Thomas Randolph: The Dark History of the "Black Widower"
Aug 10, 2023, 10:00 AM
Las Vegas, NV - Thomas Randolph, notoriously dubbed the "Black Widower" due to the suspicious deaths of four out of his six wives, is once again under the piercing gaze of the legal system. This 65-year-old Nevada resident, previously sentenced to death in 2017, had his conviction reversed. While no longer on death row, Randolph remains in custody as the anticipation for his retrial grows, echoing sentiments from two decades of intertwined love, death, and suspicions.
For many, Randolph's story strikes a chord due to the eerie pattern surrounding his marriages. Four wives met untimely deaths, and life insurance payouts followed two of those tragedies.
In the 2017 trial, prosecutors accused Randolph of orchestrating the death of his sixth wife, Sharon Causse, and a man named Michael James Miller. Allegedly, Randolph paid Miller to murder Causse to claim over $360,000 from a life insurance policy. Randolph consistently rebuts these claims, recounting how he found his wife shot dead by Miller. According to him, he fatally shot Miller in self-defense.
While the jury's skepticism of Randolph's version is clear, their distrust was further fueled by a grim episode from 1986. Randolph's second wife, Becky Gault, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Although acquitted, the court allowed the jury to consider evidence from that case, including a substantial $500,000 life insurance inheritance.
December 9 marked a turning point as the Nevada Supreme Court concluded that the jury should not have been presented with evidence from the 1986 case. Consequently, Randolph's conviction was overturned, paving the way for a new trial.
Reacting with evident glee to the court's decision, Randolph expressed his relief on the "Killer Genes" podcast, stating, "I'm just as happy as can be because as I've told everybody - I didn't do this."
Yet, a closer look at Randolph's marital history unveils a tangled web of relationships marked by death and suspicion:
Kathryn Thomas (Alive): Thomas, his first wife, testified that Randolph threatened her life during their marriage. Despite residing peacefully in Utah, allegations swirled that he once sought a hitman for her assassination.
Becky Gault (Deceased, 1986): While Randolph claims she committed suicide, a witness testified he was approached by Randolph to murder Gault.
Gayna Allmon (Alive): Allmon's testimony against Randolph portrayed him as a looming threat, recounting an instance when a gun discharged while he cleaned it in her presence.
Francis (Deceased, 2004): Francis died under suspicious circumstances. Allegedly, Randolph conspired to murder her in a trailer, a plan that fell through because the would-be accomplice feared Randolph would turn on him. After her death, Randolph immediately cremated her, later receiving settlements from both a hospital and her life insurance policy.
Leona Stapleton (Deceased): Randolph reportedly shared with friends and family that cancer claimed Stapleton's life. The details remain shrouded in mystery.
Sharon Causse (Deceased, 2008): The crux of the upcoming trial. Randolph's account of finding her dead, then shooting the assailant, Michael James Miller, has been met with skepticism, especially given the substantial life insurance payout he received after her death.
Yet, as Randolph revels in the decision, not all share his enthusiasm. Causse's daughter, Colleen Beyer, candidly voiced her frustration, "Everybody needs to know he's guilty... He did it. There is no doubt. I'm really mad, I'm really angry with this system."
Randolph's story is a convoluted tale of love, betrayal, and death, now on the precipice of another trial. With four wives deceased under shadowy circumstances and two insurance payouts, the public and judicial scrutiny will only intensify. The upcoming trial promises new revelations and, perhaps, some semblance of closure for the families affected by Randolph's perplexing marital history.
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For many, Randolph's story strikes a chord due to the eerie pattern surrounding his marriages. Four wives met untimely deaths, and life insurance payouts followed two of those tragedies.
In the 2017 trial, prosecutors accused Randolph of orchestrating the death of his sixth wife, Sharon Causse, and a man named Michael James Miller. Allegedly, Randolph paid Miller to murder Causse to claim over $360,000 from a life insurance policy. Randolph consistently rebuts these claims, recounting how he found his wife shot dead by Miller. According to him, he fatally shot Miller in self-defense.
While the jury's skepticism of Randolph's version is clear, their distrust was further fueled by a grim episode from 1986. Randolph's second wife, Becky Gault, was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Although acquitted, the court allowed the jury to consider evidence from that case, including a substantial $500,000 life insurance inheritance.
December 9 marked a turning point as the Nevada Supreme Court concluded that the jury should not have been presented with evidence from the 1986 case. Consequently, Randolph's conviction was overturned, paving the way for a new trial.
Reacting with evident glee to the court's decision, Randolph expressed his relief on the "Killer Genes" podcast, stating, "I'm just as happy as can be because as I've told everybody - I didn't do this."
Yet, a closer look at Randolph's marital history unveils a tangled web of relationships marked by death and suspicion:
Kathryn Thomas (Alive): Thomas, his first wife, testified that Randolph threatened her life during their marriage. Despite residing peacefully in Utah, allegations swirled that he once sought a hitman for her assassination.
Becky Gault (Deceased, 1986): While Randolph claims she committed suicide, a witness testified he was approached by Randolph to murder Gault.
Gayna Allmon (Alive): Allmon's testimony against Randolph portrayed him as a looming threat, recounting an instance when a gun discharged while he cleaned it in her presence.
Francis (Deceased, 2004): Francis died under suspicious circumstances. Allegedly, Randolph conspired to murder her in a trailer, a plan that fell through because the would-be accomplice feared Randolph would turn on him. After her death, Randolph immediately cremated her, later receiving settlements from both a hospital and her life insurance policy.
Leona Stapleton (Deceased): Randolph reportedly shared with friends and family that cancer claimed Stapleton's life. The details remain shrouded in mystery.
Sharon Causse (Deceased, 2008): The crux of the upcoming trial. Randolph's account of finding her dead, then shooting the assailant, Michael James Miller, has been met with skepticism, especially given the substantial life insurance payout he received after her death.
Yet, as Randolph revels in the decision, not all share his enthusiasm. Causse's daughter, Colleen Beyer, candidly voiced her frustration, "Everybody needs to know he's guilty... He did it. There is no doubt. I'm really mad, I'm really angry with this system."
Randolph's story is a convoluted tale of love, betrayal, and death, now on the precipice of another trial. With four wives deceased under shadowy circumstances and two insurance payouts, the public and judicial scrutiny will only intensify. The upcoming trial promises new revelations and, perhaps, some semblance of closure for the families affected by Randolph's perplexing marital history.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com