Summary of "The Green Widow Murders" Episode 520 on Going West: True Crime

Introduction

In Episode 520 of Going West: True Crime, Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman delve into the chilling case of the Green Widow murders. Released on July 15, 2025, this episode unpacks the disappearance and murder of Hollywood camera operator Robert "Bob" Samuels, unraveling a web of deceit, manipulation, and murder that ultimately led to multiple convictions and one death row sentence.

Background: Robert "Bob" Samuels and Mary Ellen Gurnick

Robert Briscom Samuels, known as Bob, was born on September 20, 1948, in North Carolina but spent most of his life in Santa Ana, California, a vibrant hub near Los Angeles. From a young age, Bob aspired to work on movie sets, cultivating a successful career as a camera assistant and contributing to several iconic films, including The Color Purple and Beverly Hills Cop 2. His colleagues remembered him as a hard-working and personable individual:

"He's not a player, he was a hard-working guy." — Geary McLeod ([06:05])

Despite his thriving career, Bob yearned for a stable family life. This desire led him to reconnect with his high school crush, Mary Ellen Gurnick, at his 10-year reunion, culminating in their swift marriage six months later in 1986.

Mary Ellen, two years Bob’s senior, was the quintessential high school popular girl with dreams of show business that never materialized. Her relationship with Bob, though initially promising, soon revealed deep fissures. Mary Ellen's ex-husband described her as a compulsive liar and a gambling addict, traits that would later become significant in the unfolding tragedy.

Marital Struggles and Escalating Tensions

Bob and Mary Ellen's marriage, though initially harmonious, quickly deteriorated. Mary Ellen struggled with the suburban lifestyle and Bob's steady but unglamorous career in Hollywood. Her excessive spending, gambling, and drug use put immense strain on their relationship. For instance, Mary Ellen once spent $22,000 in a single month, equivalent to nearly $91,000 today, on shopping sprees and nightlife:

"She spent $22,000, which already sounds like a lot, but that's nearly $91,000 by today's standards, in just one month on shopping and going out." — Nicole ([13:26])

Bob's attempts to salvage their marriage included unconventional measures, such as franchising a Subway sandwich shop for Mary Ellen to manage, hoping to provide her with structure and purpose. However, Mary Ellen misused the business as a front for selling cocaine, further exacerbating their financial issues and mistrust.

The Murder of Bob Samuels

On December 7, 1988, Bob returned home from work and was brutally murdered in his Northridge residence. An intruder allegedly entered through the back door, shooting Bob in the head with a shotgun modified to act as a silencer. His body remained undiscovered for two days until Mary Ellen and their daughter, Nicole, found him:

"The back door appeared as if someone had taken a crowbar to it, making it look like a break-in had occurred." — Nicole ([22:35])

Initial investigations raised suspicions due to the lack of evidence supporting a random home invasion. Authorities noted that nothing of value was stolen, and Bob's belongings remained largely intact, suggesting the scene might have been staged.

Mary Ellen was the primary person of interest, especially given her erratic behavior post-murder. Prosecutor Jan Morrise noted:

"At one point, she put her hand on one of the detective's bald heads and talked about how she liked bald guys." — Heath ([25:06])

Despite Mary's initially truthful polygraph results, inconsistencies soon emerged, leading investigators to doubt her innocence.

Unraveling the Plot: Hiring of Hitmen

The investigation took a significant turn five months after the murder when an anonymous tip linked Jimmy Bernstein, Nicole's fiancé, to the crime. Jimmy confessed his involvement, revealing that Mary Ellen had orchestrated the murder to secure life insurance money and control over Bob's estate. He detailed how Mary Ellen manipulated him into the plot, leveraging Nicole's involvement to eliminate Bob.

Additionally, Jimmy's attempted murder in June 1989 further exposed Mary Ellen's relentless pursuit to cover her tracks. She hired additional hitmen, Paul Gaul and Darryl Ray Edwards, to silence Jimmy when he began to show remorse and fear of being caught.

"Mary Ellen wanted to pocket the insurance money and take control of Bob's estate as well as the sandwich shop so that she could sell it." — Nicole ([35:13])

These revelations painted Mary Ellen as a relentless and manipulative orchestrator of murder, deeply entwined in criminal activities to preserve her financial gains.

The Trial and Conviction

Mary Ellen's trial in March 1994 was marked by harrowing testimonies and damning evidence. Prosecutor Jan Morrise described her as:

"Selfish, manipulative, a predator, the mastermind of two evil plots." — Jan Morrise ([51:07])

Despite Mary Ellen and Nicole's claims of being framed by the hitmen, the evidence, including financial transactions and eyewitness testimonies, proved overwhelmingly against them. Nicole, although initially a key witness for the defense, faced accusations of lying under pressure from her mother.

The jury found Mary Ellen guilty of murder, leading to her sentencing to death on September 16, 1994. This conviction was a significant moment, highlighting her calculated and ruthless nature:

"How many bodies does it take? We're talking about murder for the sake of the almighty dollar." — Deputy District Attorney Jan Morrise ([52:19])

Aftermath and Continuing Impact

Following her conviction, Mary Ellen became known as the "Green Widow," a moniker stemming from an infamous photo found at her residence depicting her amidst her husband's blood money. Despite her death sentence being reversed in 2019 due to procedural errors, Mary Ellen remains incarcerated, now 78 years old.

Darryl and Paul, the hitmen, received substantial prison sentences but were eventually paroled in 2009. Surprisingly, Nicole evaded legal repercussions, marrying and starting a family, leaving many questions about her ongoing relationship with her mother and the true extent of her involvement.

Conclusion

The Green Widow murders stand as a testament to the destructive power of greed and manipulation. Mary Ellen Gurnick's orchestrated plot to eliminate her husband for financial gain, coupled with her influence over her daughter, showcases a deeply disturbing case of familial betrayal and criminal endeavor. Through meticulous investigation and compelling courtroom drama, Going West: True Crime illuminates the dark corridors of human behavior, offering listeners a profound exploration of one of Hollywood's most unsettling true crime stories.

Notable Quotes

• "He's not a player, he was a hard-working guy." — Geary McLeod ([06:05])
• "She spent $22,000, which already sounds like a lot, but that's nearly $91,000 by today's standards, in just one month on shopping and going out." — Nicole ([13:26])
• "At one point, she put her hand on one of the detective's bald heads and talked about how she liked bald guys." — Heath ([25:06])
• "Mary Ellen wanted to pocket the insurance money and take control of Bob's estate as well as the sandwich shop so that she could sell it." — Nicole ([35:13])
• "Selfish, manipulative, a predator, the mastermind of two evil plots." — Jan Morrise ([51:07])
• "How many bodies does it take? We're talking about murder for the sake of the almighty dollar." — Deputy District Attorney Jan Morrise ([52:19])

Additional Resources

For those interested in exploring this case further, Going West: True Crime has shared photos related to the Green Widow murders on their social media platforms. Listeners are encouraged to visit Instagram @goingwestpodcast and their Facebook page for visual insights into this harrowing story.

Upcoming Tour Announcement

In a brief promotional segment, Daphne and Heath announce their upcoming tour scheduled for September, including stops in Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. Fans are invited to attend interactive sessions and games, promising a blend of true crime discussion and engaging entertainment. Tickets can be purchased at goingwestpod.com/tour.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the original podcast transcript provided.