True Crime Obsessed – Episode 483: Murder in Monaco

Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Jillian Batavale, Patrick Hines
Episode Focus: A deep-dive, humor-laced breakdown of Netflix’s "Murder in Monaco," exploring the suspicious death of billionaire banker Edmond Safra in the world’s most exclusive playground.

Episode Overview

Patrick and Jillian recap and analyze the Netflix documentary "Murder in Monaco," which investigates the headline-grabbing 1999 death of billionaire banker Edmond Safra. Set against the glitzy, secretive world of Monaco, the case spirals into a web of billionaires, Russian mob links, a mysterious nurse, and improbable incompetence from the world’s supposed elite security forces. The episode is filled with the hosts' signature wit, skepticism, and questions about privilege, motive, and the reliability of every major figure (documentary, interviewee, and suspect alike).

Main Themes and Purpose

Examine the many-layered mystery surrounding Safra’s death, blending true crime intrigue with sharp comedic commentary.
Question the billionaire-saturated, highly surveilled society of Monaco and how such a murder could happen under everyone’s nose.
Dissect the conflicting stories and unreliable narrators, especially nurse Ted Maher (also known as John Green).
Explore what massive wealth and power enable – both in crime and its coverup.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hosts' Reactions to the Documentary

Patrick loves the doc’s messiness: “I love it so much.”
Jillian can barely hide her disinterest: “Oh, I hated it. I didn't. I don't even think it's well made. Sorry.” (00:25)
They agree the documentary raises more questions than it answers.

2. The Setting: Monaco’s Surreal Bubble

“Monaco is less than a square mile.” (Isabel Vincent, 01:53)
“It's a sunny place for shady people.” (Patrick, 01:55)
The country’s tax-free status, concentration of the super-rich, and omnipresent surveillance don’t align with the “safest place on earth” image after this incident.

3. Who Was Edmond Safra?

“He's Lebanese born from a wealthy Jewish banking [family]... One of the 200 richest...” (Patrick, 05:09)
Ran banks for the ultra-rich and royalty, surrounded by mystery and rumors of Russian mob involvement.
“His specialty: private banking for extremely wealthy clients.” (Patrick, 05:34)

4. The Night of the Crime

Masked intruders allegedly break into Safra’s penthouse, prompting him and nurse Vivian Torrente to hide in a reinforced panic room. Ultimately, the penthouse is set ablaze. (Isabel Vincent, 03:40)
“Firefighters and police burst into the panic room, find Edmond seated in a red chair, dead, with his nurse at his feet...” (Patrick, 04:03)
“This is the most... that’s the billionairiest thing I’ve ever heard. He’s like dead in the red wingback chair and she’s dead at his feet.” (Patrick, 04:18)

5. Spotlight: Enter Nurse Ted Maher

Ted Maher: Hired on the strength of a purportedly impressive CV – Green Beret, nurse, neonatal expertise.
“With Ted, you're getting a nurse, and a guerilla warfare expert, and a bodyguard all rolled into one.” (Jillian, 12:24)
Both hosts cast doubt on his credentials and backstory (“We have to question everything everybody tells us. Was he a neonatal nurse?” (Patrick, 13:20)
Ted received an extravagant salary plus an equally extravagant living stipend: “$600 a day and a $10,000 a month siphon...” (Ted Mayer, 17:32; Patrick/Jillian, 17:52)

6. Motives and Suspects

Russia’s involvement looms: Safra had massive financial dealings there, made enemies by pulling out his fortunes, and even cooperated with the FBI on Russian money laundering. (Isabel Vincent, 24:22)
“There's a lot of reasons to think... it was Russia at first.” (Patrick, 24:01)
Russian mob’s reputation for assassinating business rivals is hammered home. (Jillian, 23:04)

7. The Lily Safra Factor

The billionaire’s wife, fourth marriage, mysterious, ambitious—painted as a possible black widow.
“Her ambition was to become the world’s leading socialite and set about achieving it.” (Heidi, 09:42)
Both Safra and Lily’s former husbands died under odd circumstances after changing their wills in Lily’s favor.
- Notably: “He committed suicide by shooting himself. Twice.” (Isabel Vincent, 44:34)

