A chilling new Sky documentary will explore the dark past of one of Britain's most infamous female killers, known as The Black Widow. Black Widow will explore the criminal history of Dena Thompson, who over a span of 20 years, orchestrated a relentless campaign of fraud, deception, bigamy and murder.
Thompson used Lonely Hearts columns to ensnare a string of husbands and countless lovers, manipulating them with her convincing yet outlandish tales into surrendering their life savings, homes, families and freedom.
On his 31st birthday in June 1994, Julian Webb fell victim to Thompson's murderous intent when she spiked a curry she served him with lethal doses of antidepressants, leading to his overdose. Thompson later spread the 'falsehood that he had intentionally taken his own life, resulting in an open verdict at his inquest.
In 2003, Thompson's reign of terror came to an end when she was apprehended in Devon and subsequently found guilty for the murder of Julian Webb. The three-part series 'Black Widow' features first-hand accounts from those impacted by her crimes, including exclusive insights from her first husband, who ended up destitute, believing he was fleeing from the mafia.
'Black Widow' is set to premiere on Sunday, September 15 on Sky Documentaries. Each episode will run for approximately an hour, and the entire series will also be available as a box set on Sky and NOW.
The series will also expose Dena as a bigamist, having married Lee Wyatt in 1984, followed by Julian Webb in 1991. After Webb's demise, she divorced Wyatt and wed Richard Thompson in 1998.
She was also found guilty of fraud for duping both Wyatt and Thompson, leading to her arrest. After serving 19 years in prison, she was released in 2022.
Her victims continue to grapple with the aftermath of her actions.
Black Widow is set to debut on Sky Documentaries on 15 September. The series will also be accessible as a box set on Sky and NOW.
