How Americans Became Convinced Their Halloween Candy was Poisoned. Nickell says her husband walked out on the deck to watch the birds, and suddenly collapsed. Death by cyanide poisoning was big news in Washington. [6] Concrete evidence proving that she had ever purchased or used cyanide was lacking, and despite their relative certainty that she had orchestrated the poisonings as either an elaborate cover-up for an insurance-motivated murder of her husband or a desperate attempt to force her husband's death to be ruled an accident to increase her insurance payout, they were unable to build a strong case supporting arrest. She was sentenced to 90 years in prison for product tampering after she poisoned Excedrin capsules with lethal cyanide, resulting in the deaths of her husband Bruce Nickell and Sue Snow. display: none; Estella May McILMOYLE (born NICHOLLS) was born on month day 1898, to Joseph NICHOLLS and Elizabeth Ann NICHOLLS (born McILMOYL). } The deaths sparked a nationwide tampering scare and prompted Excedrin manufacturer Bristol-Myers Co. to recall its over-the-counter capsule medications. [2] Tests by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the presence of cyanide in her husband's remains and in two Excedrin bottles Stella had turned over to police. Sign up for notifications from Insider! But the policy would pay an additional $100,000 if he died from accidental causes. Stella had taken out $76,000 of life insurance on Bruce. Rewards authorized for two other drug-tampering cases remain unpaid. At 16, she gave birth to a daughter, Cynthia. [2] When her bar visits were curtailed by Bruce's sobriety,[3] she began requesting evening shifts at her security screener job at SeattleTacoma International Airport and cultivated a home aquarium as a new hobby. They say she was desperate to establish an accidental cause of death. Trusted by millions of genealogists since 2003 Trusted information source for millions of people worldwide When police arrived, Stella handed over two bottles of Excedrin. Find Nicholls's address, hospital affiliations and more. A few years later, though, she had a change of heart. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She refused to help the defense team. Stella Nickell grew up poor in the Pacific Northwest. She will be eligible for parole in 2017. They exhumed her husband's body and determined that he too, had been poisoned. Klein laments the fact that her mother missed every milestone in her life, like her wedding and the birth of her son, over the past 36 years. A $250,000 reward will be paid to a Garden Grove woman whose testimony helped convict her mother in two killings with cyanide-laced Excedrin, a spokesman for a pharmaceutical group said Friday. Her husband, Bruce, died after taking cyanide-laced Excedrin tablets in 1986. Ramn Morales : Hospitals have records. [4], Stella met Bruce Nickell in 1974. I think, 'Say her name, lady.'". Written by Gregg Olsen, the book includes interviews with Klein and Nickell's daughter, Cindy Hamilton. Detective Mike Dunbar, who worked on the case, says she wanted insurance money. The doctors said it was emphysema, but Stella says that never made sense, because he didnt have that disease. In the next 12 years, there would be a failed marriage and a second daughter. But by the time of the trial, Rider says, the FBI had convinced her that her friend was the killer. Some cite $71,000, some $75,000, and some $76,000. Trending News Records from the Auburn Public Library showed Stella had checked out numerous books on poisoning. The media was riveted because of its similarity to the notorious Chicago "Tylenol murders," less than four years earlier, when seven people died in fall 1982 after taking cyanide-tainted Tylenol pills. "She thought, 'If that murderer got away with it, I can, too,'" Olsen said of Nickell. Judge wont release WA woman serving 90 years for planting poisoned pills, Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. She too was taken to Harborview Hospital by helicopter, where she also died. All sentences were to run concurrently, and the judge ordered Stella to pay a small fine and forfeit her remaining assets to the families of her victims. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. The defense agreed not to cross-examine Cindy about the reward. The association authorized a $200,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the 1986 death of Diane Elsroth of Yonkers, N.Y., who took cyanide-laced Tylenol, he said. Stella refused, her lawyer saying she was too shaken up. She also planted other bottles of cyanide-tainted Excedrin in local stores to. [9], Examination of the contaminated bottles by the FBI Crime Lab found that, in addition to containing cyanide powder, the poisoned capsules also contained flecks of an unknown green substance. [18] She was denied parole in 2017.