MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: John Bender
When a 44-year-old millionaire ends up shot and killed in his bed in Costa Rica, authorities are quick to put the blame on his wife. But what unravels next is a much bigger web of lies, injustice, and gems…
For our friends in the Deaf and Signing community, you can view an ASL version of this episode.
Listened to this episode? Let us know what you think here.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide:
Emotional support can be reached by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- 48 Hours: Paradise Lost (season 28, episode 1). Aired September 27, 2014. Accessed August 2, 2024 via YouTube.
- Al DÃa (San José, Costa Rica): A mysterious death in Perez Zeledon by Rodolfo Martin. Published March 14, 2010. Accessed August 5, 2024 via Google Translate.
- Crazy Jungle Love: Murder, Madness, Money and Monkeys (print edition), by Carol Blair Vaughn. 2019. The Costa Rica Star. Accessed August 7, 2024.
- Costa Rica 1949 (rev. 2020)
- La Nacion (San Jose, Argentina): Court acquits woman accused of killing husband by Alejandro Méndez Leiva. Published January 21, 2013. Accessed August 5, 2024 via Google Translate.
- La Nacion (San Jose, Argentina): Woman acquitted of murder of husband due to doubt by Alejandro Méndez Leiva. Published January 22, 2013. Accessed August 5, 2024 via Google Translate.
- La Nacion (San Jose, Argentina): Woman accused of killing her husband will go to trial again by Carlos Arguedas C. Published September 25, 2013. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- La Nacion (San Jose, Argentina): Brother defends woman’s innocence in husband’s death by David Delgado C. Published May 20, 2014. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- La Nacion (San Jose, Argentina): Court of Appeals annuls sentence against woman accused of killing her husband in Pérez Zeledón by Hugo Solano C. Published February 19, 2015. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- La Nacion (San Jose, Argentina): Court frees Ann Maxine Patton after closing case for husband’s murder by Yeryis Salas. Published July 31, 2023. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- La Teja (San José, Costa Rica): Pérez Zeledón court orders arrest of gringa accused of killing millionaire husband by Alejandra Morales. Published January 8, 2020. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- Outside Magazine (Boulder, CO): The Tale of John and Ann Bender and Their Quest for Paradise by Ned Zeman. Published May 7, 2013. Updated November 14, 2021. Accessed August 5, 2024.
- Outside Magazine (Boulder, CO): A Jungle Murder Mystery Heats Up by Jonah Ogles. Published October 3, 2013. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- QCosta Rica (San José, Costa Rica): Guilty! U.S. Expat Convicted of Murdering Her Husband by Rico. Published May 28, 2014. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- QCosta Rica (San José, Costa Rica): Perez Zeledon Court Orders Arrest of Gringa Accused of Killing Millionaire Husband by Rico. Published January 9, 2020. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- Tico Times (Costa Rica): Murder trial against U.S. woman underway by L. Arias. Published January 14, 2013. Accessed August 5, 2024.
- The Tico Times (Costa Rica): High-profile murder retrial underway in Costa Rica for US expat Ann Patton. Published May 19, 2014. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- The Tico Times (Costa Rica): Guilty of murder: Costa Rica court convicts expat Ann Patton of killing husband in 2010. Published May 27, 2014. Updated May 28, 2014. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- The Tico Times (Costa Rica): Costa Rica police rule out foul play in death of Ann Patton’s boyfriend last week. Published November 24, 2014. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- The Tico Times (Costa Rica): US expat Ann Patton faces third murder trial in Costa Rica. Published August 10, 2015. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- The Tico Times (Costa Rica): Ann Patton in new legal battle with Costa Rican government over $7 million in seized gems. Published March 30, 2016. Accessed August 6, 2024.
- Tvsur Pérez Zeledón (Costa Rica): Prosecutors requested 25 years in prison against woman for aggravated homicide. Published January 18, 2013. Accessed August 5, 2024 via Google Translate.
- Tvsur Pérez Zeledón (Costa Rica): Court of Appeals overturns verdict acquitting Anne Maxim Patton. Published September 24, 2013. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- Tvsur Pérez Zeledón (Costa Rica): Ann Maxim Patton was found guilty of the murder of her husband John Bender. Published May 27, 2014. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
- Tvsur Pérez Zeledón (Costa Rica): Patton released by the Court of Appeals, who will have to go to trial for the third time by Carmen Picado. Published February 19, 2015. Accessed August 6, 2024 via Google Translate.
Suggested Episodes
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac
For decades, police said Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac died via suicide by masturbation. But her family always believed there was more to Rowena’s death than met the eye.
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Amanda Wienckowski
When 20-year-old Amanda Wienckowski vanished one night in Buffalo, her mom, Leslie, refused to sit back and wait for answers. She begged police to listen and even parked outside the house where Amanda was last seen — for weeks — hoping her daughter would walk out the front door. What followed would test every ounce of a mother’s strength: a case full of contradictions, silence from the system, and a fight that would stretch on for more than a decade. This is the story of a mother who wouldn’t let the world forget her daughter — no matter how long it takes for justice.
MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Gwen Hasselquist
In March 2020, at the start of the pandemic, the mysterious death of a mother of two is ruled a suicide. But her loved ones believe there’s more to her death than meets the eye. And as soon as we looked into her case, the cracks in the official ruling started to show.
Share The Good With Us
You can learn more about The Good segment and even submit a story of your own by visiting The Good page on our website!
