Black Widow's Web of Deceit: A Tale of Love, Lies, and Murder

In 1998, Richard Thompson placed a lonely hearts advertisement, hoping to find companionship after a failed marriage. Little did he know that his quest for love would lead him into the clutches of a dangerous deceiver.

Richard met Dena, a woman he described as "bubbly, extroverted, and confident." Their relationship progressed quickly, but two years later, it ended in violence. Richard alleges that Dena attacked him with a baseball bat and a carving knife during what she had suggested would be a romantic encounter.

This incident sparked a police investigation that would uncover a web of fraud, bigamy, and murder spanning over a decade. Detective Constable Sean McDonald of Sussex Police recognized Dena's name immediately, as her suspicious activities had been on their radar for years.

The investigation revealed a pattern of manipulation and financial abuse targeting multiple men across West Sussex and Florida. Dena's modus operandi involved romantic entanglement followed by elaborate lies and theft.

One of Dena's earlier victims was Lee Wyatt, her first husband. She manipulated him with fantastical stories about the Irish mafia and a non-existent $50 million deal with Disney. Lee recalls:

"She kept on saying, don't give up on us now, you've got to keep this whole thing going for the lives of Darren and ourselves, so we can be together. She said that more than a dozen times, all the time."

Perhaps the most tragic victim was Julian Webb, Dena's second husband. On his 31st birthday in 1994, Dena allegedly laced his curry with a lethal combination of aspirin and antidepressants. Julian's mother, Rosemary Webb, had long suspected foul play.

The investigation led to the exhumation of Julian's body in 2001, and Dena was subsequently tried for murder. In 2003, she was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

However, the story doesn't end there. In 2022, after serving 16 years, Dena was released on parole. This decision has left her victims and law enforcement concerned about potential reoffending.

Richard Thompson, now partnered and employed, still seeks closure. He states, "I want justice. I want people to know what really happened." His story, along with those of other victims, is featured in a new Sky documentary titled "Black Widow."

As of August 2024, it has been 26 years since Richard's ordeal began. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking behind seemingly innocent personal advertisements and the importance of vigilance in matters of the heart.