Ep 9. Diane Staudte
- TV-PG
- July 9, 2017
- 43 min
Diane Staudte, a seemingly normal mother from Springfield, Missouri, shocked her neighbors, friends, and family when she was accused of murdering her husband and poisoning her own son. In Snapped season 20 episode 9, viewers will follow the investigation into Diane's dark past and the events that led to her ultimate downfall.
The episode begins with Diane's husband, Mark Staudte, falling seriously ill. His symptoms were similar to those of a stroke, but doctors were unable to identify the cause of his sudden decline. Months later, Diane's son Shaun began experiencing similar symptoms, and he, too, was hospitalized. It wasn't until Diane's daughter Sarah, who had moved out of the family home, heard rumors about her mother's possible involvement in the illnesses that authorities began to investigate.
As investigators dug deeper into Diane's past, they discovered a web of lies and deceit. Diane had been keeping secrets from her family and friends, including an affair with a co-worker and a history of mental illness. She had also harbored deep resentment towards her husband and son, whom she blamed for her unhappiness.
Despite initial denials, Diane eventually confessed to killing her husband and poisoning her son and daughter. She claimed that she was driven to the acts by years of emotional abuse and the belief that her family would be better off without her.
The episode features interviews with law enforcement officials, family members, and friends of the Staudte family, as well as footage from Diane's trial. Viewers will learn about the intricate details of the investigation and the strong case that was built against Diane.
Snapped season 20 episode 9 delivers a gripping and shocking true crime story that will leave viewers questioning the lengths that people will go to in order to hide their darkest secrets.