in an attempt to kill herself. This was a horrible crime scene and Caroline may have been disturbed at the time of the murders but she was definitely not legally insane. She knew what she was doing was wrong and slaughtered Darin and Dai-Zshia anyways.

Detective Bill Cooper, one of the detective’s tasked with investigating the homicides, shared that every officer that touched the crime scene was impacted. It wasn’t enough for Caroline to simply murder Barrington’s little boy, she wanted to taunt him from her grave. Barrington Bruce found out his son was dead when he went to pick him up after he was awarded full custody, and this told the investigators everything they needed to know about Caroline Young. She was blinded by selfishness and vindictive. At the crime scene, investigators discovered a suicide note. She wrote the note as if she was already dead. She said she was a very angry spirit and was going to get even with those who hurt her and the children. She also said directed to Barrington, “every baby your wife has, I will come back and get it.” Caroline’s stabbing suicide attempt failed. On October 27, 1995, Caroline Young was convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. The reason Caroline killed those two children was because she didn’t want to see them separated. It doesn’t make any sense but in her mind murdering them kept them together. On September 6, 2005, Caroline Young died of kidney failure after ten years in jail. Detective Cooper summarized and said there are a few cases in his career that he wished he could forget about and this was one of them.

Source: Deadly Possession, Deadly Women, Investigation Discovery

Related Links:
Dai-Zshia Torres (1990-1993) | Find A Grave
Darin Torres (1987-1993) | Find A Grave
Caroline Young (1943-2005) | Find A Grave Memorial
Hayward woman guilty of killing grandkids
Woman sentenced to die for slaying grandchildren
Hayward Woman Is Sentenced to Death, convicted of murdering 2 grandchildren
Kidney failure claims inmate before execution
Caroline Young Murdered Her Grandchildren for Revenge
When Caregivers Kill: Understanding Child Murder by Parents and Other Guardians
Women and the Death Penalty in the United States, 1900-1998
Caroline Young | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (S5, E10)
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (website)
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Deadly Possession | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Deadly Women Premiered ‘Deadly Possession’ on Investigation Discovery: Caroline Young Murdered Two Grandchildren for Revenge (November 11, 2011)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

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Tag Archives: Caroline Young

Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Deadly Women Premiered ‘Deadly Possession’ on Investigation Discovery: Caroline Young Murdered Two Grandchildren for Revenge (November 11, 2011)

Caroline Young Killed 2 Grandchildren After Losing Custody to Marine Recruiter Barrington Bruce; Sentenced to Death (June 18, 1993)