Del Rio News Herald from Del Rio, Texas • Page 9

FEATURES Del Rio News-Herald Thursday, April 3, 1997 JL JD 'Unsolved Mysteries' to air Black Widow story Friday, NBC, 8 p.m. EST (EDITOR'S NOTE: The following story has been sent to area newspapers for publication in the hopes someone might recognize the person profiled and report it.) Special to the News-Herald Guadalajara, Mexico is a retirement haven for many Americans. But some say it is also a place of treachery, deceit and possibly, murder. Since 1970, eight men and one woman have died there under suspicious circumstances. The deceased all shared one thing in common.

They had an intimate relationship with Maria Socorro de Rodriguez LaPlne, also known as "The Black Widow." The trail of death that seems to follow Socorro De Rodriguez LaPlne is impossible to ignore: Three husbands, two lovers, two friends, a business associate, and a funeral director. It began with Socorro's first husband, Douglas LaPlne. A retired military officer. LaPlne died after an alleged fall in their house. Socorro's second husband.

Thomas Brtckson, a retired businessman, died of an apparent stroke less than a year after their marriage and six months after he had allegedly been attacked by intruders. Then, in December of 1988. James Piper, another American businessman, met the so-called "Black Widow." He had responded to an ad for a rental house, just outside of Guadalajara. After a whirlwind romance, James and Socorro were married within four months, vowing to love each Gaither Timothy J. Gaither has been promoted in the U.S.

Air Force to the rank of major. Gaither is a flight commander assigned to the 87th Flying Training Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base. He is the son of James D. and Karen J. Gaither of Nedcrland.

His wife, Helen, is the daughter of William B. and Patricia A. Gibson of Del Rio. The rriajdr received a bachelor's degree in 1985 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, and a master's degree in 1995 from Embry-Riddle Aeronatical University at Universal City, Texas.

HISTORY By The Associated Press Today is Thursday, April 3, the 93rd day of 1997. There are 272 days left in the year. Today's Highlight: On April 3, 1860, the legendary Pony Express began service between St. Joseph, and Sacramento, Calif. (It lasted only 1 years before giving way to the transcontinental telegraph.) On this date: In 1776.

George Washington received an honorary doctor of law degree from Harvard College. In 1865. Union forces occupied the Confederate capital of Richmond, Va. In 1882, outlaw Jesse James was shot to death in St. by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang.

In 1936, Bruno Hauptmann was electrocuted in Trenton, N.J., for the kidnap-murder of the Lindbergh infant. In 1946, Lt. General Masaharu Homma', the Japanese commander responsible for the Bataan Death March, was executed outside Manila in the Philippines. In 1948, President Truman signed the Marshall Plan, which allocated more than $5 billion in aid for 16 European countries. In 1968, North Vietnam agreed to meet with U.S.

representatives to set up preliminary peace talks. In 1979. Jane M. Byrne was elected mayor of Chicago, defeating Republican Wallace D. Johnson.

In 1985, the landmark Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood closed after 56 years In business. Ten years ago: Stock prices rocketed on Wall Street as the Dow Jones industrial average soared 69.89 points, ending the day at a record 2,390.34. Five years ago: President Bush, speaking In Philadelphia, said members of Congress should shorten their annual sessions and retire after 12 years, calling for changes in "a failed status Democratic leaders accused Bush of "soapegoatlng." One year ago: Suspected Unabomber. Theodore KaczynsJd was arrested. Former Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes, the first black elected mayor of a major U.S.

city, died at age 68. other until they were parted by death. For James Piper, death wasn't long in coming. On Sept. 18, 1989, six months after the wedding, James took his new wife out for breakfast.

Socorro later told Piper's children that when James hadn't returned from the rest room she sent a busboy to check on him. There, James Piper was found keeled over on the floor. James Piper had apparently suffered a heart attack. He died in a hospital the next day, with Socorro at his side. It was the first of several surprises for the Piper family.

