The Gruesome Tale of Omaima Nelson: She Killed Her Abusive Husband, Dismembered Him and Cooked His Body

On Thanksgiving weekend in 1991, a horrifying crime happened in Costa Mesa, California, that shocked everyone. 

Omaima Nelson, who originally came from Egypt and used to be a model, killed her husband, Bill Nelson, in a very violent way. 

There were also claims that she dismembered and ate parts of his body.

Omaima Nelson was born in 1968 in Egypt and spent her childhood in Cairo. 

In her early years, Omaima faced tough challenges like abuse and the traumatic experience of female circumcision. 

When she turned 18, she moved to the United States for a fresh beginning.

She stayed in California, where she was employed as a nanny and pursued a modeling career.

The Tragic Thanksgiving Weekend

In 1991, Omaima met Bill Nelson at a pool hall in California. 

Bill, who used to be a pilot and had a history of smuggling drugs, was much older than Omaima.

He was 33 years older than her.

Even though they had just met, and had a big age gap, they got married only a few days after meeting each other.

Their fast-moving romance soon turned into a chaotic and violent relationship.

Omaima and Bill Nelson's marriage was filled with accusations of abuse.

Omaima claimed that Bill physically and sexually assaulted her. 

Bill Nelson

During the Thanksgiving weekend in 1991, the tension between them exploded into a deadly situation.

Omaima said that Bill tried to r@pe and strangle her so she killed him that day.

She said she acted in self-defense because she was scared.

She hit him with a lamp and stabbed him multiple times with scissors until he died.

However, the violence did not end with Bill’s death. 

Omaima dismembered his body and engaged in the act of cannibaliism 

Reports also suggest that she cut his penis and mixed his remains with leftover Thanksgiving turkey. 

Investigation and Arrest

Following the murder, Omaima tried to dispose of Bill’s remains. 

She packed parts of his body in trash bags and suitcases and offered a friend $75,000 to help her get rid of the body.

The friend agreed but contacted the police. 

Authorities found the dismembered remains in the couple’s apartment and Bill’s car, leading to Omaima’s arrest.

The Trial of Omaima Nelson

Omaima Nelson’s trial began in December 1992. 

Her defense argued that she acted in self-defense, citing a history of abuse. 

They pointed to her psychological state, including post-traumatic stress disorder and battered woman syndrome, to support their case.

However, according to the prosecution, Omaima planned to kill her husband to steal from him, citing her past of taking advantage of older men.

In January 1993, Omaima was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 28 years to life in prison. 

Omaima Nelson's first chance for parole in 2006 was turned down because the board thought she could still be dangerous to the public.

While in prison, she got married again, but her new husband died before her next chance for parole in 2011. 

During this hearing, she denied any acts of cannibalism and portrayed herself as a reformed individual looking to help others. 

Despite her pleas, she was denied parole again and is not eligible for another hearing until 2026.

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