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Experts question case against American in millionaire husband's death in Costa Rica

August 22, 2014 / 03:41

This episode discusses the tragic case of Anne Bender, her husband John Bender, and the events surrounding his death in Costa Rica. Key topics include their struggles with depression, the sanctuary they built, and the subsequent murder trial.

Anne and John Bender purchased 5,000 acres of rainforest in Costa Rica in 1998, aiming to create a wildlife sanctuary. Despite their wealth, both struggled with depression, which isolated them from society, as noted by John's friend Pete Delisi.

In January 2010, Anne awoke to find John pointing a gun at his head. After a struggle, the gun went off, leading to John's death. Investigators charged Anne with murder, doubting her account of the incident.

Forensic experts Richard and Selma Iin B reviewed the case, criticizing the investigation for its lack of scientific rigor. They argued that the evidence supported Anne's claim that John's death was an accident, not a homicide.

As Anne faces a potential 25-year prison sentence, the episode highlights the complexities of the case and the impact of mental health on their lives.

TLDR

Anne Bender faces murder charges after her husband John's tragic death in Costa Rica, amid struggles with depression and flawed investigations.

Episode

3:41
00:00:04
see the ridge line that's closest to us that that's the house oh my God 50,000 Square ft of living space it
00:00:13
was once the dream home of an and John Bender a Wall Street whiz who made more than $80 million before he was 30 years
00:00:22
old it was love at first site for both of us he was everything that to me symbolized a future with a capital
00:00:32
f and their future they decided was here in Costa Rica in 1998 they bought 5,000
00:00:40
Acres of rainforest and built a sanctuary for wildlife it was a sanctuary for the Benders as well both
00:00:48
had struggled over the years with depression says John's friend Pete delisi John and an had problems that
00:00:54
money just couldn't fix the sanctuary brought electricity water and jobs to the area but some locals resented both
00:01:02
the Benders and their money in the rainforest they relied completely on one another according to reporter and CBS
00:01:09
News consultant Ned Zeman and their problems grew Depression was an immense bond between them because it's a very
00:01:17
isolating disease and people tend to retreat from it pull away from society by late 2009 they were spiraling down
00:01:25
and stopped eating John was suicidal on on January 8th 2010 Anne says she suddenly awoke to see her
00:01:34
husband pointing a pistol at his head I tried to grab the gun were you able to get it no I was able to get my hands
00:01:45
around his and the gun slipped and it went off investigators found Bender in bed
00:01:56
sheets up eyes closed earplugs in and they became suspicious right away they didn't believe an's story of a
00:02:05
struggle and to her shock charged her with murder you had no role in this whatsoever not I tried to stop him and
00:02:15
Maxine Patton she is being tried before a three judge panel in a case where forensic evidence is key I'm telling the
00:02:24
truth okay what we can do is that we put this thing in front of the camera so key
00:02:29
that 48 hired world famous forensic experts Richard and Selma iin b to review it and reconstruct what happened
00:02:38
that night looking at this investigation how would you grade it very poor they say investigators made a series of
00:02:45
mistakes not even fingerprinting the gun mistakes all based on one preconceived idea pathology report is very straight
00:02:55
from the beginning this is a homicide this is a homicide and let's prove it homicide the prosecutor said if you're
00:03:02
going to shoot yourself everyone knows it's here or it's here or it's here well that's completely unscientific if that's
00:03:10
an example of the logic they used in this case then I'm really very worried there's no evidence that proves Beyond a
00:03:17
reasonable doubt that I killed John the ecoland bombs tend to agree saying their experiments much more
00:03:25
closely support an's story that this was a horrible accident than the prosecutor's theory that she murdered
00:03:32
her husband in his sleep for Anne Bender there could not be more at stake I'm looking at 25 years in prison

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most shocking
  • 80
    Biggest twist
  • 75
    Most heartbreaking
  • 75
    Most unpredictable

Episode Highlights

  • The Dream Home
    The Benders fell in love with a sprawling 50,000 square foot house in Costa Rica.
    “It was love at first sight for both of us.”
    @ 00m 22s
    August 22, 2014
  • Struggles with Depression
    Both John and Anne battled depression, which created a deep bond between them.
    “Depression was an immense bond between them.”
    @ 01m 12s
    August 22, 2014
  • A Tragic Night
    On January 8, 2010, Anne awoke to find John pointing a gun at his head.
    “I tried to grab the gun.”
    @ 01m 37s
    August 22, 2014
  • Murder Charges
    Anne was charged with murder despite her claims of trying to save John.
    “I'm telling the truth, okay?”
    @ 02m 24s
    August 22, 2014
  • The Defense
    Anne argues there's no evidence to prove she killed her husband.
    “There's no evidence that proves Beyond a reasonable doubt that I killed John.”
    @ 03m 17s
    August 22, 2014

Episode Quotes

  • It was love at first sight for both of us.
    Experts question case against American in millionaire husband's death in Costa Rica
  • Depression was an immense bond between them.
    Experts question case against American in millionaire husband's death in Costa Rica
  • I tried to grab the gun.
    Experts question case against American in millionaire husband's death in Costa Rica
  • I'm telling the truth, okay?
    Experts question case against American in millionaire husband's death in Costa Rica
  • There's no evidence that proves Beyond a reasonable doubt that I killed John.
    Experts question case against American in millionaire husband's death in Costa Rica

Key Moments

  • Dream Home00:07
  • Shared Struggles00:48
  • Desperate Attempt01:37
  • Murder Trial02:08
  • Defense Claims03:17

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown