Paul Curry’s Criminal Past Unveiled: A Twisted Tale of Deceit and Murder
A former Jeopardy! champion found guilty of a heinous crime has been serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife, a dark chapter that unfolded two decades after his triumphant appearance on the popular game show.
Paul Curry, who clinched an impressive $24,101 prize during his notable three-episode stint on Jeopardy! back in 1989, took a sinister turn just five years later when his wife met a tragic fate.
Curry’s wife, Linda Kinkade, met her untimely demise in 1992, a mere three years post his Jeopardy! appearance. However, what followed was a series of events shrouded in mystery and suspicion.
The aftermath of Paul Curry’s appearance on Jeopardy! in 1989. (ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT)
Soon after, Curry began exerting pressure on Kinkade to transfer all financial assets, including the mortgage and life insurance, into his name, raising red flags among their acquaintances.
Growing Concerns and Suspicion Surrounding Curry
Kinkade’s close friend, Merry Seabold, recounted a pivotal conversation on Oxygen’s true crime series, Charmed To Death, where Kinkade expressed unease about Curry’s insistence on consolidating their finances under his name.
Seabold revealed that Kinkade confided in her about Curry’s push to secure a substantial $1 million life insurance policy on her behalf, marking the beginning of Curry’s elaborate scheme.
Further revelations about Curry’s undisclosed child and previous marriages added fuel to the fire, prompting Curry to orchestrate a cruise in an attempt to mend the strained relationship.
However, the cruise took a grim turn when passengers contracted the Hantavirus, a deadly virus transmitted primarily by rodents, as Kinkade fell seriously ill, eventually passing the illness to Curry.
Health Decline and Startling Discoveries
As Kinkade’s health deteriorated, suspicions heightened, culminating in a distressing revelation during her hospitalization on New Year’s Eve.
Seabold and her husband stumbled upon incriminating evidence at Curry’s residence, uncovering detailed records of Kinkade’s finances and life insurance, shedding light on Curry’s malevolent intentions.
A critical turning point occurred when a nurse detected a needle puncture in Kinkade’s IV tubing, implicating Curry in a sinister act of sabotage.
Unraveling the Cold Case
In a shocking turn of events, Curry, under the guise of seeking help, penned a letter to Seabold in June 1994, only for Kinkade to meet a tragic demise the following day, paving the way for Curry to claim the life insurance payout and Kinkade’s 401K.
It wasn’t until September 2014 that Curry faced justice, convicted of insurance fraud and first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances.
Justice Served: Curry’s Downfall
Sergeant Yvonne Shull’s relentless pursuit of justice breathed new life into the case, unearthing startling revelations from Curry’s previous marriages and a chilling discovery in Kinkade’s toxicology report.
The report revealed an alarming level of nicotine in Kinkade’s system, despite her being a non-smoker, indicating foul play orchestrated by Curry, who allegedly poisoned her over an extended period.
Authorities concluded that Kinkade succumbed to nicotine poisoning, with Curry’s calculated actions sealing his fate behind bars, serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.