After losing his partner of 33 years in 2011, David Lawrence, a prominent figure in Morphett Vale near Adelaide, South Australia, found himself adrift. With a background in the automotive industry and a comfortable lifestyle, David was looking to fill the void left by his partner’s passing. Despite initial disapproval from his family, who suspected Wendie-Sue Dent of taking advantage of him during a vulnerable time, David was deeply in love with her, and their relationship progressed rapidly. By the end of 2015, they had been living together in David’s residence for a year and a half.
While David was financially secure, Dent had led a more tumultuous life, working various jobs and struggling with addiction issues. Their stark differences did not deter their bond, and Dent even spoke of their plans to marry. However, as David’s 62nd birthday approached, he began feeling unwell, prompting concerns among his loved ones when he became increasingly isolated.
Tragically, on December 3, Dent reported finding David deceased in bed. Initially deemed a natural death, a post-mortem examination revealed that David had succumbed to a lethal combination of prescription drugs, including morphine, Valium, and tramadol. Investigations suggested foul play, hinting that someone close to David might have orchestrated his demise.
Authorities scrutinized individuals in David’s inner circle, eventually focusing on Dent, who had inherited his estate and assets valued at over £250,000. Changes in David’s will just before his passing raised suspicions, with Dent emerging as the primary beneficiary. Although circumstantial evidence pointed towards Dent’s involvement, it took authorities over a year to gather substantial proof.
In July 2017, Dent was apprehended at Adelaide airport, earning the moniker “Black Widow” for allegedly poisoning her partner for financial gain. At her 2020 trial, Dent maintained her innocence, claiming she and David had planned to marry, dismissing accusations of foul play. However, the prosecution argued that Dent exploited David’s affection and altered his will to suit her interests, leading to her eventual conviction for murder in April 2020.
Despite Dent’s subsequent appeals and overturned conviction in 2021, a retrial in 2021 resulted in another guilty verdict. The judge concluded that Dent deliberately administered the lethal drugs to David, motivated by greed. Sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years, Dent’s repeated attempts to challenge the ruling have been unsuccessful, solidifying her fate in the eyes of the law.