Inside Story: Feb 26

Host Leila McKinnon leads this week’s episode of Inside Story, looking at swindlers prepared to kill for money.

Episode 5: Gold Diggers

They were lonely people looking for love. The perfect targets for the despicable predators you’ll meet tonight; Gold diggers who weaselled their way into the hearts, and bank accounts, of two unsuspecting, vulnerable people. These heartless swindlers wanted it all and, to get it, they were prepared to kill.

Des Campbell managed to keep his marriage to wealthy widow Jane Fisicaro a secret for six months. Then he pushed his wife off a cliff and killed her.

Des never loved Janet. In fact, he was repulsed by her. A disgraced cop and serial philanderer, Campbell charmed women for financial gain and when he met widower Janet Fisicaro, he knew he’d hit pay dirt.

He courted the love struck Janet and married her before getting her to re-write her will, making him a major beneficiary. Then he took Janet on a camping holiday – and pushed her off a remote 54-metre cliff, not far from where they’d pitched their tent.

When interviewed by detectives, Campbell tearfully claimed it was a terrible accident, that she’d tripped – but police soon saw through his sob story. And their suspicions grew.

Campbell didn’t even attend Janet’s funeral. By then, he was off overseas with another woman he passed off as his wife.

In our other story, Melbourne housekeeper Vicky Efandis was a real piece of work. But she could be charming and she used her charm well, worming her way into the lives of trusting people she cheated without hesitation.

When she met successful divorcee George Marcetta, she knew she’d struck gold. Soon the manipulative housekeeper had stolen Marcetta’s heart and taken control of his business. But that wasn’t all she would take.

Thursday February 26 at 8.30pm on Nine.