Widow on the Hill: What happened to Donna Somerville in real life?

The 2005 Lifetime movie Widow on the Hill is based on true events surrounding Hamilton Somervile's death. In real life, Hamilton, a farmer and owner of the 345-acre Mt. Athos estate in Virginia, died under suspicious circumstances on November 13, 2001.

His second wife, Donna Somerville, who had been a hospice nurse for his first wife, was found guilty of causing his death by drug overdose by a civil court. Her request for immediate cremation raised suspicion. An autopsy, insisted upon by Hamilton’s daughters, revealed high levels of morphine and codeine in his system.

The plot moved further with Donna Somerville's controversial relationship with Hamilton, while his first wife was alive. After his sudden death, investigations and legal battles revealed many accusations. The film depicted Donna's life before and after Hamilton's death, along with the civil suit filed by Hamilton’s daughters.

In the movie, Donna Scott Somerville was the inspiration for Linda Dupree Cavanaugh, played by Natasha Henstridge. Hamilton Somerville was the inspiration for Hank Cavanaugh, played by James Brolin, and Sidney Somerville was the inspiration for the character of Felicia Cavanaugh, played by Michelle Duquet.

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The real-life incident of Donna Somerville that inspired Widow on the Hill's plot

Widow on the Hill recounts the real-life incident from the night Hamilton Somerville Jr. died. The unusually bright lights at his Mt. Athos estate in Orange County, Virginia, drew neighbors' attention. Despite being only 75 miles from Washington, D.C., the area felt remote, with its rolling hills and large farms.

Nearly 18 months after Hamilton's death at 57, the mystery of what happened at his 345-acre estate in Somerset persisted. Tony Garnett, a close friend, discovered Hamilton's body.

Donna Somerville, his second wife, immediately requested cremation, raising suspicions. An autopsy revealed an overdose of drugs not prescribed by Hamilton's doctor, prompting a deeper investigation into Donna's actions and motives.

Donna used to be a nurse caring for Hamilton's first wife, Sidney, who was dying of cancer. In less than a year after Sidney’s death, Hamilton married Donna.

What happened to Donna Somerville in Widow on the Hill? (Image via Lionsgate Television)

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The Aftermath of Hamilton's death

As the investigation unfolded, Donna’s alleged extramarital affair and access to powerful drugs through her nursing background added to the intrigue.

As per lawyer Randy Singer, Donna called rescue workers to Mt. Athos but halted their resuscitation efforts and requested her husband’s immediate cremation. An autopsy, urged by the daughters, found high levels of morphine, codeine, oxycodone, and promethazine in Hamilton Somerville’s body.

During the criminal trial, the defense claimed he died from an accidental overdose because of painkiller abuse. The judge ruled in 2004 that circumstantial evidence was insufficient for conviction, citing hair tests showing prolonged drug exposure.

However, in the wrongful death lawsuit, new data suggested hair contamination from vomit, potentially leading to incorrect drug exposure results. Despite the evidence, the criminal trial did not convict Donna, but the civil suit held her accountable.

A clip from Widow on the Hill? (Image via YouTube)

The civil case, mediated by Judge Robert L. Harris Sr., resulted in a ruling against Donna Somerville.

Hamilton’s daughters, who had grown up on the Mt. Athos farm, had not been there for nine years. The settlement allowed them to return to their ancestral home.

The Mt. Athos estate was once part of President James Madison’s Montpelier estate. The daughters’ victory was not just about reclaiming property, but also about restoring their father's reputation.

The settlement ensured that Mt. Athos would become a retirement home for unwanted show horses.