8. The Security Conundrum

“The penthouse is over 10,000 square feet… Panic buttons everywhere, bulletproof shutters, CCTV everywhere. It was a fortress.” (Patrick, 25:01)
The key questions: If security was that tight, how did the crime happen? And why weren’t any bodyguards there the night of the fire?
“Not one member of Safra’s personal army was with him... except for the worst Green Beret on the planet.” (Jillian, 46:41)

9. The Case Against Ted

Authorities claim Ted Maher started the fire himself to then “heroically” save Safra and get rewarded.
CCTV wasn’t working that night, casting suspicions. (Patrick, 29:45)
Ted’s evolving, inconsistent stories (including being kidnapped by Russian mobsters) are dismantled by the hosts and other interview subjects.
“As he’s telling the story…I’m like, he’s not talking like a Green Beret and he’s not acting like a Green Beret.” (Jillian, 31:13)
The confession was signed under duress (possibly to protect his wife), but later investigation reveals it was translated for him—undercutting his own account. (Patrick/Jillian, 75:10)

10. Incompetence or Conspiracy? The Botched Rescue

Firefighters took three hours to access the penthouse, allegedly delayed by police protocol requiring a full building sweep. (Timelines at 54:04; 54:14)
“That is some…where I was like, oh, new fear unlocked! Like, this is absolutely horrifying.” (Jillian, 54:15)
The hosts (and documentary) hammer on how avoidable the deaths were if emergency response had been remotely competent.

11. Ted’s Life After—the Escapes, Lies, and Downfall

Ted attempts a prison break with help from cellmate Luigi (“Luigi says Ted’s obsession with being the main character is baffling.” (Jillian, 63:43))
Revealed later to have lied about his Green Beret past (“He absolutely was not.” – Guardians of Green Berets, 74:20)
After serving time, Ted (as John Green) faces new charges in the US, including attempted murder of a partner, dognapping, and fraud (72:29–76:18)
Documentary director admits to only belatedly verifying Ted’s background—a major critique.

12. Unanswered Questions, Baffling Endings, and Fragments of Truth

Wills changed weeks before deaths, CCTV failures, bodyguards' absence, no straightforward moti—abound.
“There are a lot of unreliable narrators here.” (Jillian, 79:04)
“Who's just like, oh, yeah, I'll just lose $50 million, cost of doing business?” (Jillian, 80:43)
Did Lilly, the Russians, Ted, or all three, conspire? Is it Occam’s Razor: Ted acted alone and made a fatal miscalculation?
Who really gains in a system built solely for billionaires’ peace of mind?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Billionaire Absurdity:
“This is the most... that’s the billionairiest thing I’ve ever heard. He’s like dead in the red wingback chair and she’s dead at his feet.” – Patrick (04:18)
Jillian Diagnosis:
“There are a lot of unreliable narrators here. I feel like if the Russian mob were involved, they’d do a much better job.” (79:04)
On Monaco:
“It’s a sunny place for shady people.” – Patrick (01:55)
On Ted’s Green Beret Credentials:
“[He] absolutely was not [a Green Beret].” — Guardians of the Green Berets (74:20)
Prison Break Dynamics:
“Luigi says Ted’s obsession with being the main character is baffling.” – Jillian (63:43)
“Ted got stuck because of his big butt, Luigi runs back home to Italy.” (65:10)
Illuminating Skepticism:
“As he’s telling the story…I’m like, he’s not talking like a Green Beret and he’s not acting like a Green Beret…Worst Green Beret of all time.” – Jillian (31:13, 38:38)
On the Cops’ Protocol During the Fire:
“The guy is in the panic room. Like, everyone is about to die…So this takes three hours.” – Jillian (55:01, 55:14)
On Lily Safra’s Reputation:
“Every time Lily gets married, the person is richer than the guy before.” – Patrick (44:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

