A Canadian woman who won a multi-million-dollar lottery and shared her winnings with family was killed by her husband, who injected her with painkillers after learning she had given away large sums. Ibi Roncaioli, 54, won $7.4 million in a lottery draw with a friend, splitting the prize and keeping about $5 million.
Fatal generosity
Ibi chose to spend her winnings on her family, a decision that ultimately cost her life. She kept most of her investments hidden from her husband, gynaecologist Dr Joseph Roncaioli. She did not tell him she had given roughly $590,000 to a son they shared, a similar sum to a son from a different father who lived with them, and £1.4 million to a third son whose existence was a secret from everyone else.
When Joseph discovered the truth about the missing money, a bitter dispute followed, fuelled by jealousy and hurt. He poisoned Ibi by injecting her with painkillers, resulting in her death.
Court proceedings
In court, the prosecutor accused Joseph of drinking and acting erratically on the day of the fatal injection and of failing to summon assistance for her. Instead of calling police or seeking help, he rang his bookkeeper and a real estate agent. Prosecutors said he was furious that Ibi had spent money recklessly, neglecting to save for the couple's retirement.
His legal team argued that Ibi battled drug and alcohol dependency, which would have constituted an "intervening cause" of her death. A post-mortem examination found needle marks covering her legs and feet, along with six ounces of alcohol in her bloodstream. It also emerged that Ibi led a predominantly private life, and the couple lived separate lives within the same home, with Ibi spending much of her time playing slot machines.
Verdict and sentencing
Joseph was found guilty of manslaughter in 2008. During sentencing, Justice Ferguson told the court the offence "more resembles murder than an accidental killing," stating: "It was intentional, not spontaneous."
