Gambling addict murdered family for life insurance

A gambling addict receives death sentence after killing her mother, mother-in-law and husband for their life insurance payouts.

Woman murders mother, mother-in-law and husband for their life insurance payouts and ended up with a death sentence

The murderess

A 32-year-old Taiwanese woman by the name of Lin Yu-ju was finally sentenced to death after admitting to murdering her mother, mother-in-law and husband for insurance payouts.

Yahoo News stated that this ruthless woman would be the first female offender to receive a death sentence in Taiwan in 23 years. She is also the second person to be given a death sentence in Taiwan this year.

In for the kill

Lin killed her own mother in November 2008, after she refused to offer her financial assistance to pay off her large sum of gambling debt. Out of spite, Lin pushed her mother down the stairs, killing her instantly. She claimed NT$5.05 million in life insurance thereafter.

Her mother-in-law was killed six months later in May 2009, when Lin added powdered sleeping pills and anti-depressant pills to her intravenous drip on her way to the hospital. She collected NT$7.43 million as life insurance payout.

Lin’s last victim, her husband, was poisoned with the same method two months later, and was finally killed after adding more poison to his intravenous drip in the hospital. Lin then collected NT$4.75 million worth from his death.

Guilty as charged

Lin’s insurance companies reported her case to the police for further investigation after the three suspicious family deaths. They also found her statements inconsistent after interviewing her.

During the trial, Lin’s attorney claimed that she committed the murders because she was mentally unstable and depressed. Furthermore, he claimed that a death sentence was not justifiable since she had a miserable IQ of 57. But it was a much too elaborate murder for a woman with limited mental capabilities.

Lin was initially sentenced to two life sentences for murdering her mother and mother-in-law. With the last murder of her husband, Lin was finally subjected to a death sentence.

What are the signs to determine a gambling addict?

A gambling addict at home

If you are uncertain on how to determine whether a close loved one is a gambling addict, here are some signs you should look out for:

1. A gambling addict

A person who gambles frequently doesn’t necessarily have to have a problem with addiction. Gambling is only a problem if it leads to problems. Problems may include, lack in control, spending exorbitant amounts of money during one session, or being in debt.

2. Suspicious behaviour

If your family member seems guarded and does things discreetly around you, or if they become increasingly defensive about gambling, they are probably hiding their addiction from you and are ashamed about it.

3. Please, give me some more

If a person constantly asks for money, they are most likely in debt from problem gambling. It is definitely a red flag for being a gambling addict when a person needs to gamble even when he or she does not have money left.

How to deal with a problem gambler

If a family member at home is a gambling addict, we suggest 5 helpful tips to help ease their addiction.

1. Do not be an enabler

It is not wise to accept a person’s gambling problems as normative, or see it merely as a hobby. You are giving them the green light to further their “hobby”, and worsen the extent of their gambling addiction.

2. Set boundaries

Do not give a problem gambler any more money. If the family member starts threatening and becoming violent, be firm, call the police or get as much help as possible.

3. Stop adding fuel to fire

You are discouraged to nag, chide, preach, lecture or pressure your family member to stop even more. Gambling problems usually arise from stress. Instead, let your family member know that their addiction has been affecting the family aversely.

4. Counseling

Old habits die hard. Quitting an addiction to gambling is not a straightforward matter. To stop your family member from gambling entirely and more effectively, seek a counsellor. Experts would be able to provide the best therapy for a problem gambler.

5. Call the police

Do not tolerate abuse or threats should a problem gambler turn violent. Call the police immediately.

For more information on problem gambling, refer to Know the line. Listen to what the famous Jeremy Kyle says about gambling addiction

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Written by

Miss Vanda

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