Ep 17. Rags to Royalty

Deadly Women is a show that explores the world of female killers, and in season 1, episode 17, titled "Rags to Royalty," viewers are taken on a journey through three cases of women who employed their wits, charm, and cunning to gain more than just control over their own lives.

The first case follows the dark journey of Belle Starr, a notorious outlaw in the late 1800s, who was born into poverty but aspired to be a wealthy and respected member of high society. As a young woman, Belle married a man named Jim Reed, who was also a notorious outlaw, and together they embarked on a life of crime. However, Belle's dream of becoming a respected member of society couldn't be contained, and she used her cunning and charm to gain access to high society circles. When Reed was killed in a gunfight, Belle went on to marry a wealthy man named Sam Starr and used her newfound status to continue to live a life of crime while rubbing elbows with the elite. However, her luck eventually ran out, and she was gunned down by an unknown assailant. The episode explores the calculated decisions and manipulations that Belle used to navigate the world of outlaws and society's elite.

The second case focuses on Dorothea Puente, who owned and operated a boarding house for the elderly in Sacramento, California in the 1980s. Puente became known as the "Death House Landlady" when it was discovered that she had been drugging, robbing, and killing her residents to collect their social security checks. Puente, who had a history of taking advantage of vulnerable people, was able to evade authorities for years with her charm and ability to manipulate those around her. The episode examines the psychology of the woman who was able to justify killing those in her care for financial gain.

The third case is the story of Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, a brilliant and manipulative mastermind who was convicted of the murder of her boyfriend, James Roden, in 2003. Diehl-Armstrong, who suffered from mental illness, had a long and complicated past of manipulating and hurting those around her. In Roden's case, Diehl-Armstrong convinced him to rob a bank to finance a hit on her father, but when Diehl-Armstrong didn't follow through on her end of the bargain, Roden threatened to go to the police. Diehl-Armstrong then masterminded his murder and set in motion a series of events that would lead to her conviction. The episode explores the complex and twisted mind of the woman who was able to plan and carry out such a heinous crime.

As with all episodes of Deadly Women, "Rags to Royalty" explores the psychology and motivations of each killer, and examines the societal factors that may have contributed to their actions. The show offers a compelling and thought-provoking look into the often-overlooked world of female criminals, and is a must-see for fans of true crime.