Mother Poisons Husband—Then TARGETS Her Own Daughter

Green poison bottle with cork on wooden surface.

A New York mother poisoned two husbands with antifreeze, then attempted to murder her own daughter and frame her for both killings in one of the most chilling betrayals of family trust ever prosecuted in American courts.

Story Snapshot

Stacey Castor murdered second husband David Castor in 2005 using antifreeze and is suspected of killing first husband Michael Wallace in 2000 by the same method
After David’s death, Castor attempted to poison daughter Ashley Wallace and staged a fake suicide note confessing to both murders to frame her
Forensic evidence including fingerprints, DNA on a turkey baster, and computer drafts of the forged suicide note led to Castor’s conviction in February 2009
Judge sentenced Castor to 51 years to life, declaring he had never seen a parent attempt to murder their child to cover up their own crimes

Financial Greed Drove Double Murder Scheme

Stacey Castor’s first husband Michael Wallace died in January 2000 under circumstances initially deemed natural, but later investigations revealed antifreeze poisoning as the cause. After remarrying David Castor, she murdered him in August 2005 using the same lethal method. David’s $300,000 estate was left entirely to Stacey and her two daughters from her first marriage, completely excluding his own son David Castor Jr. This glaring exclusion, combined with the suspicious death, prompted investigators to dig deeper into what appeared to be a suicide by antifreeze consumption.

Mother’s Calculated Plot to Frame Innocent Daughter

When investigators closed in on Stacey Castor, she invited daughter Ashley Wallace over for drinks in late 2007. Ashley consumed beverages her mother prepared and fell unconscious. The following day, Ashley’s sister Bree discovered her unresponsive and called 911. At the hospital, authorities found a 750-word typed suicide note in Ashley’s room confessing to both murders. The note contained a critical spelling error—”antifree” instead of “antifreeze”—which exactly matched how Stacey pronounced the word during police interrogation. Investigators later discovered drafts of the suicide note on Stacey Castor’s home computer, proving she authored the fabricated confession.

Forensic Evidence Exposed Elaborate Cover-Up

The prosecution presented overwhelming physical evidence at trial. Stacey Castor’s fingerprints were found on the bottom of the glass containing antifreeze near David’s body, positioned as if she had held it up to someone’s mouth. Investigators discovered a turkey baster in the trash with traces of antifreeze and David Castor’s DNA, suggesting it was the instrument used to administer the poison. Detective Dominick Spinelli employed clever interrogation tactics, asking seemingly innocuous questions about which glass contained cranberry juice. Castor’s responses revealed knowledge of crime scene details she couldn’t have known if David’s death were truly a suicide, further cementing her guilt.

Maximum Sentence for Unprecedented Family Betrayal

In February 2009, a jury convicted Stacey Castor of second-degree murder of David Castor, attempted murder of Ashley Wallace, and forging David Castor’s will. Judge Fahey sentenced her to 25 years to life for murder, an additional 25 years for attempted murder, and up to 4 years for forgery. During sentencing, the judge made a stunning declaration: “I have never seen a parent attempt to murder their child in order to set that child up for a crime they themselves committed.” He stated Castor was “in a class all by herself” for the depravity of her actions. This case serves as a stark reminder that evil can lurk within the family unit itself, exploiting the trust and vulnerability of loved ones for financial gain. Ashley Wallace survived her mother’s betrayal and publicly defended herself, demonstrating remarkable courage in facing down false accusations while recovering from attempted murder.