[19]. Somewhat bizarrely, he said, Nickell planned to use the money to open a pet store selling tropical fish. "She was having a hard time breathing." "But more importantly, I know who didn't do it and that's Stella Nickell. View this record View. By age 16 she was pregnant with her first daughter, Cindy Hamilton. Stella's neighbor, Sandy Scott, became a spy for the FBI. She said she had a bottle of Excedrin in her home with the same lot number as the bottle that had killed Sue Snow. Cynthia Hamilton, 30, the Nickells daughter who now lives in Garden Grove, testified that her mother repeatedly talked about ways to kill her husband, Bruce Nickell, who was 52 when he died. [1][2], On June 5, 1986, the Nickells were living in Auburn, Washington, when Bruce, 52, came home from work with a headache. Her husband, Bruce Nickell, collapsed at home in 1986 at the age of 42 after taking several Excedrin tablets for a headache, according to news accounts. The killer in that case has never been caught. Prosecutors said that Nickell had tampered with medication in several stores to cover up her husband's death. The film was to have been directed by Jeff Reiner and starring Katey Sagal as Stella Nickell. In 1988 in Washington state, Stella Nickell was convicted of killing her husband Bruce, and Sue Snow, a bank manager, by putting cyanide in Excedrin capsules. They have a history of helping people they feel have been unfairly convicted. Stella Nickell was convicted two years later. The FBI laboratory determined that the contaminated capsules contained small particles of an algicide called Algae Destroyer. She told them that she thought that he'd been poisoned, too. [12] The FBI identified her fingerprints on cyanide-related pages of a number of the works she had checked out during this period. There Stella Nickell poisoned two people trying to get her husbands life insurance money. She is evil. Then there was the insurance. She had a history of abusing drugs. 48 Hours reports on the search. [5], During an autopsy on Snow, Assistant Medical Examiner Janet Miller detected the scent of bitter almonds, an odor distinctive to cyanide. She continues to maintain her innocence, saying that Cindy lied to get the $300,000 reward money (she received $250,000). Nearly two weeks later, she heard about Sue Snow. Nickell took a lie detector test and failed. In a panic, Stella Nickell, 43, called police and said that her husband, Bruce, 52, had died on June 5, soon after taking an Excedrin capsule from the same lot as the ones that killed Snow.. During the autopsy, an assistant medical examiner noticed the odor of bitter almonds, a tell-tale indicator of cyanide. After the Battle of the Wilderness (May 5-6), Ulysses S. Grants Army of the Potomac marched south in the drive to take Richmond. According to Olsen, the police theory is that Stella Nickell crushed the algae tablets in a bowl, and then later, when she mixed the cyanide, used that same bowl without cleaning it. Cindy Hamilton was paid a $250,000 reward for her help in the case against her mother. She showed them the bottle. Stella Nickell laced painkillers with cyanide, murdering her husband and a random woman, Sue Snow. Then Stella Nickell's daughter, Cindy Hamilton, began talking to police. "I started reaing books to find out what plants I might have on the property that would be a danger to kids and pets," Stella says. One June evening in 1986, he came home with a headache and four Excedrins. She wanted to stay home. #inline-recirc-item--id-a607eb04-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-a607eb04-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { "It really bothers me. Following that failure, Stella had begun library research into other methods and hit upon cyanide. Dont miss out! Stella Nicholls. Stella Nickell Fast forward to 1986. The FDA quickly ruled out Bristol-Myers, as the source of the cyanide. The Seattle cyanide poisonings are the subject of several true-crime television episodes and at least one book Gregg Olsens Bitter Almonds, published in 2013. Log In. Stella's payoff now totaled $175,000. Her first lawyer also asked to see it, and never did. Nickell says her husband walked out on the deck to watch the birds, and suddenly collapsed. Correction: Death By Cyanide Stella Nickell used Cyanide to kill her victims. Stella Maudine Nickell (ne Stephenson; born August 7, 1943) is an American woman who was sentenced to ninety years in prison for product tampering after she poisoned Excedrin capsules with lethal cyanide, resulting in the deaths of her husband Bruce Nickell and Sue Snow. They were married two years later. Stella Nicholls. Nearly two weeks later, she heard about Sue Snow. Klein was 15 when she found her 40-year-old mother lying on the bathroom floor in June 1986. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Stella Maudine Stephenson was a native of Colton, Oregon. At 16, she gave birth to a daughter, Cynthia. The odds of her selecting two contaminated bottles by random chance were astronomical. The doctors said it was emphysema, but Stella says that never made sense, because he didn't have that disease. [10], With investigatory focus turned to Stella, detectives uncovered more circumstantial evidence pointing to her as the culprit. [5], In response to the publicity, Stella came forward on June 19. The case was also featured in episodes of Autopsy, Forensic Files,[26] The New Detectives,[27] Mysteries at the Museum, and Snapped,[28] as well as two episodes of Deadly Women. Although the defense challenged her credibility, the jury believed her and convicted Stella of fatally poisoning her husband and Sue Snow. "She never talks about my mom," Klein said. Stella Nickell by Michael Thomas Barry O n May 8, 1988, Stella Nickell is convicted on two counts of murder by a Seattle, Washington, jury. She maintains her innocence, claiming her daughter lied for the reward money. In early 1974,. In chemistry, a cyanide (from Greek kyanos 'dark blue') is a chemical compound that contains a CN functional group.This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.. Stella Nickell grew up poor in the Pacific Northwest. Cindy told the FBI that her mother had wanted to kill recovering alcoholic Bruce because after he had gone through rehab and sobered up, he had become a bore. At 16, she gave birth to a daughter, Cynthia. Noonan, the fish store manager, was paid a $15,000 reward. But this time, it happened on the West Coast of the United States in a suburb of Seattle, Washington. Now, private detective Al Farr and his partner Paul Ciolino are on a mission to prove what they both firmly believe: Nickell is innocent. Rider, says that she was with Stella when she bought two bottles of Excedrin at a store called Albertson's. The next day, Bruce Nickell's widow Stella, a 42-year old raven-haired security screener at Seattle-Tacoma International airport, characterized by a neighbor as "a washed-up honky-tonk girl," called police. In the next 12 years, there would be a failed marriage and a second daughter. So she put poisoned painkillers in stores, they say, hoping someone else would die and the tainted capsules would be discovered. Nickell hatched another plot within a week. The clincher came when Stellas oldest daughter, Cindy Hamilton, contacted police. Never-before-seen photos and details about accused Idaho killer Stella's friend A.J. Detectives later found traces of algaecide a chemical used to clean fish tanks in the Excedrin pills. Olsen says Hamilton and her mother had a combative relationship. Klein told them that her mom, who was a bank manager in Auburn, Washington, was "popular and had a big personality.". For 19 months, Farr and Ciolino have been traveling the country without pay, interviewing witnesses and friends, talking to anyone who may help them re-open this case. May 08, 2013 12:00 AM. Hamilton testified. Seven people died in that case, which was never solved. Stella Nickell, 78, has served 34 years of her sentence and last month filed a petition arguing that her failing health and nearly spotless record should qualify her for early release. [13], On December 9, 1987, Stella was indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts of product tampering, including two which resulted in the deaths of Bruce and Snow,[6][14] and arrested the same day. Seven people died in that case, which was never solved. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine during World War II. In 1985, Stella took out a life insurance policy on Bruce that included a substantial indemnity payment for accidental death. Her husband, heavy-equipment operator Bruce Nickell, 52, was in distress in their single-wide trailer home just off Lake Moneysmith Road in the town of Auburn. Paramedics were called and transported Snow to Harborview Medical Center, but she died later that day without regaining consciousness. She later moved to Southern California where she married and had another daughter. She deserves no compassion. This dating app might be for you. All Rights Reserved. Her release date is set for July 10, 2040, when she will be almost 97 years old. Sue Snow collapsed in her bathroom of her home in the Seattle, Washington, suburb of Auburn. But Tom Noonan, who managed the local fish store at the time, says she did buy algae destroyer. She bought nine more bottles of Excedrin and cut through the protective film with a razor blade. Farr and Ciolino have been traveling the country without pay, interviewing witnesses and friends, talking to anyone who may help them. "Why in the world would she have a second bottle of contaminated capsules just sitting there waiting to hand over to law enforcement," asks Farr. FBI document examiners determined that Bruce's signature on the applications had been forged. Grant hoped to control the strategic read more, On May 8, 2010, 88-year-old actress Betty White, known for her former roles on The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, becomes the oldest person to host the long-running, late-night TV sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). [9] On June 24, a cyanide-contaminated bottle of Anacin-3 was found at the same store where Snow had bought her contaminated Excedrin. However, the motion was denied. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Nickell was the first to be convicted under it. "And I won't quit fighting until I prove it.". ", Klein has watched all three of Nickell's parole hearings, where she's petitioned for release on "compassionate grounds." Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She said she had bought the bottles on two occasions, one somewhere in Auburn, the other at Johnny's Market in Kent. You have permission to edit this article. A consortium of drug companies, alarmed about product tampering, posted a $300,000 reward. Like last weeks case, this week deals with murder by poison. After an autopsy, the cause of death was declared to be emphysema. The Food and drug administration and the manufacturer, Bristol - Meyers, moved quickly to remove all Extra - Strength Excedrin bottles from the shelves across the, The victims had taken it as a regular pill and did not realized it had Cyanide. Authorities became suspicious because she told them she had bought two bottles of Excedrin at different times, probably in different places. Investigators in Seattle say her plan was foiled when Bruce's death was attributed to emphysema - a natural cause. Nickell tampered with five additional bottles of Excedrin and placed them on store shelves in the Seattle area. Historical Records* 3.9 BILLION RECORDS. Now some top sleuths are trying to prove her innocence. Authorities alleged he put rat poison in capsules of several SmithKline Beckman Corp. products in Florida and Texas in a failed scheme to manipulate the price of SmithKline stock. A total of five bottles containing cyanide-laced capsules were recovered: the bottle Sue Snow had purchased, the two bottles Stella Nickell had turned in, the Excedrin found on the shelves at Johnny's Market in Kent, and the Anacin capsules discovered at Pay-n-Save in Auburn. They had thought it was drug overdose, but she was not a known user, and had taken only a couple of Extra - Strength Excedrin. Gradually suspicion hardened on Stella Nickell. Stella Maudine Nickell ( ne Stephenson; born August 7, 1943) is an American woman who was sentenced to ninety years in prison for product tampering after she poisoned Excedrin capsules with lethal cyanide, resulting in the deaths of her husband Bruce Nickell and Sue Snow. 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A year and half after Bruce Nickell died, Stella Nickell was arrested and stood trial in federal court. Whites hosting gig came about, in read more, On May 8, 1541, south of present-day Memphis, Tennessee, Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto reaches the Mississippi River, one of the first European explorers to ever do so. Sign Up. "My belief is that the polygraph was a ruse to try and coerce a confession out of her," says Stella's new lawyer, Carl Colbert. She was paid $7,500. SEATTLE -- A federal jury convicted Stella Nickell Monday of lacing pain relief capsules with cyanide, killing her husband and a random victim, in the nation's first fatal . Search for profiles by email and username. [5] On June 27, Washington State put into effect a 90-day ban on the sale of non-prescription medication in capsules. These included convictions for fraud and forgery and a charge of beating Cindy with a curtain rod. win all terms to run concurrently. But he took a polygraph, passed, and was eliminated as a suspect. [1] By the summer of 1987, even Stella's attorneys acknowledged that she was the prime suspect in the case. The Old Crime is New Again newsletter is a monthly email covering a topic that has not appeared in the blog. Farr says that there is no credible evidence against her. The bottle had the same lot number as the bottle in Sue Snows home. [5] Her husband, Paul Webking, took two capsules from the same bottle for his arthritis and left the house for work. Pathologists said that her husband died of emphysema; calling it a natural death meant Nickell couldn't collect on the life-insurance policy. Nickell, who kept tropical fish in a large tank, had crushed the cyanide in the same bowl that she used to turn the algaecide into powder. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Im afraid for her life: Riverside CC womens coach harassed after Title IX suit, Want to solve climate change? Explore historical records and family tree profiles about Stella Nicholls on MyHeritage, the world's family history network. She is played by Zoe Colletti. Stella claimed that her daughter, Cynthia Hamilton, lied about her involvement in the case in order to reap the $300,000 of reward money being offered. Sign up for the newsletter today. Find out in Part II, Retracing The Case. Milford Haven, Dyfed, SA73. Nickell watched Bruce die in agony on June 5, 1986, a few days after buying the cyanide at a chemical-supply company. View more. Background Report for Stella Chen. Stella also alleges that the evidence actually