Netflix’s latest true crime documentary Murder in Monaco will share an inside look into the murder of billionaire banker and philanthropist Edmond Safra.
As the documentary makes its premiere, Us Weekly breaks down everything to know about the case, Safra’s murder and the upcoming project.
Inside Edmond Safra’s Murder
Safra and his nurse Vivian Torrente died in 1999 when a fire was set off at his home in Monte Carlo. Authorities developed a long list of suspects that included Russian mafia members, Colombian drug cartels and more, according to The Guardian.
Daniel Serdet, the attorney general and chief prosecutor of Monaco, stated that Safra’s personal security chief Samuel Cohen said that no security guards were working the night of the fatal fire.
Following an intense investigation, Monaco authorities concluded that the fire was set by Safra’s other nurse, Ted Maher, according to A&E. Maher, a former Green Beret turned private nurse, claimed that he was sitting at the apartment’s nursing station on the night of the fire when he was attacked by two masked intruders. He said he blacked out from the alleged attack, though he woke up and told Torrente she needed to be with Safra, who was unable to move due to his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
Authorities eventually came to learn that there were no intruders, and the wounds that Maher obtained from the alleged attackers were actually self-inflicted.
Why Did Ted Maher Kill Edmond Safra?
While he was under interrogation, Maher told investigators that he was scared to lose his job due to tension he had with a senior nurse on staff, according to A&E. By setting the fire, Maher hoped to impress Safra by rescuing him. He believed that saving him from the fire would show Safra his loyalty, as well as make the billionaire grateful.
The case went to trial in 2002, and Maher was ultimately convicted of arson resulting in death. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and was released early in 2007.
However, Maher’s headline making actions didn’t stop there and he managed to escape with another inmate in January 2003. The pair used blades to cut the windows of their cells and they made a rope out of smuggled trash bags to lower themselves from the cell. They were able to make it to Nice, France, before they were captured the next day.
What Is Netflix’s ‘Murder in Monaco’ About?
Murder in Monaco’s synopsis doesn’t give much away, though the drama behind Safra’s murder will likely include an intriguing investigation.
“Monaco, 1999. One of the world’s richest men dies in his penthouse,” the synopsis stated. “This documentary unpacks the mysterious murder of billionaire banker, Edmond Safra.”
What Happens in the ‘Murder in Monaco’ Trailer?
The trailer begins with a woman declaring that she wanted the interview to be “over as quickly as possible.”
Clips go on to show news coverage of Safra’s murder, with one reporter wondering in a voiceover, “Who wanted him dead and why?”
Other clips show people explaining whether or not they believe Maher is guilty of the crime. Meanwhile, other footage breaks down theories that the Russian mafia or Safra’s wife, Lily Safra, were involved in the murder.
“There could be no better murder mystery than Edmond Safra,” one man said at the end of the clip.
When Does ‘Murder in Monaco’ Premiere?
Murder in Monaco will premiere on Netflix on Wednesday, December 17.
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