17 Times Jealousy Ended in a Tragic Crime
Jealousy has been called the green-eyed monster for good reason—it can transform ordinary people into something unrecognizable. When that toxic emotion takes hold, it doesn’t just poison relationships; it can drive people to commit acts they never imagined possible.
From romantic triangles gone deadly to workplace rivalries that turned violent, jealousy has fueled some of the most shocking crimes in modern history. Here is a list of 17 times jealousy ended in a tragic crime.
The Amy Fisher Case
Teenage Amy Fisher became obsessed with her much older lover Joey Buttafuoco and decided his wife Mary Jo was the only thing standing in their way. In 1992, Fisher showed up at the Buttafuoco home on Long Island and shot Mary Jo in the face, leaving her permanently disabled.
Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander
When Travis Alexander tried to end his tumultuous relationship with Jodi Arias in 2008, her jealousy reached murderous levels. She drove from California to Arizona and brutally killed him in his shower, stabbing him 27 times and shooting him in the head.
The Carolyn Warmus Triangle
Elementary school teacher Carolyn Warmus couldn’t accept that her lover Paul Solomon was staying with his wife Betty. In 1989, she gunned down Betty Solomon in the family’s New York home, earning herself the nickname ‘The Fatal Attraction Killer.’
The Clara Harris Case
Houston dentist Clara Harris discovered her husband David was having an affair with his receptionist and couldn’t handle the betrayal. In 2002, she ran him down repeatedly with her Mercedes in a hotel parking lot while her teenage stepdaughter watched from the passenger seat.
Betty Broderick’s Double Murder
When Dan Broderick left Betty for his younger assistant Linda, Betty’s jealousy consumed her for years through a bitter divorce battle. She finally snapped in 1989, breaking into their home and shooting both Dan and Linda to death in their bed.
The Jean Harris Shooting
Private school headmistress Jean Harris couldn’t cope with losing her longtime lover, cardiologist Herman Tarnower, to a younger woman. In 1980, she drove to his home and shot him dead, claiming it was an accident during a self-harm attempt gone wrong.
Diane Downs’ Deadly Drive
Diane Downs’ lover told her he didn’t want children, so she decided to eliminate the obstacles to their relationship. In 1983, she shot her three young children on a lonely Oregon road, killing one and severely injuring the other two.
The Kristin Rossum Case
Toxicologist Kristin Rossum was having an affair and wanted out of her marriage to Greg de Villers. In 2000, she poisoned her husband with fentanyl and staged the scene to look like self-harm, scattering rose petals around his body.
Susan Smith’s Deception
Susan Smith claimed a carjacker had stolen her car with her two young sons inside, but the truth was far more sinister. Her jealousy over losing her wealthy boyfriend—who didn’t want children—led her to drown her own boys by rolling her car into a lake in 1994.
The Melanie McGuire Case
When nurse Melanie McGuire wanted to leave her husband Bill for her lover, she decided murder was easier than divorce. In 2004, she shot Bill, dismembered his body, and dumped the pieces in the Chesapeake Bay in suitcases.
Jean Claude Romand’s Double Life
For 18 years, Jean Claude Romand pretended to be a successful doctor while actually living off his wife’s family money. When his lies were about to be exposed in 1993, he killed his wife, children, and parents rather than face the shame of his deception.
The Pamela Smart Murder Plot
High school teacher Pamela Smart seduced 15-year-old student Billy Flynn and convinced him to kill her husband Gregg. Her jealousy stemmed from Gregg threatening to expose their affair, so she manipulated the teenager into committing murder in 1990.
Nancy Kissel’s Milkshake Murder
Nancy Kissel discovered her wealthy banker husband Rob was planning to divorce her and take custody of their children. In 2003, she drugged his milkshake and beat him to death with a lead ornament in their Hong Kong apartment.
The Darlie Routier Case
Darlie Routier claimed an intruder killed her two young sons in their Texas home, but evidence suggested she was the killer. Prosecutors argued her jealousy over her husband’s attention to the children and financial stress drove her to murder in 1996.
Mark Hacking’s Pregnancy Lie
When Mark Hacking’s web of lies about medical school was about to unravel, he couldn’t face disappointing his pregnant wife Lori. In 2004, he shot her while she slept, then disposed of her body and claimed she had gone missing during a morning jog.
The Sheila Davalloo Obsession
In 2002, Sheila Davalloo was consumed with jealousy over a co-worker dating the man she secretly loved. She first stabbed her husband in a twisted “game,” then later murdered her romantic rival. Her obsession turned deadly, shocking even veteran detectives.
The Scott Peterson Double Murder
Scott Peterson was living a double life with his girlfriend Amber Frey while his wife Laci was pregnant with their son. On Christmas Eve 2002, he killed both Laci and their unborn child rather than face the consequences of his infidelity and impending fatherhood.
The Poison of Possessiveness
These cases show us that jealousy doesn’t discriminate—it can strike anyone, from respected professionals to trusted teachers. The common thread isn’t social status or education, but the inability to accept rejection, betrayal, or loss of control. While most people experience jealousy at some point, these individuals let it fester until it becomes something monstrous, proving that unchecked emotions can transform love into the deadliest weapon of all.
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