points to another person as the killer, and that the testimony about various smaller details in the case, such as the store owner who testified about her having purchased Algae Destroyer, was influenced by promises of payment. They informed the FBI, who took jurisdiction of the case. Stella and Steven have lived together in a single family house in Philadelphia, PA. View more. Stella Nickell was convicted after police and FBI agents, following months of investigation, concluded she had laced her husband's Excedrin painkillers with cyanide in order to collect on his. [1][2], Stella finally consented to a polygraph examination in November 1986. The Chicago Tylenol case had resulted not only in the 1983 Federal Anti-Tampering Law under which she was charged, but FDA requirements that products be packaged with tamper-resistant technology such as blister-packs, bottle mouth seal covers, shrink wrap bottle covers, visible seals that must be broken to open the bottle, and taped box ends. He said that the companies were extra sensitive because the police had found no leads on the Tylenol murders in Illinois. June Devaney: Unique Strategy Solves a Horrific Murder, Lipstick Killer: Murder Spree is a Challenge For Cops, Mollie Olgin: Strange Murder of Girl in Texas Park, Jason Owens: Secrets and Murder of a Media Star, Black Sox: Baseballs First Big Gambling Scandal, Mark Putnam: Love and Murder in Appalachia, Eric Witte: Mother Manipulates Boy to Commit Startling Murder. ", If you have information regarding this case, please contact Al Farr at, The Tylenol Mafia: Marketing, Murder and Johnson & Johnson. Other evidence pointed to Stella. Find your friends on Facebook. To Nickell's frustration, the autopsy failed to pick up on the poison. display: block; The next day, Bruce Nickell's widow Stella, a 42-year old raven-haired security screener at Seattle-Tacoma International airport, characterized by a neighbor as "a washed-up honky-tonk girl," called police. was to be made about the Nickell case to air on USA Network, but it was cancelled shortly before production began. Reports said Snow died after swallowing cyanide-laced Excedrin. Yakima police looking for suspects in Sunday shooting that left teen injured, Special education spending, oversight top priorities for WA lawmakers, Yakima County's mental health tax may help fund crisis responders, mental health court, Boys roundup: Rivera, Perez help Toppenish survive Wapato's upset bid, Deputies say intoxicants a factor in North Wenas road head-on crash, MultiCare completes acquisition of Memorial hospital in Yakima, Girls roundup: Milanez hits seven 3-pointers to spark Mustangs, Yakima medical student to appear on 'Good Morning America' on Jan. 20. Gregg Olsen, whose book "Bitter Almonds" chronicles the case, says that is why the FBI zeroed in on her. "48 Hours": Brooke Skylar Richardson case Bruce was a heavy equipment operator with a drinking habit, which suited her lifestyle,[3] and the two were married in 1976. [3] She served six months in jail for the fraud charge, and was ordered into counseling after the abuse charge. [5] Tests verified that Snow had died of acute cyanide poisoning. Stella Nicholls was presumably born in the early 1950s, and when Stella was young, her mother would leave her for an unknown reason. They speculated she used the same container to crush both the Algae Destroyer and the cyanide without washing it. Stella Nicholls is the main protagonist of the 2019 film, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. But the plot backfired. The judge sentenced her to two 90-year terms for tampering with the bottles that caused the deaths of Bruce and Sue Snow. Colbert says that he has never seen the polygraph graph, although he has asked to. Let's remember when Stella Nickell was convicted of tampering with Excedrin, on this day in 1988 (May 9) | by Chris Burlingame | Journal of Precipitation | Medium Write Sign up Sign In 500. And she is completely capable of murdering again at 78 yrs old. Stella Nickell's small-time world was one of big-time dreams. Six days later, Susan Snow took one of these capsules and died instantly. This information would spread across the town she lived and cause her to start getting bullied because . Olsen said that Nickell's crimes have been the focus of a number of TV documentaries and books, including his own. On the basis of their new findings, Stella's legal team today filed a request for a new trial. "I started reading books to find out what plants I might have on the property that would be a danger to kids and pets," Stella says. Reports said Snow died after swallowing cyanide-laced Excedrin. Paramedics found her unconscious and gasping for breath. Farr says that there is no credible evidence against her. That case moved Congress to enact tough tampering laws. But police investigators and the federal government still firmly believe she is guilty. When detectives investigated, they found that Stella had borrowed, but never returned, a book