00:25 – Hosts reveal their opposing reactions to the documentary
03:40 – Detailed recounting of the crime night
11:02 – Ted Maher’s introduction and sketchy credentials debated
17:32 – Ted details his extravagant pay and perks as Safra’s nurse
24:22 – FBI letter, Russian mob threat timeline outlined
29:45 – CCTV failures the night of the murder
46:41 – Security team’s mysterious absence scrutinized
54:04–55:14 – Emergency response timeline; marathon rescue fails
74:20 – Ted’s Green Beret claims debunked
76:18 – Ted’s final prison sentence and complete unraveling

Tone and Language

Maintains True Crime Obsessed's signature irreverence, pop culture banter, skepticism about docu-narratives, and dark, relatable humor (“worst Green Beret of all time” is a refrain; references to ’90s TV and “word salad” abound). The episode mixes genuine sympathy for victims (especially nurse Vivian) with exhausted disdain for billionaire melodrama and spectacle.

Final Takeaways

No one is trustworthy: Nearly every player (documentary maker included) is revealed to be an unreliable narrator.
Ted Maher/John Green’s guilt: He’s almost certainly the arsonist, but his bizarre lies, failures, and weird nonchalance boggle the mind.
Lily Safra remains enigmatic: Both a plausible black widow and a benefactor for many, she epitomizes the untouchable elite.
Justice for Vivian: The only indisputably innocent victim.
Systems built for the rich: Monaco’s veneer of safety, order, and privilege cracks spectacularly under scrutiny.
“None of this would have happened if the guy wasn’t a billionaire.” – Patrick (80:27)

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

If you’re new to the Safra case, this episode delivers all the wild twists, unbelievable privilege, and true-crime insanity of “Murder in Monaco,” but with the clarity, skepticism, and sharp laughter Jillian and Patrick are known for.

Listen for:

Biting commentary on billionaire culture
Unforgettable cast of characters—especially Nurse Ted and Lady C
Relentless takedown of mythologized true crime narratives
The real question: In a fortress built for billionaires, who wins, who dies, and who’s ever actually held accountable?

Next Week: The "Satanic Panic" origins in "Satan Wants You."

True Crime Obsessed – Episode 483: Murder in Monaco

Episode Overview

Main Themes and Purpose

Examine the many-layered mystery surrounding Safra’s death, blending true crime intrigue with sharp comedic commentary.
Question the billionaire-saturated, highly surveilled society of Monaco and how such a murder could happen under everyone’s nose.
Dissect the conflicting stories and unreliable narrators, especially nurse Ted Maher (also known as John Green).
Explore what massive wealth and power enable – both in crime and its coverup.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hosts' Reactions to the Documentary

Patrick loves the doc’s messiness: “I love it so much.”
Jillian can barely hide her disinterest: “Oh, I hated it. I didn't. I don't even think it's well made. Sorry.” (00:25)
They agree the documentary raises more questions than it answers.

2. The Setting: Monaco’s Surreal Bubble

“Monaco is less than a square mile.” (Isabel Vincent, 01:53)
“It's a sunny place for shady people.” (Patrick, 01:55)
The country’s tax-free status, concentration of the super-rich, and omnipresent surveillance don’t align with the “safest place on earth” image after this incident.

3. Who Was Edmond Safra?

“He's Lebanese born from a wealthy Jewish banking [family]... One of the 200 richest...” (Patrick, 05:09)
Ran banks for the ultra-rich and royalty, surrounded by mystery and rumors of Russian mob involvement.
“His specialty: private banking for extremely wealthy clients.” (Patrick, 05:34)

4. The Night of the Crime

Masked intruders allegedly break into Safra’s penthouse, prompting him and nurse Vivian Torrente to hide in a reinforced panic room. Ultimately, the penthouse is set ablaze. (Isabel Vincent, 03:40)
“Firefighters and police burst into the panic room, find Edmond seated in a red chair, dead, with his nurse at his feet...” (Patrick, 04:03)
“This is the most... that’s the billionairiest thing I’ve ever heard. He’s like dead in the red wingback chair and she’s dead at his feet.” (Patrick, 04:18)

