Maria Socorro LaPine - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

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.

1990 UM fan · 09-26-2012, 07:22 AM

I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet. There was no other pre-existing thread about her, so I thought I would make one.

MegtheEgg86 · 09-27-2012, 04:20 PM

I tend to think she's probably dead, of natural causes or disease. I also think there is a slight possibility she might have been murdered by someone she crossed in the execution of her criminal activities. Those who live by the sword and all that.

I suppose I feel that's what's happened to the majority of those uncaptured fraudsters, really. Many of them would be at or approaching advanced age. Avoiding apprehension is stressful. Persistent stress decreases quality of life. I think many of them are deceased under relatively mundane circumstances.

If she went back to Mexico, it's possible she was arrested and detained for another crime and we simply never got an update.

1990 UM fan · 09-28-2012, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MegtheEgg86

I tend to think she's probably dead, of natural causes or disease. I also think there is a slight possibility she might have been murdered by someone she crossed in the execution of her criminal activities. Those who live by the sword and all that.

I suppose I feel that's what's happened to the majority of those uncaptured fraudsters, really. Many of them would be at or approaching advanced age. Avoiding apprehension is stressful. Persistent stress decreases quality of life. I think many of them are deceased under relatively mundane circumstances.

If she went back to Mexico, it's possible she was arrested and detained for another crime and we simply never got an update.

You make alot of great points. I wonder if the statute of limitations are up on her fraud charges? Her 3 kids from her first marriage also were charged and they could still be alive.

MegtheEgg86 · 09-28-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990 UM fan

I wonder if the statute of limitations are up on her fraud charges? Her 3 kids from her first marriage also were charged and they could still be alive.

I would say it's likely the statute of limitations on most, if not all of those fraud charges are up by now. It can be surprising sometimes to find out just how little time there is, relatively, to bring someone up on a plethora of criminal charges.

KonaPete · 05-11-2016, 12:12 AM

1990 UM fan,

I see it's been several years since you posted your comments, but you seem to know a lot about this case. My name is Pete and I am the son of one of the victims, James R. Piper. Did you possibly work with the UM production team in the early 90s?

DALLASTEXAN!! · 05-12-2016, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaPete

1990 UM fan,

I see it's been several years since you posted your comments, but you seem to know a lot about this case. My name is Pete and I am the son of one of the victims, James R. Piper. Did you possibly work with the UM production team in the early 90s?

Wow welcome to the boards! My condolences.

This was a case that always bothered me and as pointed out I don't think it was discussed a lot here. I have brought it up in other threads. Such a terrible person she is/was. Always angered me that she was never found.

1990 UM fan · 05-12-2016, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaPete

1990 UM fan,

I see it's been several years since you posted your comments, but you seem to know a lot about this case. My name is Pete and I am the son of one of the victims, James R. Piper. Did you possibly work with the UM production team in the early 90s?

I still actively use this forum and I know this case by memory. I am not affiliated with the producers of Unsolved Mysteries, just an avid fan of it. I was only a little kid when Unsolved Mysteries started taking off. Nice to meet you though, Pete. Has your family received any news about Maria since the 1997 broadcast of her case?

WishfulDreamer · 04-10-2021, 11:54 PM

Sorry for the bump, but does anyone know if this one made it to Prime? Didn't see it on the missing list or the guide.

drew790 · 04-11-2021, 05:53 PM

I love this segment but it feels like I'm one of the few. It hardly ever gets talked about and was forgotten about in the deleted segments list

Such a fascinating case.

1990 UM fan · 04-11-2021, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WishfulDreamer

Sorry for the bump, but does anyone know if this one made it to Prime? Didn't see it on the missing list or the guide.

It was from the 1997 season but was left off FilmRise and other streaming services, likely due to statute of limitations on the fraud charges.

WishfulDreamer · 04-11-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew790

I love this segment but it feels like I'm one of the few. It hardly ever gets talked about and was forgotten about in the deleted segments list

Such a fascinating case.

Same! The actress in this one is so perfect for the role, and I realized I hadn't seen it on the filmrise run through or missing list. I always found this one extra creepy, especially the funeral director getting strangled in his office!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990 UM fan

It was from the 1997 season but was left off FilmRise and other streaming services, likely due to statute of limitations on the fraud charges.

Thank you! I guess we better add it on the missing list.

06-19-2012, 05:03 PM	#1
1990 UM fan Unsolved Mysteries fanatic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 2,510	Maria Socorro LaPine 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.
	__________________ Join my Unsolved Mysteries page (Facebook): http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unsolv...899616?sk=wall

09-27-2012, 04:20 PM	#3
MegtheEgg86 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jun 19, 2008 Location: The Volunteer State Posts: 5,156	I tend to think she's probably dead, of natural causes or disease. I also think there is a slight possibility she might have been murdered by someone she crossed in the execution of her criminal activities. Those who live by the sword and all that. I suppose I feel that's what's happened to the majority of those uncaptured fraudsters, really. Many of them would be at or approaching advanced age. Avoiding apprehension is stressful. Persistent stress decreases quality of life. I think many of them are deceased under relatively mundane circumstances. If she went back to Mexico, it's possible she was arrested and detained for another crime and we simply never got an update.
	__________________ "Why is she lying?, it makes me wonder. What is she hiding?, it makes me wonder." Go Vols!

09-26-2012, 07:22 AM	#2
1990 UM fan Unsolved Mysteries fanatic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 2,510	I'm surprised no one has commented on this yet. There was no other pre-existing thread about her, so I thought I would make one.

05-11-2016, 12:12 AM	#6
KonaPete Member First Time Poster Join Date: May 10, 2016 Location: Kona Posts: 1	1990 UM fan, I see it's been several years since you posted your comments, but you seem to know a lot about this case. My name is Pete and I am the son of one of the victims, James R. Piper. Did you possibly work with the UM production team in the early 90s?

04-10-2021, 11:54 PM	#9
WishfulDreamer Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 01, 2009 Location: L.A. Posts: 3,868	Sorry for the bump, but does anyone know if this one made it to Prime? Didn't see it on the missing list or the guide.

04-11-2021, 05:53 PM	#10
drew790 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 17, 2017 Posts: 847	I love this segment but it feels like I'm one of the few. It hardly ever gets talked about and was forgotten about in the deleted segments list Such a fascinating case.