5 key details about Lanny Horwitz's murder

On September 30, 2011, Lanny Horwitz, a highly successful businessman and real estate mogul, was murdered in his home in Jupiter, Florida. The crime scene was graphic, with nine gunshots fired into his body, including a fatal shot to his mouth.

Aside from Lanny, only his ex-wife, Donna Horwitz, and their grown son, Radley, were present in the house. Initially, law enforcement assumed that Lanny had committed suicide. However, the evidence quickly proved otherwise. Donna was arrested a week after Lanny's death due to her jealousy over Lanny's relationship with a business associate.

The case went through several dramatic twists, including charges against Radley and multiple trials against Donna. It will be featured on Snapped season 35 episode 4 titled Donna Horwitz, which airs on January 26, 2025, on Oxygen.

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Five facts about the murder of Lanny Horwitz.

1) The crime scene

According to Oxygen, when police arrived at the Horwitz residence, they found Lanny's lifeless body slumped in the bathroom. The circumstances surrounding Lanny's death led some officers to initially assume it was suicide.

However, upon observing the extent of the gunshots and bullet holes, Detective Eric Frank quickly dismissed that theory, noting that nine bullets had struck Lanny's body. Additionally, an unloaded five-shot revolver lay next to him, further complicating the suicide narrative.

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2) Lanny Horwitz's background

According to CBS News, Lanny Horwitz was a prominent figure in real estate and had a tumultuous relationship history with his ex-wife, Donna. He had married and divorced her twice before reconciling with her before his death.

Their son Radley was present when Lanny was found murdered. Given these circumstances, Lanny had proved to be a successful businessman who had built a substantial life for himself.

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3) Motive for murder

According to Oxygen, jealousy soon emerged as a possible motive for the murder of Lanny Horwitz. Donna had made several journal entries expressing her concerns regarding Lanny's close relationship with his business partner, Francine Tice.

These writings revealed feelings of betrayal and suspicion that their relationship extended beyond business. Emotional turmoil likely contributed to her alleged motive for such a violent act.

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4) The arrest of Donna Horwitz

According to CBS News, Donna was arrested just days after Lanny Horwitz's murder. Her behavior at the crime scene raised suspicions among investigators. She reportedly shut down emotionally and refused to answer police questions. Furthermore, her claims of not hearing gunfire were contradicted by Radley's account of waking up to multiple shots being fired.

During her trial, the defense tried to shift the blame to Radley, suggesting he could have been responsible for his father's death in order to gain financially through life insurance policies. Nevertheless, evidence continued to point heavily toward Donna as the perpetrator.

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5) Legal proceedings and convictions

According to CBS News, Lanny Horwitz's murder trial was a lengthy and complex legal case. It started in 2013 when Donna was convicted of first-degree murder. However, the judgment was appealed based on procedural irregularities during the trial and ultimately overturned.

She was retried and again convicted, but on a lesser charge. Throughout all the trials, Radley remained present as a witness and as a potential accomplice in various defense strategies advanced by Donna's lawyers.

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For more details on the case, watch Snapped on January 26, 2025, on Oxygen.