5. Spotlight: Enter Nurse Ted Maher

Ted Maher: Hired on the strength of a purportedly impressive CV – Green Beret, nurse, neonatal expertise.
“With Ted, you're getting a nurse, and a guerilla warfare expert, and a bodyguard all rolled into one.” (Jillian, 12:24)
Both hosts cast doubt on his credentials and backstory (“We have to question everything everybody tells us. Was he a neonatal nurse?” (Patrick, 13:20)
Ted received an extravagant salary plus an equally extravagant living stipend: “$600 a day and a $10,000 a month siphon...” (Ted Mayer, 17:32; Patrick/Jillian, 17:52)

6. Motives and Suspects

Russia’s involvement looms: Safra had massive financial dealings there, made enemies by pulling out his fortunes, and even cooperated with the FBI on Russian money laundering. (Isabel Vincent, 24:22)
“There's a lot of reasons to think... it was Russia at first.” (Patrick, 24:01)
Russian mob’s reputation for assassinating business rivals is hammered home. (Jillian, 23:04)

7. The Lily Safra Factor

The billionaire’s wife, fourth marriage, mysterious, ambitious—painted as a possible black widow.
“Her ambition was to become the world’s leading socialite and set about achieving it.” (Heidi, 09:42)
Both Safra and Lily’s former husbands died under odd circumstances after changing their wills in Lily’s favor.
- Notably: “He committed suicide by shooting himself. Twice.” (Isabel Vincent, 44:34)

8. The Security Conundrum

“The penthouse is over 10,000 square feet… Panic buttons everywhere, bulletproof shutters, CCTV everywhere. It was a fortress.” (Patrick, 25:01)
The key questions: If security was that tight, how did the crime happen? And why weren’t any bodyguards there the night of the fire?
“Not one member of Safra’s personal army was with him... except for the worst Green Beret on the planet.” (Jillian, 46:41)

9. The Case Against Ted

Authorities claim Ted Maher started the fire himself to then “heroically” save Safra and get rewarded.
CCTV wasn’t working that night, casting suspicions. (Patrick, 29:45)
Ted’s evolving, inconsistent stories (including being kidnapped by Russian mobsters) are dismantled by the hosts and other interview subjects.
“As he’s telling the story…I’m like, he’s not talking like a Green Beret and he’s not acting like a Green Beret.” (Jillian, 31:13)
The confession was signed under duress (possibly to protect his wife), but later investigation reveals it was translated for him—undercutting his own account. (Patrick/Jillian, 75:10)

10. Incompetence or Conspiracy? The Botched Rescue

Firefighters took three hours to access the penthouse, allegedly delayed by police protocol requiring a full building sweep. (Timelines at 54:04; 54:14)
“That is some…where I was like, oh, new fear unlocked! Like, this is absolutely horrifying.” (Jillian, 54:15)
The hosts (and documentary) hammer on how avoidable the deaths were if emergency response had been remotely competent.

11. Ted’s Life After—the Escapes, Lies, and Downfall

Ted attempts a prison break with help from cellmate Luigi (“Luigi says Ted’s obsession with being the main character is baffling.” (Jillian, 63:43))
Revealed later to have lied about his Green Beret past (“He absolutely was not.” – Guardians of Green Berets, 74:20)
After serving time, Ted (as John Green) faces new charges in the US, including attempted murder of a partner, dognapping, and fraud (72:29–76:18)
Documentary director admits to only belatedly verifying Ted’s background—a major critique.

