The story of Virginia Larzelere reads like a dark tale of human emotions pushed to their extreme, enveloping lives in a blanket of tragedy, deception, and greed. From her troubled past to her tumultuous marriage and chilling end of her spouse, the narrative is a grim reminder of the potential depths to which human behavior can plunge.
Early Life and Beginnings of Virginia Larzelere
Virginia Larzelere was one of four daughters born in Lake Wales, Florida. However, her childhood wasn’t one of happiness and peace, but of dark secrets and trauma. Her alcoholic father subjected his daughters to molestation, with Virginia being the primary victim. At just 17 years of age, she escaped her tormenting household to embark on the journey of marriage. After multiple marriages, she found herself at the altar with Norman Larzelere, a dentist, in 1985.
The Strained Marriage of the Larzeleres
Virginia and Norman’s marriage, initially characterized by affection and companionship, started to weather stormy seas a few years into their wedded life. As an attempt to salvage their sinking relationship, the couple ventured into the world of swinging. Unfortunately, this unconventional exploration exacerbated their existing problems instead of bridging their emotional divide.
The Shocking Murder of Norman Larzelere
The 8th of March, 1991, marked a tragic day in the Larzelere family history. Norman, working at his dental office in Edgewood, Florida, along with his wife Virginia, was murdered in broad daylight by a masked gunman. The assailant pursued Norman through the office, eventually shooting him through the closed door of the waiting room. The frightened Virginia, witnessing her husband’s demise, made a desperate call to 911, but to no avail.
Investigation and Virginia’s Involvement
As authorities began unraveling the layers of the Larzelere murder, Virginia’s name surfaced as a primary suspect. One of the patients at Norman’s office revealed a shocking detail – she had heard Norman utter the name “Jason” right before his tragic demise. Jason was Virginia’s son from a previous marriage, and his name being associated with the crime set the course for an unsettling investigation.
Further implicating Virginia were the claims of two men with whom she allegedly had extramarital affairs. They declared that Virginia had sought their help in killing Norman, revealing a potential motive of financial gain for her.
Unraveling of a Chilling Insurance Plot
During the investigation, it was revealed that Virginia had acquired seven life insurance policies on Norman, totaling around $2 million. She had significantly increased the number of policies months before the murder. Although Norman was aware of these policies, investigators believed Virginia was the driving force behind them. Eyewitness testimonies from Kristen Palmieri and Steven Heidle further implicated Virginia, as they disclosed she had asked her son Jason to retrieve Norman’s will and life insurance policies from a storage unit the night before the murder.
Conviction and Life in Prison
Virginia Larzelere, now approximately 69 years old, is currently incarcerated at the Homestead Correctional Institution in Miami-Dade County, Florida. A jury found her guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Norman Larzelere, in August 1992. Initially handed down a death sentence, her punishment was later reduced to life in prison, partly due to ineffective counsel during her trial. Reports in May 2020 revealed that Virginia had tested positive for COVID-19, her existing asthma and lung conditions posing an increased health risk. Despite these health concerns, she continues to serve her life sentence for her role in the haunting Larzelere murder case.