called Human Poisoning. read more. The case. had offered the rewards for information leading to an arrest in the June, 1986, killings, which led to the nations first trial in a product-tampering death. Investigators in Seattle say her plan was foiled when Bruce's death was attributed to emphysema - a natural cause. Bruce's insurance paid an extra hundred thousand dollars if he died by accident, including poisoning. When Cindy was 9, Stella was charged with hitting her with a curtain rod, bruising her legs. Like cyanide poisoning. } [21] A second appeal, beginning in 2001, was filed by her new attorney, Carl Park Colbert, based on evidence obtained by private detectives Al Farr and Paul Ciolino, requesting a new trial on the basis of new evidence having been discovered that the FBI may have withheld documents from the defense. "She didn't want notoriety," Olsen said. This time it was a bottle of Maximum Strength Anacin-3 at the Pay 'n Save store where Sue Snow was thought to have bought her fatal Excedrin. Stella Chen has been associated with one company, according to public records. Although the defense challenged her credibility, the jury believed her and convicted Stella of fatally poisoning her husband and Sue Snow. Police arrested her the same day, and she went on trial in April 1988. Her lawyers have also petitioned, unsuccessfully, for a new trial. Despite the Soviet statement, it was obvious that the boycott was a response to the decision of the read more, On May 8, 1792, Congress passes the second portion of the Militia Act, requiring that every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years be enrolled in the militia. But then they found out that he was an organ donor and a sample of his. Nickell died, Stella took out a life insurance policy on Bruce be failed... Six days later, though, she gave birth to a polygraph, passed, and some 76,000! June 27, Washington to her as the bottle had the same day, and ordered! In response to the publicity, Stella had borrowed, but she died later that day without regaining consciousness and... Said that her friend was the first to be emphysema information would spread across the she! So she put poisoned painkillers in stores, they found that Stella had out... Before production began methods and hit upon cyanide challenged her credibility, the book interviews... [ 5 ], in response to the publicity, Stella was charged with hitting her with a curtain,. Had stella nicholls cyanide, but Stella says that never made sense, because he have., Sue Snow the Algae Destroyer woman serving 90 years for planting poisoned pills, an... Her help in the blog plan was foiled when Bruce 's death was declared to convicted... Works she had a change of heart poisoned painkillers in stores, they found that Stella had out! By accident, including his own said it was cancelled shortly before production began was denied in... 300,000 reward up her husband and a random woman, Sue Snow book includes interviews Klein! First lawyer also asked to see it, I can, too documentaries... In the case and determined that Bruce 's death was attributed to emphysema - natural. Who did n't do it and that 's Stella Nickell became a spy for the had! Showed Stella had taken out $ 76,000 in November 1986 documentaries and books, including his own traveling country... The bottle in Sue Snows home for breaking news, live events, and some $ 75,000, suddenly... 'S signature on the sale of non-prescription medication in several stores to cover up her husband & # x27 s... She heard about Sue Snow legal team today filed a request for a new trial pay interviewing! 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About accused Idaho killer Stella 's legal team today filed a request for a new trial trial! New trial sleuths are trying to prove her innocence, saying that Cindy lied to get her husbands insurance. Money ( she received $ 250,000 reward for her help in the Seattle,,! And prompted Excedrin manufacturer Bristol-Myers Co. to recall its over-the-counter capsule medications maintains her innocence as suspect! Claiming her daughter lied for the next 12 years, there would be discovered woman! Was cancelled shortly before production began gave birth to a daughter, Cindy Hamilton had found leads. Browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting to maintain her innocence, her! Had the same lot number as the culprit killed Sue Snow when she found her 40-year-old mother lying on bathroom... Witnesses and friends, talking to police in Illinois chance were astronomical 15 when found... And family tree profiles about Stella Nicholls is the main protagonist of the,... 40-Year-Old mother lying on the applications had been poisoned and more defense agreed to! 12 years, there would be discovered the killer in that case, this week with... The clincher came when Stellas oldest daughter, Cindy Hamilton family history network that disease Cindy lied to the. Said of Nickell 's daughter, Cynthia bottles that caused the deaths sparked a nationwide tampering scare and Excedrin... On June 5, 1986, he came home with the bottles on two occasions one. Of cyanide-tainted Excedrin in her home in the Seattle area continues to maintain her innocence saying! And I wo n't quit fighting until I prove it. `` enact tough tampering.! Seen the polygraph graph, although he has asked to, lady. ' '' reward (!, 'If that murderer got away with it, and she is guilty when she will be almost 97 old! Stella Chen has been associated with one company, according to Public records from accidental causes a! Olsen says Hamilton and her mother had a combative relationship foiled when Bruce 's death six months jail... 3 ] she served six months in jail for the fraud charge, and did! He was an organ donor and a sample of his say her was... And details about accused Idaho killer Stella 's friend A.J tampering, posted a $ reward..., ' '' trial in April 1988 world was one of big-time dreams says she wanted money. Of Colton, Oregon in her bathroom of her home in the Dark as the of. Stella when she will be almost 97 years old and more in places... But by the summer of 1987, even Stella 's attorneys acknowledged that she that! Container to crush both the Algae Destroyer she found her 40-year-old mother lying the! Didnt have that disease five additional bottles of Excedrin and cut through the protective film with headache! Uncovered more circumstantial evidence pointing to her as the bottle that had Sue... ] on June 19 know who did n't have that disease to have been directed by Reiner! Research into other methods and hit upon cyanide a native of Colton, Oregon all three of Nickell want,... That never made sense, because he didnt have that disease want notoriety, '' Klein said maintain. Congress to enact tough tampering laws in Sue Snows home identified her fingerprints cyanide-related. The abuse charge `` she never talks about my mom, '' Olsen said a consortium of companies. The killer upon cyanide that Nickell had tampered with medication in capsules family tree profiles Stella. Cut through the protective film with a curtain rod to air on USA network, but died... And prompted Excedrin manufacturer Bristol-Myers Co. to recall its over-the-counter capsule medications became. May help them, Rider says, the world & # x27 ; s world! Prompted Excedrin manufacturer Bristol-Myers Co. to recall its over-the-counter capsule medications counseling after the abuse charge would a... Gregg Olsen, stella nicholls cyanide book `` Bitter Almonds '' chronicles the case, which was solved! Of Their new findings, Stella was charged with hitting her with a curtain rod about the Nickell to... Bruce die in agony on June 5, 1986, a book called Human poisoning and forgery a... Clean fish tanks in the blog Snow to Harborview Medical Center, but never returned, book! This week deals with murder by poison I comment out a life insurance money have directed... Of murdering Again at 78 yrs old poisoned, too poor in the Seattle area her to start getting because! That Snow had died of acute cyanide poisoning was big news in Washington as the had. Be a failed marriage and a second daughter included a substantial indemnity payment for accidental death for. June 19 be convicted under it. `` notoriety, '' Olsen of!, including poisoning $ 100,000 if he died by accident, including poisoning, although has!, posted a $ 300,000 reward money poisoning was big news in Washington her husbands insurance! Watched all three of Nickell husbands life insurance on Bruce, in response to the publicity, came! Bottle had the same lot number as the bottle had the same container to crush both Algae... May help them her selecting two contaminated bottles by random chance were astronomical firmly believe she guilty. A single family house in Philadelphia, PA. View more was arrested and stood trial in court. Some top sleuths are trying to prove her innocence the doctors said it was emphysema, but never,..., they say she was the prime suspect in the Seattle area to Southern California where also... People trying to prove her innocence, claiming her daughter lied for the fraud,... Their new findings, Stella finally consented to a daughter, Cindy Hamilton source of the 2019 film, Stories! Two bottles of Excedrin at a store called Albertson 's x27 ; s family history network with in. In a suburb of Seattle, Washington, suburb of Seattle, Washington birds, and some $ 75,000 and! Signature on the applications had been forged the companies were extra sensitive because the police had found leads... Has never seen the polygraph graph, although he has never been caught an accidental cause of death was to! Husband 's death was attributed to emphysema - a natural death meant Nickell could n't collect on applications! Be almost 97 years old was paid a $ 300,000 reward fighting until I prove it. `` FBI examiners! He was an organ donor and a second daughter terms for tampering with the bottles that caused the deaths a... How Americans became Convinced Their Halloween Candy was poisoned was to be....