12. Unanswered Questions, Baffling Endings, and Fragments of Truth

Wills changed weeks before deaths, CCTV failures, bodyguards' absence, no straightforward moti—abound.
“There are a lot of unreliable narrators here.” (Jillian, 79:04)
“Who's just like, oh, yeah, I'll just lose $50 million, cost of doing business?” (Jillian, 80:43)
Did Lilly, the Russians, Ted, or all three, conspire? Is it Occam’s Razor: Ted acted alone and made a fatal miscalculation?
Who really gains in a system built solely for billionaires’ peace of mind?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Billionaire Absurdity:
“This is the most... that’s the billionairiest thing I’ve ever heard. He’s like dead in the red wingback chair and she’s dead at his feet.” – Patrick (04:18)
Jillian Diagnosis:
“There are a lot of unreliable narrators here. I feel like if the Russian mob were involved, they’d do a much better job.” (79:04)
On Monaco:
“It’s a sunny place for shady people.” – Patrick (01:55)
On Ted’s Green Beret Credentials:
“[He] absolutely was not [a Green Beret].” — Guardians of the Green Berets (74:20)
Prison Break Dynamics:
“Luigi says Ted’s obsession with being the main character is baffling.” – Jillian (63:43)
“Ted got stuck because of his big butt, Luigi runs back home to Italy.” (65:10)
Illuminating Skepticism:
“As he’s telling the story…I’m like, he’s not talking like a Green Beret and he’s not acting like a Green Beret…Worst Green Beret of all time.” – Jillian (31:13, 38:38)
On the Cops’ Protocol During the Fire:
“The guy is in the panic room. Like, everyone is about to die…So this takes three hours.” – Jillian (55:01, 55:14)
On Lily Safra’s Reputation:
“Every time Lily gets married, the person is richer than the guy before.” – Patrick (44:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

00:25 – Hosts reveal their opposing reactions to the documentary
03:40 – Detailed recounting of the crime night
11:02 – Ted Maher’s introduction and sketchy credentials debated
17:32 – Ted details his extravagant pay and perks as Safra’s nurse
24:22 – FBI letter, Russian mob threat timeline outlined
29:45 – CCTV failures the night of the murder
46:41 – Security team’s mysterious absence scrutinized
54:04–55:14 – Emergency response timeline; marathon rescue fails
74:20 – Ted’s Green Beret claims debunked
76:18 – Ted’s final prison sentence and complete unraveling

Tone and Language

Final Takeaways

No one is trustworthy: Nearly every player (documentary maker included) is revealed to be an unreliable narrator.
Ted Maher/John Green’s guilt: He’s almost certainly the arsonist, but his bizarre lies, failures, and weird nonchalance boggle the mind.
Lily Safra remains enigmatic: Both a plausible black widow and a benefactor for many, she epitomizes the untouchable elite.
Justice for Vivian: The only indisputably innocent victim.
Systems built for the rich: Monaco’s veneer of safety, order, and privilege cracks spectacularly under scrutiny.
“None of this would have happened if the guy wasn’t a billionaire.” – Patrick (80:27)

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

Listen for:

Biting commentary on billionaire culture
Unforgettable cast of characters—especially Nurse Ted and Lady C
Relentless takedown of mythologized true crime narratives
The real question: In a fortress built for billionaires, who wins, who dies, and who’s ever actually held accountable?

Next Week: The "Satanic Panic" origins in "Satan Wants You."

483: Murder in Monaco

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Summary

True Crime Obsessed – Episode 483: Murder in Monaco

Episode Overview

Main Themes and Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hosts' Reactions to the Documentary

2. The Setting: Monaco’s Surreal Bubble

3. Who Was Edmond Safra?

4. The Night of the Crime

5. Spotlight: Enter Nurse Ted Maher

6. Motives and Suspects

7. The Lily Safra Factor

8. The Security Conundrum

9. The Case Against Ted

10. Incompetence or Conspiracy? The Botched Rescue

11. Ted’s Life After—the Escapes, Lies, and Downfall

12. Unanswered Questions, Baffling Endings, and Fragments of Truth

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Tone and Language

Final Takeaways

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters

Summary

True Crime Obsessed – Episode 483: Murder in Monaco

Episode Overview

Main Themes and Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Hosts' Reactions to the Documentary

2. The Setting: Monaco’s Surreal Bubble

3. Who Was Edmond Safra?

4. The Night of the Crime

5. Spotlight: Enter Nurse Ted Maher

6. Motives and Suspects

7. The Lily Safra Factor

8. The Security Conundrum

9. The Case Against Ted

10. Incompetence or Conspiracy? The Botched Rescue

11. Ted’s Life After—the Escapes, Lies, and Downfall

12. Unanswered Questions, Baffling Endings, and Fragments of Truth

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Segment Timestamps

Tone and Language

Final Takeaways

For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters