'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAyScR/8QAIBAAAQMEAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgEDBAUREhQABjNh0v/aAAgBAQABPwCjzurPb0dDrUmbMxDffAUdZFbqWNnLLf3w3KCBqG/XFxW3hZ+uf//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQIBAT8Af//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQMBAT8Af//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Dateline on Oxygen investigated the murder of Bianca Rudolph in season 8, episode 42 of the true crime show. What started as an apparent tragic accident during a safari in Zambia became a suspicion of murder. Larry Rudolph, Bianca's husband and successful dentist, testified that Bianca had accidentally shot herself while loading a rifle.
However, with some details of Larry's affair outside his marriage and some suspicious acts coming to light, the investigators developed a belief that Bianca's death was no accident. After an in-depth investigation, a Denver jury convicted Larry of murdering his wife for life insurance money.
This article looks at the story in detail and digs into the investigation that brought the truth behind Bianca's death, as the story will be explored on Dateline.
Trending
About the crime explored on Dateline
Bianca Rudolph died from a gunshot while she was on a hunting trip in Zambia with her husband, Larry, in October 2016. Larry claimed she accidentally shot herself while loading the rifle and local authorities declared the death accidental.
However, the abrupt and sudden death of Bianca, as well as her cremation, left many questions, especially for her close friend, as she thought Bianca, being a devout Catholic, would never have wanted to be cremated. Within a month, Larry started making insurance claims for Bianca's policies amounting to almost $5 million.
As the investigators dug deeper, suspicion emerged about Larry's alleged extra-marital affair and motives for pecuniary gain which led to a highly detailed investigation.
Investigation of Bianca Rudolph's murder
The investigation revealed inconsistencies in Larry's testimony. At first, he testified that Bianca had died by suicide but later claimed that it was an accident. However, a U.S. Embassy official who examined the body of Bianca found that the shotgun wound did not agree with Larry's testimony.
Further investigation revealed that Larry was involved in an affair with his office manager, Lori Milliron and that he acted promptly in trying to claim the life insurance funds.
These factors were enough to drive the FBI to charges against Larry Rudolph for murdering his wife and mail fraud because he collected his insured premium. Larry Rudolph and Lori Milliron were then being investigated for the murder of Larry Rudolph's wife, Bianca, as studied in this Dateline episode.
Resolution
In August 2022, a jury gave a verdict after eight years of investigation and a complex trial. Larry Rudolph was found guilty of his wife Bianca's murder. Lori Milliron was also found guilty on charges of accessory after the fact, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Milliron was sentenced to 17 years in prison, while Rudolph is serving life behind bars.
Aftermath
This case left people aghast, considering Larry was an exemplary figure in his profession. Friends of Bianca were key in helping increase the debate regarding her death which eventually led the killer to get convicted. In this case, it all goes down to remembering how far investigators would go to unravel the truth when it is hidden for some years behind lies, as explored in the upcoming Dateline episode.
Dateline season 8 episode 42 airs on October 2, 2024, on Oxygen.
