women who kill
jennifer twist (5/6)

Concluding on Five tonight is the documentary series that delves into the case files of female murderers. This evening’s double bill focuses on the story of Jennifer Twist, convicted of killing an older man; and lethal seductress Cynthia Phillips, who murdered a string of lovers and husbands.

The first part of tonight’s taste of crime begins in the small town of Ocala, Florida, where 15-yearold Jennifer Twist eked out a living in seedy motels. Jennifer was there to take advantage of the older rich men amongst the town’s large retirement community. But her life was to take a turn into infamy when she was picked up by a former navy seaman, Bud Weese.

Weese’s assignation with Jennifer resulted in him being hit over the head with a hammer six times. Jennifer was arrested and accused of murdering Weese for his money. Sent to jail for the crime, Jennifer still protests her innocence.

Tonight’s second instalment recounts the violent and greedy exploits of Cynthia Phillips. The crimes of this attractive, flirtatious woman only came to light after the bullet-ridden body of her boyfriend Tony was discovered on a back road in Corsicana, Texas. Police became suspicious when Cynthia tried to claim a $100,000 insurance policy on Tony’s life within three days of his murder.

The bleached blonde had finally made a serious mistake – one that eventually led to a 24-year prison sentence for homicide in Colorado. Police uncovered a long and sordid history of murdered husbands and boyfriends, burned houses, deals with hitmen, and a fortune amassed in insurance policy money.

Detectives discovered a pattern of mayhem in Cynthia’s wake: first husband Les Konrade was found dead in a Kansas creek; another boyfriend’s house burned down; her second husband had a contract out for his death; and, finally, her boyfriend Tony’s death in Texas. Before long, there were revelations of a shadowy new boyfriend, Bob, who may have done Cynthia’s dirty work for her – that is, if she herself was not the killer.