Ep 2. Larissa Schuster
- Not Rated
- January 15, 2009
- 43 min
-
(9)
In this episode of Snapped, we delve into the case of Larissa Schuster, a woman who was convicted of killing her husband by poisoning him with antifreeze. Schuster was a successful dentist who lived in a picturesque home in Indiana with her husband Tim. However, their marriage was far from perfect, as they were known to have a tumultuous relationship.
The episode begins by detailing the events leading up to Tim's death. Schuster had been having an affair with another man, and there were rumors that Tim knew about it. Additionally, Schuster was struggling financially, and Tim had recently taken out a large life insurance policy, with Schuster as the beneficiary. In the weeks leading up to Tim's death, Schuster had purchased antifreeze on multiple occasions- something that would later prove to be a crucial piece of evidence.
On the night that Tim died, Schuster called 911, claiming that her husband was unresponsive. When paramedics arrived on the scene, they noted that Tim's body was covered in vomit and that there was a strange smell coming from his mouth. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to revive him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Initially, Tim's death was thought to be the result of natural causes. However, as the investigation continued, detectives began to suspect foul play. They noted that Schuster had been acting strangely in the days following Tim's death and that there were inconsistencies in her story. Additionally, toxicology reports revealed that Tim had high levels of ethylene glycol in his system- the main ingredient in antifreeze.
As the evidence against her mounted, Schuster maintained her innocence, insisting that Tim's death was a tragic accident. However, prosecutors believed otherwise. They argued that Schuster had carefully planned and executed the murder, motivated by greed and a desire to be with her lover. In 2003, Schuster was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Throughout the episode, we hear from those who knew Schuster and Tim, including friends, family members, and law enforcement officials. We learn about the couple's troubled relationship, as well as Schuster's history of lying and manipulation. Additionally, we hear from the prosecution and defense teams, who provide their perspectives on the case.
Overall, this episode of Snapped provides a detailed and compelling look at the case of Larissa Schuster. Through interviews and reenactments, we gain insight into the events leading up to Tim's death, as well as the investigation and subsequent trial. While Schuster maintains her innocence to this day, the evidence against her is compelling, making for a fascinating and thought-provoking episode of this popular true crime series.