Toxic Death | FULL EPISODE | The New Detectives

The New Detectives・2 minutes read

A couple's weekend getaway ends in tragedy as one husband is killed in a fire, leading to suspicions of his wife's involvement; another case in Florida involves a physician murdering his wife with an untraceable drug, showcasing the evolving role of forensic science in solving toxic death cases.

Insights

  • Autopsy results showed no soot or carbon monoxide in Stephen Rico's lungs, indicating a deliberate fire set by his wife, Kim Rico, who was later convicted of first-degree murder and arson based on the presence of an untraceable drug, succinylcholine, in her husband's system.
  • Dr. William Cybers, a physician convicted of murdering his wife in Florida, attempted to cover up the crime using his medical knowledge but was ultimately apprehended due to forensic advancements that detected lethal amounts of succinylcholine in his wife's tissues, showcasing the evolving role of forensic science in solving complex murder cases involving untraceable drugs.

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Recent questions

  • How did forensic toxicologists assist in a murder case?

    By analyzing untraceable poison to solve the crime.

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Summary

00:00

Deadly Weekend Getaway: Murder on Maryland's Shore

  • A couple's romantic weekend getaway on Maryland's eastern shore turns lethal when a man dies in a deadly blaze.
  • In Florida, an apparently healthy woman dies in her home under mysterious circumstances.
  • Forensic toxicologists are called in to help solve a murder case involving an untraceable poison.
  • The man who died in the fire was identified as 35-year-old Stephen Rico.
  • Investigators found a partially melted soft drink bottle near the fire's origin, suggesting careless smoking as a possible cause.
  • Autopsy results showed severe burns on Stephen Rico's body but no traces of soot or carbon monoxide in his lungs.
  • Suspicions arose when inconsistencies in the wife's statements and autopsy findings emerged.
  • Arson investigators determined that the fire was intentionally set, leading to the case being classified as a homicide.
  • Evidence of an untraceable drug, succinylcholine, was found, pointing to the wife's involvement in her husband's death.
  • Kim Rico was charged with first-degree murder and arson, driven by greed and a desire to further her affair.

23:32

"Doctor convicted of wife's murder in Florida"

  • Kim Rico was sentenced to life in prison in Maryland based on circumstantial evidence of killing her husband.
  • In Florida, investigators needed scientific proof to convict someone of murder.
  • In Panama Beach, Florida, Kaye Cybers was found dead in her home, initially believed to be from a heart attack.
  • Dr. William Cybers, a medical examiner, did not follow protocol after his wife's death, raising suspicions.
  • An autopsy was eventually conducted on Kaye Cybers, revealing puncture marks on her arm and no signs of natural disease.
  • Dr. Cybers claimed he tried to draw blood from his wife before her death, but investigators suspected foul play.
  • Dr. Cybers was found to have made numerous calls to a former lab technician, with whom he was romantically involved.
  • Toxicology tests revealed elevated potassium levels in Kaye Cybers' body, indicating potential foul play.
  • Despite challenges in court due to natural potassium levels, authorities believed Dr. Cybers had murdered his wife.
  • New forensic tests later detected lethal amounts of the drug succinylcholine in Kaye Cybers' tissue samples, leading to Dr. Cybers' arrest and trial.

46:47

Diaphragm muscle key in solving murder case

  • The diaphragm, a specialized skeletal muscle crucial for breathing, was identified as the primary muscle involved in respiration. In a murder case, evidence pointed to Dr. William Sybers, a physician with access to a paralyzing drug, as the culprit behind his wife's death in 1991. Despite his attempts to cover up the crime using his medical expertise, he was convicted in January 2000 and sentenced to life in prison. The case highlighted the diminishing chances for killers using untraceable drugs due to advancements in forensic science, aiding investigators in solving toxic death cases.
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