On August 22, 2005, authorities were called to the residence of Stacey Castor, 38, in Liverpool, New York, where they discovered her distressed. She had reported to emergency services that her spouse, David Castor, had secluded himself in the bedroom for the entire weekend following an argument.
Upon breaking into the locked bedroom, law enforcement encountered a grim scene: David Castor’s lifeless body lay on the bed. Beside him were a partially filled glass of green liquid, another glass of juice, and an apricot brandy bottle, with a bottle of antifreeze found under the bed.
Initially presumed to be a case of self-inflicted antifreeze poisoning, suspicions arose as Stacey’s fingerprints were found on the lethal glass, along with a turkey baster containing antifreeze drops in the kitchen. David’s sister contested the suicide theory, pointing out that as a mechanic, he would have been aware of the agony caused by antifreeze ingestion.
Further scrutiny revealed a will that excluded David Castor Jr, David’s son from a previous relationship, and instead left all assets to Stacey and her daughters. Investigators also discovered unsettling details about Stacey’s deceased former husband, Michael Wallace, who had died years earlier under suspicious circumstances involving symptoms of antifreeze poisoning despite a misdiagnosis of a heart attack.
Following the exhumation of Wallace’s body and subsequent toxicology analysis, confirming antifreeze poisoning, the focus shifted to Stacey as a potential suspect in both deaths. During questioning, Stacey’s slip-up regarding pouring cranberry juice raised alarms, leading to her request for legal representation.
As the investigation unfolded, Stacey’s daughter, Ashley, was brought into the spotlight. A series of events unfolded, culminating in Ashley being found comatose with a suicide note confessing to the murders of her father and stepfather. Despite surviving a suicide attempt, Ashley denied any involvement when questioned by authorities.
Stacey Castor was eventually arrested and charged with the murder of David and the attempted murder of her daughter. Following a trial where she was found guilty on all charges, she received a lengthy prison sentence. Known as the “Black Widow” in the media, Stacey passed away in prison from a heart attack on June 11, 2016.
