When the police asked her about the letter, Ashley was shocked. [3][16][20], I never knew what hate was until now. Hey there, welcome to my channel. Update 2:50 p.m.: For . Stacey Castor claimed it was a suicide, but detectives soon suspected murder -- and she then tried to poison her own daughter, Ashley, with antifreeze and frame her with a suicide note confessing . On April 24, 2009, ABC aired a two-hour 20/20 special about Castor and the trial, which included interviews. Stacey relayed to the 911 dispatcher that Ashley had consumed alcohol and quite a few doses of medications, Spinelli said. They also had opposite shifts since she worked during the day as an ambulance dispatcher, and he worked during the evening as a mechanic. She's focused on moving forward. Stacey, the daughter of Jerry Daniels and Judie Eaton, met Michael Wallace when she was 17, in 1985, and they bonded immediately. However, an investigation revealed how the authorities believed that Stacey was responsible for it all. She said, Im like, What are they talking about? I didnt do any of these things that youre saying that I did. Four years after David Castor's death, Stacey Castor, who'd become known as a "black widow" in the press, was arrested for murder and for attempted murder of Ashley Wallace. Among the items near his body were a container of antifreeze and a half-full glass of bright green liquid. [29], Castor was found dead in her cell on the morning of June 11, 2016. She'll never get to see her grandchildren. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Prosecution's opening statements, The Witness List: A quick guide to the testimony. "He wasn't a drinker; he didn't go out at night," she told Snapped. According to ABC News, Castor never saw her daughters again. Castor told David Muir in 2009 that, in the moment, she couldnt believe was happening. A Stressful Trial Comes to an End. [20] "Human life is sacred. And all of a sudden, he just sticks his arm up in the air and puts his arm on his side, and then his arm just fell down.. As Wallace herself said at the trial, "I just want it to go away, but I know it will never go away.". That note turned out to be a nearly 700-word suicide note which contained a confession to the 2000 murder of the Wallaces' father, Michael, and the 2005 murder of their stepfather, David Castor. Police knocked down the bedroom door to find David Castor dead of an apparent suicide. [19] Her lead defense counsel, Keller, announced that Castor would appeal the verdict, including challenging the inclusion of evidence regarding the death of her first husband, for which Castor had not been charged. Stacey and Michael married in April 1990, but over time, the relationship crumbled. They were blaming Stacey for this," she said. 90 Day Fiance's Hamza's Green Card Status 'Battle' Amid Memphis Divorce, '90 Day Fiance' Star Memphis Smith Alleges Hamza Moknii Was 'Abusive', 90 Day's Hamza Requested Paternity Test for Daughter Amid Memphis Split. She said that "Ashley brought this on" and insists that she and Ashley know what really happened. So, if youre curious to find out more, weve got you covered. [19] She indicated that her mother, stepfather and some other relatives still support her. Although his death was initially ruled a suicide, a police investigation revealed that he succumbed to antifreeze poisoning - similar to how Michael did. This is how she said goodbye. Ashley did have fond memories from her childhood. During the trial, Castor had been dubbed "The Black Widow" by media outlets,[2] a title previously given to Lynn Turner. I did not kill Michael Wallace, I did not kill David Castor, and I did not try to kill my daughter, period," Castor told 20/20's David Muir in 2009. Stacey took her daughters to Disney World after Mike Wallace died. Imagine Wallace's horror when she woke up in the hospital on September 14, 2007 and discovered that her mother and "best friend," Stacey Castor, was likely behind each of these acts. [3][9] Ashley was 12 at the time of her father Wallace's death. