The downfall of the Black Widow killer: How a fishing comment about curry led to her demise
Black Widow killer Dena Thompson’s reign of terror came to an end after a seemingly innocuous fishing comment about curry led to her downfall. A new Sky documentary titled Black Widow delves into the chilling details of Thompson’s crimes, shedding light on her calculated and heinous acts of fraud, deception, bigamy, and murder.
Thompson, a Hendon-born femme fatale, used Lonely Hearts columns as her hunting ground, preying on unsuspecting husbands and lovers whom she manipulated with her convincing yet outlandish tales. Through a relentless campaign of manipulation, Thompson coerced her victims into surrendering their life savings, homes, families, and ultimately, their freedom.
The three-part ‘true’ crime series, scheduled to premiere on Sunday, September 15 on Sky Documentaries, paints a chilling portrait of Thompson’s dark and twisted psyche. The series reveals Thompson’s history of bigamy, having married three times – first to Lee Wyatt in 1984, then to Julian Webb in 1991, and finally to Richard Thompson in 1998.
Thompson’s most heinous crime came in June 1994 when she poisoned advertising manager Julian Webb with a lethal cocktail of anti-depressant capsules hidden in his favorite meal – a hot, spicy curry. The murder took place at their home in Douglas Close, Yapton, near Arundel, sending shockwaves through the community.
Thompson’s crimes caught up with her in 2003 when she was arrested and charged with the murder of Julian Webb. Prior to this, she had been convicted of fraud for conning both Wyatt and Richard Thompson. Following a five-week trial, Thompson was sentenced to life in prison for her crimes.
**The Investigation Unravels**
Detective Chief Inspector Martyn Underhill spearheaded the investigation into Julian Webb’s death, tirelessly piecing together Thompson’s web of deceit. The murder investigation faced a setback in 2000 when Sussex Police shifted their focus to the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Sarah Payne. However, DCI Underhill resumed the investigation in 2001, determined to bring Thompson to justice.
During the course of his investigation, DCI Underhill stumbled upon a box of Julian’s belongings, which included letters to a certain Don Hudson in Florida. Don Hudson, a friend of Julian’s, provided a critical clue that would unravel Thompson’s carefully constructed facade.
DCI Underhill and Detective Constable Sean McDonald collaborated with Tampa Police to locate Don Hudson, eventually traveling to the US to seek his cooperation. It was during their interactions with Don Hudson that a crucial piece of information emerged – a comment made by Thompson about Julian having a “really hot curry” on the night of his death.
**The Eureka Moment**
For DCI Underhill, this seemingly innocent comment about curry served as a pivotal breakthrough in the case. He realized that the bitter aftertaste of Dothiepin, the lethal drug used to poison Julian, could have easily been disguised in a spicy curry. This revelation shed light on the method Thompson employed to murder her husband, leading to her ultimate downfall.
Describing this moment as his “eureka” moment, DCI Underhill remarked, “That was the moment for me. That was my Pandora’s box.” The pieces of the puzzle started falling into place as he connected the dots, realizing how Thompson had administered the fatal dose of medication to Julian.
**The Arrest**
Armed with this crucial information, police officers wasted no time in apprehending Thompson at her home in Cullompton, Devon in August 2002. She was arrested and transported to Crawley for questioning about her late husband’s death. Despite her claims of having no recollection of Julian’s demise, Thompson was found guilty of murder at The Old Bailey and sentenced to life in prison.
The Sky documentary Black Widow promises to offer a gripping and chilling account of Thompson’s crimes, utilizing reenactments to bring the harrowing events to life. Through meticulous investigation and unwavering determination, law enforcement officials were able to unravel Thompson’s dark and twisted web of deceit, ultimately bringing her to justice for her heinous crimes.