DENVER – A wealthy dentist, Larry Rudolph, who was convicted of murdering his wife during an African safari in Zambia, is expected to receive a life sentence in prison. This gruesome crime, prosecutors argue, represents the culmination of a life characterized by a relentless pursuit of domination and control through wealth and power.
In a Denver federal court hearing, U.S. government prosecutors will not only seek a life sentence for Rudolph but also attempt to secure approximately US$25 million in restitution, seized property, and fines. Larry Rudolph was previously found guilty in federal court of mail fraud for cashing in nearly US$5 million in insurance policies following his wife, Bianca Rudolph’s, death.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Larry Rudolph has consistently maintained that his wife’s death in southern Africa in 2016 was an accident. His legal team plans to appeal the conviction.
Prosecutors allege that Larry Rudolph, who owned a dental franchise in the Pittsburgh area, fatally shot his wife of 34 years in the heart with a shotgun on the morning of her departure from Zambia. He then placed the weapon in its soft case to make it appear as though she had accidentally shot herself while packing. The couple had been hunting game during their trip.
Prosecutors also argue that the remote location of the incident, approximately 80 miles from the nearest police station, was chosen strategically to minimize the chances of detection. Following the murder, Larry Rudolph hurriedly had his wife cremated and allegedly intimidated officials involved in investigating her death.
The prosecution contends that Rudolph’s motive for the murder was to enjoy a lavish retirement with his longtime girlfriend, Lori Milliron, financed by the insurance money. Lori Milliron was sentenced to 17 years in prison in June for her role as an accessory to the crime. She has since filed an appeal.
In a court filing outlining their sentencing proposal, prosecutors asserted, “The murder was the culmination of a lifetime spent seeking domination and control over others through wealth and power.”
Larry Rudolph may face additional prison time for mail fraud and must pay a nearly US$10 million fine, forfeit millions in assets, and reimburse the insurance companies, according to the prosecutors’ request.
It remains uncertain whether any family members or friends of Bianca Rudolph will confront Larry Rudolph during the hearing.
The couple’s two adult children, Julian and AnaBianca Rudolph, have chosen not to publicly discuss their mother’s death extensively. Nevertheless, AnaBianca testified against Lori Milliron during her sentencing. They are currently fighting for a portion of the financial penalties that the government is seeking against their father, arguing that they, not the insurance companies, are the victims of the insurance fraud.
While investigators in Zambia and the insurers initially concluded that Bianca Rudolph’s death was accidental, Larry Rudolph was arrested nearly five years after the incident, following an FBI investigation that spanned the globe to collect evidence and interview witnesses.
One significant piece of evidence came from a bartender at a steakhouse in Phoenix, where Lori Milliron relocated to be with Rudolph after Bianca’s death. The bartender testified that he overheard Larry Rudolph saying, “I killed my f—g wife for you!” during an argument in early 2020. However, Rudolph contended that he actually said, “Now they’re saying I killed my f—g wife for you!” after learning of the FBI’s investigation.
Prosecutors also alleged that Rudolph accumulated his wealth through fraudulent means. They claimed that he intentionally shot off his thumb during a previous trip to Zambia to claim millions in disability insurance money. Furthermore, they alleged that he defrauded his dental patients by creating the need for root canals by neglecting to perform fillings or drilling holes in their teeth while they were sedated.
The government’s request for fines amounts to twice the total of the life insurance policies and insurance for the jewelry that Bianca Rudolph wore when she was killed. Although officials in Zambia stated that they gave the jewelry to Rudolph, he reported it as lost. His defense maintains that the government never charged Rudolph for this and did not substantiate the allegation.
The prosecutors are seeking US$4.9 million in restitution to the insurance companies, forfeiture of US$4.8 million from bank accounts, as well as the seizure of real estate in Arizona and Pennsylvania and two luxury vehicles—an Aston Martin DB-11 and a Bentley Bentayga.
Larry Rudolph’s legal team argues that the combined penalties exceed US$25 million and that he cannot afford them. They claim that he no longer controls his dwindling dental practice, has significant debts, and is unlikely to earn substantial income in the future. Currently, his two adult children manage his finances.
“The truth is that such a fine would serve only to punish and bankrupt the Rudolph children, not Rudolph himself,” his lawyers contend.
Although the government estimates Larry Rudolph’s worth at US$15 million, a defense expert testified during the trial that his net worth is now less than US$10 million.
Prosecutors counter that, even after paying restitution, the fine, and relinquishing property, Rudolph would still possess millions of dollars. They argue that Rudolph previously claimed to be worth US$27 million before his trial and asserted that he did not need the life insurance money he received after his wife’s death to prove his innocence.
Prosecutors conclude, “The adult children are not being punished, nor are they entitled to unjust enrichment from their father’s criminal scheme.”