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Like Bree, he said Castor kept telling him when he called that Ashley was very tired and was still taking a nap. The jurors also heard Friday from Ashley Wallace's boyfriend, Matthew Gandino. They hit it off quite well, having their first child, Ashley, in 1987 and another daughter, Bree, about three years later. See the 'Counting On' Kids' Houses, Look How Much the Little Couple's Kids Will and Zoey Have Grown Up, Every Look From the Kardashian-Jenner Family at the 2021 Met Gala, Gabby Petito's Texts Show 'More and More Tension' With Brian Laundrie, 'Welcome to Plathville' Kim Plath's DUI Case Closed: Fine, More Details, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings, Jon Gosselin Is 'Open' With Kids Collin, Hannah About Their Dating Lives. Jan. 11, 2000: Castors first husband dies. The Daughter of Notorious "Black Widow" Opens Up, A Lifetime Movie Is About This Shocking Abduction, The "Friends" Women Reunite to Celebrate Courteney, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, "Even though I hate her, I love her at the same time," Wallace said in an. Page 2", "Exhumed Body Reveals Stacey Castor's First Husband 'Didn't Just Die': Exclusive Look Inside Anti-Freeze Murder Mystery; What Brought Two Men to Rest in Neighboring Graves. She looked at me really wide-eyed and flat out says, I did not try to kill myself, nor did I leave a suicide note." She also denied killing her father and stepfather. When the detective picked up on her slip of the tongue, she accused him of trying to frame her and stopped the interview. I wanted to make sure she was convicted.. Stacey Castor Accused of Poisoning Her Two Husbands, Plotting to Murder and Frame Daughter Ashley Wallace", "Stacey Castor's daughter, Ashley Wallace, testifies during antifreeze murder trial. The witness also told the jurors how she had not seen her sister during the afternoon and evening of the previous day. Ashley had harsh words for her mother after her sentencing. Stacey did this by inviting Ashley over for a drink and doping her. [3] They listened in on phone calls for any unusual conversations. But doctors told Stacey they thought it was a heart attack, Benson said. In August 2005, at 2:00one afternoon, Castor called her local sheriff's office to tell them that her husband had locked himself in their bedroom for a day following an argument and was not responding to his cell phone. I was 11! It wasnt until September 2007 that Ashley had police tell her the shocking news that her father had died of poisoning and not a heart attack. [2] A special two-hour edition of ABC's 20/20 aired on April 24, 2009, and again on February 8, 2019, to provide the full story of the Castor case. "It had DNA evidence. Those who knew him, including his ex-wife Janice Poissant Farmer, rejected the idea Castor killed himself. One time, he sat up, and he just vomited across the coffee table and laid back down went back to sleep like nothing ever happened. After Castors second husband died, however, investigators exhumed Wallaces body and discovered that he had actually died of antifreeze poisoning as well. Stacey's daughter Ashley said that one night she had a cocktail made by her mother that tasted bad - the next day she woke up in a hospital where detectives told her of a suicide note she allegedly never wrote Credit: ABC 5 Officials took Stacey to court in a historic case after Ashley told police she never attempted suicide Credit: ABC A former friend of Castors told ABC News that she was contemplating divorce when Wallace got sick in the winter of 1999. Fortunately, Stacey's daughter Ashley Wallace survived the homicide attempt and lived to testify against the mother who betrayed her. As Poisoned Love shows, Ashley and Bree Wallace were once very close to their mom. [19], ABC interviewed forensic psychiatrist Dr. James Knoll for psychological perspective on the case and he answered viewers' questions via video on April 23, 2009, and via site comments on April 27, 2009. Castor was arrested in 2007 and found guilty in February 2009 on charges of second-degree murder in Davids death and attempted second-degree murder in Ashleys overdose. Here's what you need to know. Who Is Stacey Castors Daughter, Ashley Wallace? The film starred Nia Vardalos as Castor. [3] Tests revealed that potentially fatal painkillers had been found in Ashley's system, and that she most likely would have died if taking her to the hospital had been just a few minutes later. Castors younger daughter, Bree Wallace, found her older sister unresponsive, and she and her mom called 911. Her mother was. Passing away at age 48, authorities ruled that there was no foul play involved. She testified David Castor had apparently locked himself in his bedroom at some point over the weekend, a fact corroborating Stacey Castor's story to police. They gave birth to their Ashley in 1988, and their second daughter, Bree, in 1991. [24] Knoll said that killers may have many different motivations. Stacey Castor was arrested on Sept. 14 and was charged with the murder of David Castor. The 2009 murder trial in Syracuse, New York, of Stacey Castor. How can