In 2016, Lawrence Rudolph, a prominent dentist from Pittsburgh, and his wife Bianca set out for a hunting expedition in Kafue National Park, Zambia. Tragically, Bianca did not return from the trip.
While on a safari in Africa, Bianca tragically passed away. Lawrence reported that she had accidentally shot herself while placing a rifle into its case. At that time, Zambian authorities concluded that her death was an accident.
On August 1, 2022, a Denver federal court jury convicted Lawrence for the murder of his wife of three decades. Authorities found him guilty of murdering a U.S. citizen abroad and committing mail fraud.
Lawrence orchestrated a scheme to defraud several life insurance companies, resulting in over $4.8 million in fraudulent claims. He was subsequently sentence to life in prison. Additionally, Lori Milliron, Lawrence’s longtime partner and found guilty as an accessory to the crime, received a 17-year prison sentence.
Zambian authorities reported that Lawrence stated Bianca was preparing a firearm in their bedroom on the final day of their safari. While he was in the bathroom, he heard a gunshot.
At that moment, he discovered his wife on the floor, critically injured by a shotgun wound to the heart. Spencer Kakuma, a game scout on safari, quickly rushed to the Rudolph’s’ cabin after hearing the gunshot.
Lawrence initially informed him that his wife had died by suicide. However, Lawrence later changed his account, claiming that Bianca had accidentally shot herself. When Kakuma arrived, Lawrence was dressed, but local authorities reported that Lawrence had told them he was only wearing a towel. The inconsistencies in the story raised suspicions.
An official from the U.S. Embassy and a seasoned former Marine with extensive expertise in weapons chose to examine the body before the local funeral home cremated it.
After discovering that Bianca was set to be cremated, a friend grew concerned, given that Bianca was a devout Catholic and cremation would likely contradict her religious beliefs.
Bianca’s friend informed the FBI that Lawrence was having an affair and had a history of verbal abuse. The couple also frequently argued over financial issues.
Lawrence’s lawyers argued that Bianca was aware of the affair, suggesting that it could not have been a motive for the murder.
Despite concerns, the friend observed that Bianca’s religious values and Lawrence’s financial interests strongly influenced their commitment to avoid divorce.
Lawrence began submitting claims on his wife’s life insurance policies just a month after returning to the U.S., prompting authorities to reach the correct conclusions based on this information.
Five years after his wife’s death, authorities took Lawrence into custody. He had murdered Bianca on behalf of Lori Million, motivated by a financial gain from the insurance payout.
