Going West: True Crime

Episode 577: The American Beauty Murder

Release Date: January 27, 2026
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Overview

This episode dives deep into the haunting case of Greg de Vieille—a 26-year-old San Diego biotech worker found dead in November 2000 in a scene eerily reminiscent of the film "American Beauty." What initially appeared as suicide, complete with a dramatic arrangement of rose petals and a wedding photo, soon unraveled into a web of betrayal, workplace intrigue, addiction, and murder. Hosts Daphne and Heath meticulously retrace the victims' and suspects' histories, relationships, and the complex investigation that exposed the truth behind Greg’s death.

Episode Structure & Key Discussion Points

1. Setting the Scene: The Crime (03:37)

• Greg de Vieille found dead in his apartment, laid out on his bed with rose petals and a carefully placed wedding photograph. His wife, Kristen Rossum, reports a suicide but the details raise questions.
• Initial family and victim background: Greg, son of French immigrants, oldest of three, described as stable, intelligent, and supportive—especially after his parents' divorce.

2. The "Movie-Like" Meeting of Greg & Kristen (08:04)

• Greg meets Kristen Rossum in a “movie meet-cute” at the Tijuana border in 1994; both are students in the San Diego area.
• Kristen’s background: child of a high-achieving professor, moved frequently, academically gifted, with a history of ballet and early drug experimentation.

3. Intensifying Relationship & Early Red Flags (12:47)

• Fast-moving romance: Kristen quickly moves in with Greg, despite her parents' reservations.
• Kristen’s parents support the couple financially, providing over $75,000 over a few years.
• Early engagement and marriage; both land promising jobs in science and medicine.

4. Kristen’s Double Life & Marital Troubles (16:51)

• Greg becomes suspicious after finding a romantic letter from Kristen’s boss, Dr. Michael Robertson; confrontation leads to Kristen demanding a separation.
• Kristen’s secret: a pattern of manipulation, previous drug addiction, and multiple ongoing affairs.

Memorable Moment (16:55):

Heath (addressing Greg’s disbelief):

"He's like, what the fuck was that? Why do you seem so weird right now?"

5. The Death Investigation & Suspicion Deepens (19:49)

• Kristen calls 911 after finding Greg unresponsive. Paramedics find him blue-faced, surrounded by rose petals and a wedding photo.
• Kristen repeatedly suggests Greg overdosed on pills, even prompting suspicion by “pushing a narrative” (22:44).

Notable Quote (22:44) Heath:

"It's kind of strange that she's already sort of pushing a little bit of a narrative here."

• Outside toxicologist assigned to Greg’s case, as workplace colleagues note Kristen’s affair with Dr. Robertson—a massive conflict of interest (25:28).
• Massive amounts of fentanyl and clonazepam found in Greg’s system—overdose ruled as suicide, but the officers stay suspicious.

6. Kristen’s Troubled Past Comes to Light (37:13)

• A history of meth addiction from age 16; repeated relapses, extreme behaviors, and manipulations.
• Greg’s attempts to help Kristen get clean; Kristen’s manipulations described through both personal and professional accounts.

Notable Quote (38:04) Heath:

"I mean, it's pretty crazy work to start using meth, especially during that time in the '90s while you're in high school."

7. Trail of Affairs & the “American Beauty” Motif (44:14)

• Kristen’s ongoing affairs before and after marriage; repeatedly doubts the relationship but refuses to leave.
• Obsession with the movie "American Beauty"—films’ iconic rose petal motif directly reflected in the staging of Greg’s death (49:15).

Notable Quote (51:45) Daphne:

"She and Michael would exchange different colored roses as, like, a symbol of their affair and their love for each other. So she's with this guy again, who she admires, who is successful in his career... he gives her roses. So she's comparing Greg to this other man."

8. The Timeline and Forensic Evidence (59:09)

• Reconstruction of the hours before and after Greg’s death:
  • Greg sedated Sunday night with clonazepam and oxycodone; additional fentanyl administered throughout Monday, during several suspicious trips Kristen made home from work.
  • Kristen’s calculated actions: calling in sick for Greg, shopping for soup and roses, repeated contact with Dr. Robertson on a new, secret cell phone.

Memorable Quote (59:51) Heath:

"Yeah, she's such a dumbass."

9. The Investigation and Trial (54:20–67:46)

• Prosecution argument: Kristen poisoned Greg to be with Dr. Robertson, motivated by fear of exposure and addiction.
• Missing fentanyl vials and patches from Kristen’s workplace; evidence of her erratic behavior and drug use noted by coworkers.
• Defense claims evidence mishandling, but the overwhelming circumstantial and forensic evidence points to Kristen’s guilt.
• Dr. Robertson not charged due to lack of evidence in conspiring, despite his clear involvement past the affair.
• Jury convicts Kristen of first-degree murder; she is sentenced to life without parole.

10. Aftermath and Legacy (68:04–end)

• Kristen paints herself as the ultimate “American beauty” — respected, educated, and beautiful — but her manipulations, crimes, and addiction ruined her life and others.
• Greg’s family wins a $14.5 million wrongful death suit; Kristen remains imprisoned, Dr. Robertson returns to Australia.
• Reflections on “wasted” potential, the ripple effect of betrayal, and the importance of shrewd investigation.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:37 – Discovery of Greg’s body, background
• 08:04 – Greg meets Kristen, her early life
• 16:51 – Greg discovers affair, marriage fallout
• 19:49 – The death scene and 911 call
• 22:44 – Kristen pushes overdose narrative
• 25:28 – Autopsy and workplace drama
• 37:13 – Kristen’s drug use history
• 44:14 – Affairs escalate, wedding doubts
• 49:15 – Obsession with "American Beauty," rose symbolism
• 59:09 – Detailed murder timeline and forensic findings
• 54:20–67:46 – Trial and conviction
• 68:04 – Aftermath, societal commentary, victims’ legacy

Notable Quotes & Commentary

• On Greg’s role as provider (07:40, Daphne):

  "He was very rational, calm and levelheaded… with my father gone, Greg was one of the providers for the household."

• On Kristen’s manipulations (45:49, Daphne):

  "She’s not necessarily playing her options, but just trying to win everybody over."

• On wasted potential (68:25, Heath):

  "She was smart, she had a good job… and she just chose to be an evil piece of shit."

• On the importance of the outside autopsy (70:48, Daphne):

  "Had Greg’s autopsy been conducted by Dr. Michael Robertson, Kristen Rossum may very well have gotten away with murder."

Host Reflections

• Daphne and Heath repeatedly lament the senselessness of the crime, Kristen’s refusal to simply leave the relationship, and how her selfishness led to Greg’s death.
• They underline how striking the performative and cinematic aspects of the crime were, and how the case could easily have been mishandled or the murderers unpunished, but for key decisions by third parties.
• The episode closes with advice against betrayal and unnecessary violence in relationships, inviting listeners to look at case photos on their social media.

For Listeners Wanting More

• Book recommendation: “Deadly American Beauty: A Story of Passion, Adultery, and Murder” by John Glatt for a comprehensive account of the case.
• Check hosts’ social channels for case photos and ongoing discussions.

In Summary:
This episode highlights how true crime can feel stranger than fiction, capturing how deeply personal flaws, professional conduct, and cultural references (like "American Beauty") played into a real-life tragedy — and how detailed investigation and workplace ethics were crucial to uncovering the truth. This is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the diligence of investigators and colleagues who caught what so easily could have been just another “tragic suicide.”