you hate someone and love them at the same time? The Onondaga County jury found Castor guilty of murder for killing her husband, David, in 2005. Bree Wallace testifies about finding her poisoned sister, Ashley, in 2007 [2][3], Castor was employed by an ambulance dispatch company, while Wallace worked nights as a mechanic, but the family had little money. Police eventually decided to exhume Wallaces body, which is when they learned that he, too, had been killed through antifreeze poisoning. [3], Castor's defense teamattorneys Charles Keller and Todd Smith[14]was set on creating reasonable doubt in the jury's minds about Castor having committed the murders. "[20], Judge Fahey told Castor that he had never seen a parent attempt to murder their child in order to set their child up for a crime they themselves committed and declared Castor "in a class all by [her]self". Stacey's behavior was so devious that her story spawned not only the Forensic Files episode but also an episode of 20/20 and a Lifetime movie titled Poisoned Love: The Stacy Castor Story starring Nia Vardalos. Thats when Stacey called the police when the authorities showed up, there was a suicide note next Ashleys unconscious body. [2][3] Despite their closeness with their children, the couple grew apart, and it was rumored that each was having affairs. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Stacey Castor has adamantly maintained her innocence. Police found two glasses on the nightstand next to the bed, one containing what was later identified as antifreeze, and underneath the bed they found a bottle of antifreeze with its top off. She had noticed his ill appearance that day, but thought nothing of it. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. [24] He said that this theme was repeated fourteen times within the note and that he believes Castor will never admit to guilt of the murders. By then, the couple had been together for two years. [3] They argued that the "suicide attempt" had actually been a planned-out murder attempt by Castor against Ashley. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). "She's fine. But Ashley added that the support of her counselor and loved ones helped tremendously. Michael's corpse was uncovered and examined in relation to investigators considering Stacey a suspect in his homicide, as well as the homicide of her second husband David. Along with being suspected of killing her first husband, Castor was found guilty of poisoning her second husband with antifreeze and attempting to murder her daughter, Ashley Wallace. It would seem like a perfectly obvious thing to autopsy a grown man who's healthy, who lays down on his couch and dies, Michael Benson, who authored Mommy Deadliest about Castors case. Stacey Castor, 40, gave her 20-year-old daughter a tainted drink the night of Sept. 13, then typed a note to make the poisoning look like a suicide, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said. The authorities believed that Stacey tried to kill her daughter and shift the blame onto her. [17], Prosecutors brought up another piece of "damaging evidence" against Castor when they cited having heard "typing sounds" while Castor was on the phone. Stacey Castor's mother, Judie Eaton, does not believe her daughter is guilty. [3][9] The note appeared to be Ashley's "murder confession", in which she "admits" to having killed her father and stepfather. During her mother's trial, Ashley reads an emotional statement to the judge. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. That same day, Castor was arrested at the hospital and charged with the murder of David Castor and attempted murder of Ashley. Authorities determined that he committed suicide through a lethal dose of antifreeze. Ashley agreed because Castor was not only her mother but her "best friend". However, Ashley denied taking pills, insisting she only had the drink her mother gave her. Ashley Wallace, daughter of Stacey Castor and Michael Wallace, spoke with ABC News in 2009 after her mother's conviction. Well, I was scared too, when all I wanted was my mom. [3][10] An upset Ashley called Castor. In September 2007, Stacey attempted to frame her daughter Ashley for killing both of her deceased husbands. 