After his cremation, Socorro invited James Piper's five children from his previous two marriages to attend a memorial service in Mexico. But according to family members, the service.was bizarre and Socorro's behavior extremely odd. According to Piper's children, throughout the weekend Socorro tried to pit them against each other. They now believe it was a naked grab for James Piper's possessions. His main assets consisted of two antique Ferraris worth an estimated $2 million.

Both cars have since disappeared. Piper's children never received a dime from his estate. After the death of James Piper, Socorro assumed a low profile. In August of 1993, her half sister died. Socorro was the beneficiary of her life insurance policy and would eventually collect $100,000.

A few months later Socorro resurfaced in the company of another wealthy American, Victor LaPine. Though they were not related, Victor shared the same last name as Soconro's first husband. Victor was a rancher from Montana, who usually wintered in Guadalajara. Most years, Victor returned home by early spring. In June of 1994, Victor's sister, Eva received a stunning phone call from one of Victor's neighbors.

Victor was dead. Then Socorro took control of the situation and told Eva what had to be done. She also spelled out the events leading up to Victor's death. The story was familiar. Victor became sick in a restaurant.

He was transported home in an ambulance. He died later that day, Socorro de Rodriguez LaPine at his side. After Victor died, Socorro produced what she claimed was his last Will and Testament. Like James Piper, Victor asked to be cremated. Socorro also produced a suspi- cious.looking IOU for $100,000, the approximate value of Victor's house in Guadalajara.

At the insistence of Victor's family, an investigation was launched by Mexican authorities. Then, in March of 1995 came a truly surprising turn of events. Socorro, herself, reportedly passed away. At the time she was covered by a life insurance policy, payable to her mother and her three children. The insurance company hired a private detective, Mario Mello Santiago, to verify the facts of Socorro's death.

It was a routine investigation until Santiago took a closer look at Socorro's past and concluded that Socorro was still alive. In January of 1996, a judge ordered Socorro's body to be exhumed. IN-SKRVICE Temples Army Pvt. William J. Temples has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Radcliff, Ky.

The training combines basic military training and advanced individual training. The first eight weeks of initial entry training (IET) include drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, first aid, and Army history and traditions. During the final seven weeks, soldiers receive AIT as cavalry scouts. The training includes subjects and instructions to operate, maintain and fire Bradley fighting vehicles, call and adjust fire on enemy targets, recognize friendly and threat vehicles, conduct reconnaissance and security missions, perform foot patrols, conduct land navigation, locate and neutralize mines, and operate and maintain scout vehicles. Temples is the son of William M.

and Melba F. Temples of Laughlin Air Force Base. He is a 1996 graduate of Del Rio High School. Arenas Marine Lance Cpl. RogeSio Arenas, son of Rogelio and Guadalupe When her coffin was opened, it contained nothing more than pieces of wood, the remnants of flowers, and some old clothes.

Forensics later determined that the coffin had never held a body. Suspicions aroused, the authorities then opened the grave of Socorro's half sister. Again, the casket was empty. Further investigation revealed evidence that Socorro never had a half sister. Incredibly, it appeared that Socorro had faked her own death twice, once In the form of a nonexistent sibling.

Subsequently, a few days before authorities were scheduled to question the funeral director who had arranged both burials, he was found strangled in his apartment. At this point, Maria Socorro de Rodriguez LaPlne is only wanted for fraud. The charge stems from the $100,000 she collected after allegedly fabricating her half sister's death. She is believed to be hiding out with her 75-year-old mother, as well as her three grown children from her first marriage, Lena May, David and Douglas LaPine. They too have been charged with fraud.

The family may be living in the San Antonio area. Maria Socorro de Rodriguez LaPine (Hispanic female) is 55: she was born 15, 1939: she is fluent in Spanish, French and speaks English without an accent. Contact J.r. MacDonald, FBI. Arcade Building, Suite 38.

111 N. Last Chance Gulch. Helena, 59601 or call 801579-1400. Arenas of Del Rio, recently was promoted to his present rank and reported for duty with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif. The 1996 graduate of Del Rio High School joined the Marine Corps in June 1996.

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