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Murder in Monaco

February 3, 2026·1 hr 23 min·5 clips

Monaco's police wasted three hours clearing a parking garage while a billionaire and his nurse suffocated in a panic room.

This episode covers the Netflix documentary "Murder in Monaco," which investigates the 1999 death of billionaire banker Edmond Safra. Hosts Gillian Pensavalle and Patrick Hinds, known for their comedic and enthusiastic true crime recaps, offer their contrasting reactions to the film. The case centers on Safra's death in a fire within his heavily fortified Monaco penthouse, alongside his nurse, Vivian Torrente. The documentary features investigative reporter Isabel Vincent, who spent years researching the unresolved mystery. It introduces key figures like Safra's socialite wife, Lily, and their grumpy friend, Lady Colin Campbell, who reluctantly participates in an interview. The narrative details how Safra and Torrente retreated into a safe room during a reported home invasion before succumbing to smoke inhalation. Another nurse, Ted Maher, a former U.S. Army Green Beret, survived a stab wound that night and later became a central suspect. Authorities initially theorized the attack was orchestrated by Russian organized crime due to Safra's withdrawn investments from Russia. Business partner Bill Browder explains how their Hermitage Fund lost $900 million during the 1998 Russian financial crisis. The documentary shows Monaco as a tax haven less than a square mile in size, described as both a secure paradise and a "sunny place for shady people." Investigators revealed the penthouse's CCTV system was not operational on the night of the fire. Ted Maher claims he was coerced by Russian mobsters who kidnapped him and threatened his family to leave a shutter open. He states his Special Forces training "kicked in" when he was attacked in the gym by masked intruders. Prosecutors presented a different theory, alleging Maher staged the fire to be a hero and stabbed himself, securing a signed confession from him. The film questions how such an attack could occur in a residence with reported panic buttons, bulletproof shutters, and a large security team featuring ex-Mossad agents. A memorable moment involves the hosts' starkly different opinions, with one loving the documentary and the other finding it poorly made and frustrating. The episode highlights the bizarre detail of Safra being found dead in a red wingback chair with his nurse at his feet. Patrick Hinds expresses astonishment at Ted Maher's appearance in archival footage, describing him as unbelievably handsome in the late 1990s. The hosts humorously dissect the improbability of a trained Green Beret being so easily manipulated without alerting authorities. They question the logic of Safra's security hiring a nurse through word-of-mouth without a rigorous background check. The tone is conversational, humorous, and full of banter, with the hosts frequently interrupting each other with jokes and personal anecdotes. Their style is informal and engaging, treating the complex case with a mix of skepticism and entertained curiosity. Listeners who enjoy comedic true crime commentary with strong host chemistry will love this episode. Those seeking a straightforward, serious analysis of the case or who are irritated by frequent tangents and ads might prefer to skip it.

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