Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode: Martie Roderberg

Date: April 12, 2026
Host: Oxygen Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of Snapped explores the chilling case of Martie (Marty) Soderbergh, a woman from Spokane County, Washington, who orchestrated an elaborate plot to have her husband, Russell Soderbergh, murdered for a life insurance payout. Through a mix of police investigation, sting operations, and family interviews, listeners are led through the events that exposed Martie’s calculated plan, her history of fraud, and the extent of her manipulations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unusual 911 Call and Initial Investigation

• [01:06] Detective recounts a strange 911 call: “A man called 911 and he said he wanted to report a murder. But it hadn't happened yet.”
• Martin Drake reveals that a former friend, Martie Soderbergh, solicited him to kill her husband Russell, prompting him to go to the authorities:
  • “We hadn't talked in 20 some years. And she's trying to get me to kill somebody. I realized right then and there I had to go to the authorities.” [01:15]

2. Background of Russell and Martie Soderbergh

• [05:06-07:46] Russell's background as a family man and provider, later marrying Martie after divorcing his first wife.
• Martie’s difficult upbringing and reputation as a “wild child” are discussed by family members. Her eventual attempt to settle into family life is acknowledged.

3. The Murder-for-Hire Plot Unfolds

• [09:23] Martie reinitiates contact with Martin Drake, a struggling old friend, under the pretext of helping him, but quickly pivots to recruiting him for murder:
  • “We hadn't talked in 20 some years, and that's when she dropped the bomb. She's trying to get me to kill her husband.” [10:12]
• Motivated by a $300,000 life insurance policy she recently took out, Martie requests the murder to occur on Halloween, providing her with an alibi:
  • “She wanted me to shoot him on Halloween night in front of their kids while they were trick or treating so she would have an alibi.” [11:06]

4. Police Sting Operation

• [12:54-16:13] Due to Drake’s criminal past, detectives approach the allegation skeptically but launch a sting to obtain proof, supplying Drake with a wire.
• Martie is caught on tape discussing alternatives to the Halloween plot and revealing knowledge of policy payouts under various circumstances.
  • “If I knew he was going out of town...like the rest area would be a good spot for something to happen.” – Martie Soderbergh [17:04]
  • “If he gets shot...he's covered. That’s the only reason I went with this. It's a more expensive insurance.” – Martie Soderbergh [18:03]
• She further instructs Drake on evidence disposal, showcasing chilling premeditation:
  • “Your biggest thing is when you do do it, make sure you have something on that you can totally take off and dispose of. Get it gone, right?” [18:24]

5. Martie's Manipulation and Prior Attempts

• [19:43-21:30] Martie attempts to seduce Drake during the sting, asking if he'd marry her after Russell’s death, and confesses to previously soliciting another friend, Dennis Bierke, for the hit.
  • “Would you get married to me?...But I want to so Bad.” – Martie Soderbergh [19:58]
  • “Me and Dennis, we'd slept together. He thinks me and him are gonna end up getting together after all this... So anytime I needed anything, he was there.” [21:04]

6. Second Sting & 'Substantial Step' for Arrest

• [23:47-27:41] Investigators, needing Martie to take overt action for an attempted murder charge, set up a “gun buy” with Drake. Martie gives Drake money for a gun, an unequivocal move toward the crime:
  • “She gave me the money, and I was supposed to have been going over to buy the gun and then come back.” – Martin Drake [26:35]
• Police immediately arrest her, ensuring Russell’s safety.

7. Martie’s Interrogation & Denials

• Martie attempts to deny everything, claiming, “She has a big mouth and she sometimes says things she doesn't mean.” [28:12]
• When confronted about the recordings:
  • “There shouldn’t be.” – Martie Soderbergh [28:48]
• Realizes the severity and asks for a lawyer when the evidence is made plain.

8. The Aftermath: Family, Motive, and Further Crimes

• Russell reacts with disbelief and confusion when told of the plot.
  • “I'm thinking, now, how's something this stupid going on?” – Russell Soderbergh [29:52, 31:18]
• Family and detectives describe a toxic marriage, with recurring fights primarily over money:
  • “Money was always a big thing with her. You borrow money from her and it was like selling your soul to the devil.” – Family Member [33:26]

9. Connection to Previous Arson & Pattern of Fraud

• Investigation uncovers Martie’s role in a 2013 arson for insurance money, with Dennis Bierke confessing:
  • “Dennis said, Marty had me start her house on fire and burn it because she wanted the insurance money to move and leave Russell. Dennis said it was all her plan.” – Detective [36:06]
• Detectives charge Martie with arson and theft in addition to attempted murder.

10. Prosecution, Trial, and Sentencing

• Despite being offered a plea deal, Martie insists on going to trial, displaying continued manipulation and a lack of remorse.
  • “She really thought she was still above and beyond and smarter [than] prosecutors, the cops.” – Martin Drake [40:04]
• Jurors are swayed by the powerful wire recordings, and Martie is convicted:
  • “We ended up getting a verdict of guilty for the attempted murder. She received 15 years for that.” – Detective [42:11]
  • Further, Martie is sentenced to an additional three years for arson and fraud [42:36].
• Family reflects on Martie’s manipulations, even from prison (requesting expensive items via catalog), and her children express emotional exhaustion and estrangement.

11. Russell Moves On

• Russell waits to divorce Martie until she is incarcerated to protect his assets, expressing relief the plot failed and a desire for a fresh start:
  • “I'm glad it didn't happen... Life goes on. It does. Living a good life.” – Russell Soderbergh [43:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If I knew I could get away with it, it would have already been done.” – Marty Soderbergh [22:04; 41:12]
• “Psychopath is the best way to describe her.” – Martin Drake [22:14]
• “You borrow money from her and it was like selling your soul to the devil.” – Family Member [33:26]
• “She essentially went double or nothing, and she lost on both.” – Detective/Police Officer [42:49]
• “I want nothing to do with it. I really don't. I'm glad it didn't happen.” – Russell Soderbergh [43:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:06] — Martin Drake’s 911 confession
• [05:06–07:46] — Background of the Soderberghs
• [10:12] — Martie’s solicitation of murder and insurance motive revealed
• [13:18–16:13] — Sting operation preparation and execution
• [17:04–22:04] — Chilling details of Martie’s plot and callous motives
• [26:35–27:41] — Martie hands over money for the gun
• [29:52] — Russell’s reaction
• [36:06] — Dennis Bierke’s confession to arson
• [40:13–42:49] — Trials, verdict, and sentencing
• [43:46] — Russell’s closing thoughts on moving forward

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains the characteristically tense, investigative style of Snapped, punctuated by the blunt disbelief of family members and the chilling casualness with which Martie discusses murder. The narrative shifts between detectives’ methodical assessments, the dry recounting of evidence, and heartfelt, sometimes heartbroken, family reflections.

Conclusion

The Martie Soderbergh episode of Snapped exposes an extraordinary case of manipulation, greed, and premeditated violence—a chilling portrait of a woman who viewed those around her as tools for financial gain. Law enforcement’s thorough and creative tactics, aided by the courage of Martin Drake, ultimately brought her to justice. The episode leaves listeners pondering the darkness that can hide beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.