1990 UM fan
06-19-2012, 05:03 PM
Here is a case that I don't see talked about much. She is known as the "black widow of Guadalajara" because people say death seems to follow in her wake, especially if the extent of the relationships she's in are romantic.
It all started when her first husband, Douglas LaPine, died in a mysterious "fall" in their house. Her second husband, Thomas Brickson, died after an apparent stroke a year into their marriage and just 6 months after he was allegedly attacked by intruders.
Her third husband, James Piper, died in a restaurant bathroom after suffering a heart attack in September of 1989. She invited James' children to Guadalajara for the memorial service and tried to turn them against each other in order to snag James' money and possessions, including two cars worth $2 million each that have since vanished.
Maria assumed a low profile after James' death and later reported that in August of 1993, her half-sister died and Maria collected a $100,000 life insurance policy. Around this time, she began dating a man named Victor LaPine (no relation to her first husband). In June of 1994, Maria called Victor's sister to say that he had died hours after falling ill in a restaurant. Maria later got an IOU for $100,000 and Victor's family hired investigators to look into it. Maria herself later reportedly died and her mom and 3 children from her first marriage collected a $500,000 life insurance policy.
Investigators felt suspicious about her supposed death and later found out by digging up her grave that she was not in the casket, only flowers, pieces of wood and tattered clothing were found inside. They also dug up her half-sister's grave and found her casket empty. They later determined that Maria didn't even have a half-sister. Authorities wanted to question the funeral director who arranged both burials, but before they could, the funeral director was found strangled to death in his apartment.
Maria Socorro LaPine is wanted for fraud stemming from the $100,000 she collected after fabricating the death of a non-existent half-sister. Authorities cannot prove she was responsible for the deaths of her 3 husbands, Victor LaPine and the funeral director. It was also stated that another lover, 2 friends and a business associate were among those who died in Maria's presence.
Maria is said to be in hiding with her elderly mother and her 3 children from her first marriage: Lena May, David and Douglas Lapine Jr. They have also been charged with fraud. They were thought to be in the San Antonio, Texas area. Maria Socorro LaPine is 5'2, 120 lbs. and has black hair and brown eyes. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French. She would be 72 years old today.
It all started when her first husband, Douglas LaPine, died in a mysterious "fall" in their house. Her second husband, Thomas Brickson, died after an apparent stroke a year into their marriage and just 6 months after he was allegedly attacked by intruders.
Her third husband, James Piper, died in a restaurant bathroom after suffering a heart attack in September of 1989. She invited James' children to Guadalajara for the memorial service and tried to turn them against each other in order to snag James' money and possessions, including two cars worth $2 million each that have since vanished.
Maria assumed a low profile after James' death and later reported that in August of 1993, her half-sister died and Maria collected a $100,000 life insurance policy. Around this time, she began dating a man named Victor LaPine (no relation to her first husband). In June of 1994, Maria called Victor's sister to say that he had died hours after falling ill in a restaurant. Maria later got an IOU for $100,000 and Victor's family hired investigators to look into it. Maria herself later reportedly died and her mom and 3 children from her first marriage collected a $500,000 life insurance policy.
Investigators felt suspicious about her supposed death and later found out by digging up her grave that she was not in the casket, only flowers, pieces of wood and tattered clothing were found inside. They also dug up her half-sister's grave and found her casket empty. They later determined that Maria didn't even have a half-sister. Authorities wanted to question the funeral director who arranged both burials, but before they could, the funeral director was found strangled to death in his apartment.
Maria Socorro LaPine is wanted for fraud stemming from the $100,000 she collected after fabricating the death of a non-existent half-sister. Authorities cannot prove she was responsible for the deaths of her 3 husbands, Victor LaPine and the funeral director. It was also stated that another lover, 2 friends and a business associate were among those who died in Maria's presence.
Maria is said to be in hiding with her elderly mother and her 3 children from her first marriage: Lena May, David and Douglas Lapine Jr. They have also been charged with fraud. They were thought to be in the San Antonio, Texas area. Maria Socorro LaPine is 5'2, 120 lbs. and has black hair and brown eyes. She is fluent in English, Spanish and French. She would be 72 years old today.