In the glittering social circles of Dallas, Texas, Sandra Bridewell presented herself as the epitome of elegance and vulnerability. Yet, beneath the surface of this refined exterior lurked a series of mysterious deaths and dubious motives that would ultimately earn her the chilling moniker “The Black Widow.”
In this continuation of our series, we delve deeper into the story, guided by true crime author John Leake, who provides a detailed account from his book, “The Meaning of Malice: On The Trail Of The Black Widow Of Highland Park” during an extended interview with me on the True Crime Reporter® Podcast.
A Whirlwind Romance and Tragic Loss
Sandra’s allure and social maneuvers quickly drew her into a whirlwind romance with Bobby Bridewell, a charismatic hotel developer whose crowning achievement was the luxurious Mansion on Turtle Creek. Leake recounts, “It’s no exaggeration to say Bobby Bridewell was the most popular man in Dallas society. Everybody loved Bobby. He had this infectious humor and lust for life.”
Bobby’s vision transformed the dilapidated Shepherd King Mansion into a premier luxury hotel frequented by Hollywood celebrities and high-profile individuals. His friendship with the son of Caroline Rose Hunt, a Texas oil heir, turned the Mansion into the first luxury property of the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, solidifying its status as a landmark of opulence in Dallas.
However, their marriage was short-lived. Bobby was diagnosed with terminal lymphoma and died in 1982, leaving Sandra as a prominent yet controversial figure in Dallas society. During Bobby’s illness, Sandra developed a close relationship with his oncologist, Dr. John Bagwell, and his wife, Betsy.
The Suspicious Death of Betsy Bagwell
The death of Betsy Bagwell in 1982 marked a turning point in Sandra’s life. Betsy was found shot to death in her car at Love Field Airport with a cheap .22 caliber revolver in her hand. Sandra was the last person to see Betsy alive, and her account of the events raised many questions.
“Betsy was last seen with Sandra in Betsy’s car,” Leake explains. “A few hours later, Betsy is found shot to death in her car parked in the short-term parking lot at Love Field.” The police initially ruled it a suicide, influenced by Sandra’s account that Betsy was despondent and had been curious about the circumstances of Sandra’s first husband’s suicide.
Leake scrutinizes the crime scene photos and questions the official conclusion. “The death scene photos show Betsy did not commit suicide,” he asserts. “There are multiple indications another party was involved.” The revolver was awkwardly braced between Betsy’s thigh and the gear shifter, appearing staged.
The Third Husband’s Mysterious Demise
Sandra’s third marriage to Alan Rehrig, a young man from Edmond, Oklahoma, followed a similar pattern of intrigue and tragedy. Their romance began in 1984, but six months into the marriage, they separated. On the eve of their first wedding anniversary, Alan was found shot to death in his car near the Oklahoma City airport.
“Sandra told Oklahoma City homicide detectives that her estranged husband was hanging around with gambling bookies, and she suspected him of having an addiction to cocaine,” Leake says. Meanwhile, Gloria Rehrig, Alan’s mother, received an anonymous phone call revealing the suspicious deaths of Sandra’s first husband and Betsy Bagwell.
Gloria petitioned the court to stop paying Alan’s life insurance benefits to Sandra and to remove her as the administrator of his estate. Shortly after, Alan’s first cousin, who replaced Sandra as administrator, was found dead in his car, a death ruled a suicide.
Ostracism and Escape
By 1986, Sandra Bridewell found herself ostracized by Dallas society. “There’s this Great Wall of China insulation between what the Dallas Police know and what Highland Park society knows or thinks it knows,” Leake notes. The community was abuzz with suspicions about Sandra’s involvement in the deaths of Betsy Bagwell and Alan Rehrig, yet law enforcement seemed unaware or unable to act on these perceptions.
“Sandra must have had something to do with it,” was the common refrain in Highland Park. Ostracized and under a cloud of suspicion, Sandra abruptly left Dallas in 1986.
Bridewell Flees Scandalous Reputation
The tale of Sandra Bridewell, the enigmatic Black Widow, continues to unfold in ways that are as perplexing as they are sinister. From her manipulation of high society to her alleged involvement in multiple suspicious deaths, her story is a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a charming exterior. In the final part of our series, John Leake follows Bridewell to the West Coast, where she continues her life of deception, entangled in romance scams and identity theft.
Stay tuned for a conclusion you will not want to miss.
FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast
SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter
THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLE Please leave one – it really helps.
TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT that you want to hear more about