How Life Insurance Payout Led To A Murder in Montebello, California: The Chilling Story of Angelina Rodriguez


Life insurance payouts often provide families with financial support after losing a loved one.

But in the case of Angelina Rodriguez, the promise of a $250,000 life insurance payout led to a dark tale of greed, deception, and murder.

This true crime story from Montebello, California, delves into the unsettling details of how Rodriguez was accused of poisoning her husband, Frank Rodriguez 


Who Was Angelina Rodriguez and What Was She Accused Of?

Born on May 31, 1968, Angelina Rodriguez seemed like an ordinary woman from Montebello, California.

 At 32, Angelina met Frank Rodriguez, a special education teacher with a compassionate heart. 

The couple tied the knot in April 2000 making this Angelina’s fourth marriage.

However, just five months later, tragedy struck—Frank was found dead under mysterious circumstances.

Prosecutors in California accused Rodriguez of murdering her fourth husband, Frank Rodriguez, in September 2000. 

Authorities also discovered allegations linking her to the suspicious death of her 13-month-old daughter in 1993.

She reported that the child choked on a pacifier but authorities believe she was suffocated with a pacifier. 

Her motivation was reportedly financial gain from life insurance policies.

Rodriguez had taken out a $250,000 life insurance policy on Frank just months before his death.

Also, her child's death in 1993 was ruled accidental and Angelina sued the manufacturer, leading to a $700,000 settlement. 

These connections painted a grim picture of someone potentially killing for financial gain.


How Did Angelina Rodriguez Attempt to Cover Up Her Husband’s Murder?

Angelina's efforts to cover her tracks were as calculated as her crimes.

After Frank’s sudden death in September 2000, she told authorities that he had suffered from food poisoning. 

Investigators initially found no evidence of foul play. 

However, Angelina’s unusual behavior drew suspicion, particularly her immediate inquiries about Frank's life insurance payout.

Additionally, during Frank's funeral, she casually mentioned oleander poisoning, prompting law enforcement to reopen the case.


Criminal Investigation into Angelina Rodriguez: How Officers Peiced Together The Puzzle

Detectives with Montebello California law enforcement dug deeper into Angelina’s life.

They discovered she had expressed dissatisfaction with her marriage just months after the wedding and had joked with friends about methods to kill her husband.

Autopsy results revealed traces of oleander in Frank's system, but the quantity wasn’t lethal. 

The breakthrough came in January 2001 when tests confirmed that Frank had died from antifreeze poisoning.

Criminal investigators believe she first poisoned Frank's tea with oleander leaves. 

When that failed, she loosened the gas cap on their dryer, creating a hazardous situation in their home. 

Ultimately, she laced his Gatorade with antifreeze, which proved fatal.

When confronted, Angelina denied any involvement.

She tried to shift suspicion onto Chad Holloway, one of Frank’s coworkers, claiming he held a vendetta against her husband.

Angelina's erratic behavior during the criminal investigations and her attempts to frame Holloway ultimately contributed to her downfall.

She was arrested in February 2001. 

During her time at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Angelina made another fatal mistake. 

She plotted to kill her friend, Palmira Gorham, to prevent her from testifying as a key witness. 

The elaborate scheme was exposed through an undercover officer who posed as a hitman.

This final error sealed her fate.



Angelina Rodriguez's Trail and Sentencing

During her 2003 trial, prosecutors painted a damning picture of Angelina Rodriguez. 

They argued that her motive was purely financial, tied a hefty life insurance claim.

Key evidence included:

1) Her purchase of antifreeze and discussions about its use.

2)Autopsy findings confirming the presence of antifreeze in Frank’s body.

3)Testimonies about her behavior and comments about oleander poisoning.

4) Her fixation on obtaining the average life insurance payout immediately after Frank’s death.

After Frank’s death was initially ruled undetermined, this delayed the issuance of the death certificate.

As a result, there was no insurance payout for Angelina. 

The delay prompted Angelina to push authorities for further tests, ultimately contributing to her downfall.

Adding to the weight of evidence, prosecutors introduced details about the 1993 death of Angelina’s infant daughter, Alicia. 

Though ruled accidental at the time, investigators believed Angelina had deliberately suffocated Alicia to collect life insurance payouts while alive. 

This pattern of exploiting tragedy for monetary gain reinforced the case against her.

In October 2003, Angelina Rodriguez was convicted of first-degree murder with special circumstances, including murder for financial gain. 

The jury sentenced her to death.

Despite her conviction, Angelina continued to proclaim her innocence, claiming Frank’s death was a suicide. 

In 2024, her death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment due to ineffective legal representation during her initial trial.

While she was later resentenced to life, her crimes continue to fascinate and horrify.

Got a tip about a crime? Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS immediately. 

You can also see how to report a crime anonymously online if you wish to remain anonymous. 

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