11 True Crime Novels That Every Armchair Detective Will Love, These Women Committed Brutal Crimes and Are Now Just Walking Around Free, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Clearly, Wallace never got the apology she yearned for in her statement: "I wish that she would say sorry for everything she did.". Ashley testified against her mother Ashley Wallace Castor Age Dubbed the "Black Widow," Castor was convicted of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and forging her husband's will in 2009. [4] Castor was the owner of an air conditioning installation and repair company, and Stacey served as his office manager. "The biggest question I ask is why. [3][17] Likewise, he questioned how a woman who had lost two husbands to poisoning would not seek help for a daughter in Ashley's state. She was also convicted for the attempted murder of. Lets just get drunk I was like, Cool! You know, what kind of teenager wouldnt think that was awesome? The note also called it antifree instead of antifreeze.. The movie's speech is pulled verbatim from the statement the real Wallace read, through tears, in the courtroom in 2009. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Before dying in jail, Stacey Castor (pictured left) used antifreeze to carry out the poisoning deaths of both of her husbands, Stacey (pictured left) had two daughters with her first husband Michael. To Stacey Castor, human beings are disposable. In 2009, she was found guilty of intentionally poisoning her then-husband David Castor with antifreeze in 2005 and attempting to murder her daughter, Ashley Wallace, with crushed pills mixed in with vodka, orange juice, and Sprite in 2007. Stacey Castor's daughter Ashley Wallace takes the stand in 2009 as the prosecution's first witness to tearfully testify about the deaths of her father and stepfather. I did not kill Michael Wallace, I did not kill David Castor, and I did not try to kill my daughter, period," she told Muir in 2009. Wallace left the courtroom in 2009 knowing she would return to a family of people who adored her. [2][3] The couple married and had their first daughter, Ashley, in 1988. [3] In addition, they noted money as one of the main reasons Castor murdered her husbands. Stacey is at the center of a web of lies linked to the deaths of David and a previous husband, as well as the overdose of her daughter, Ashley Wallace, 21. It was only after leaving the room momentarily that Bree said she found a typewritten note folded in half at the top of the bed. Investigators decided to exhume the body of Michael Wallace and examine him to see if his organs contained those telltale crystals associated with antifreeze. The jurors today also heard that Stacey Castor's fingerprints were found on the glass containing antifreeze found on her husband's bedside nightstand in 2005. Ready forPoisoned Love: The Stacey Castor Story? Valerie Brogan. I hate my mother for ruining so many people's lives," Ashley Wallace told David Muir in 2009. For more stories like this, sign up for our newsletter. I didnt look around, I just sat there and waited for it to be done and left the courtroom, Castor said. I want her to sleep through til morning," Bree quoted her mother as saying. She says that's good enough for me.. When she awoke, Ashley said that the last thing she remembered was her mother making her a drink. It's difficult to fathom everything Ashley Wallace of Clay, NY experienced by the time she was 19, but let's try. Ashley Wallace Castor is the daughter of Stacey Ruth Castor who was a convicted murderer from Weedsport, New York. Even though I do hate her, I love her at the same time," Wallace said. Keep scrolling to get to know the true story behind the movie. The latest episode of ABC News Fatal Flaw delves into Stacey Castors story. Today, Wallace lives in New York, and is engaged to be married. Stacey Castor's daughter Ashley Wallace took the stand this morning as the prosecution's first witness to tearfully testify about the deaths of her father and stepfather. She faces 25 years to life in prison. The couple was married in 1990 and had two daughters together, Ashley and Bree. Ashley Wallace, daughter of Stacey Castor and Michael Wallace, spoke with ABC News in 2009 after her mother's conviction. And being my children, they questioned everything., Aug. 22, 2005: Castors second husband dies. And then she took that all away, Wallace said. She called Bree an innocent victim, whom she lost along with her freedom and her husbands. Then, Wallace says she planted a note next to her daughter's passed-out body, which confessed to the murders of her father and step-father. [13] Fitzpatrick claimed this was the day Castor wrote the note, which had Castor's fingerprints but not Ashley's, to frame her daughter. Talking about it, Ashley said, Ive relived this day over and over again in my head because what if there was something that I couldve done? 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