Episode 11: The Benson Car Bombing Part 1

We're back after a very long hiatus with a new co-host and a new horrific case. In July 1985, a widowed tobacco heiress and her three children were preparing to leave for an errand when their Chevrolet Suburban exploded in their driveway, killing Margaret Benson and her son, Scott and severely injuring her daughter, Carol Lynn. Unraveling this case exposes the soft white underbelly of a wealthy yet dysfunctional family including dark family secrets, decades of manipulation, and a cancerous greed. But who could hate the Bensons enough to want the entire family dead? 

 

Sources: 

Mewshaw, M. (2001). Money to Burn, The True Story of the Benson Family Murders. Touchstone

Greenya, J. (1987). Blood Relations, The Exclusive Inside Story of the Benson Family Murders. Harcourt Brace Jovanovitch; Blook Club Edition

State of Florida vs. Steven Wayne Benson Case Number 85778CFA31HDH court records from Collier County Circuit Court in Collier County, FL.

Stauffer, C., (1987, July 23, updated 1987, July 27). The Bensons: Lancaster family ripped apart by greed and murder 30 years ago. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-bensons-lancaster-family-ripped-apart-by-greed-and-murder-30-years-ago/article_f83a6526-312e-11e5-833e-479fc52b5ae4.html

Bovsun, M., (2022, July 2). Justince Story: Greed leeds to tobacco heiress fiery death. https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/07/02/justice-story-greed-leads-to-tobacco-heiresss-fiery-death/

Stauffer, C., (2015, July 27, updated 2015, July 28). Anger and lonliness: Steven Benson's life in prison after he killed his family members. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/danger-and-loneliness-steven-bensons-life-in-prison-after-he-killed-his-family-members/article_4a499c3c-31fd-11e5-834c-674601e629e0.html

Batten, B., (2016, April 1). Medical Examiner says Benson was stabbed to death in prison. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2016/04/01/medical-examiner-says-benson-was-stabbed-to-death-in-prison/85873180/

Greenya, J., (1986, August 8). Benson Found Guilty of Murder.  The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/08/benson-found-guilty/4d1327bc-9329-48a1-88b4-80b4614adfe2/

Hardy, J., (1986, July 28). Benson murder trial is soap opera material. UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/07/28/Benson-murder-trial-is-soap-opera-material/4992522907200/

Myers, B., (2023, Feb 23). Steven Benson's Motivation for Blowing Up His Mother, Tobacco Heiress Margaret Benson. Grunge. https://www.grunge.com/1208374/steven-bensons-motivation-for-blowing-up-his-mother-tobacco-heiress-margaret-benson/

Florida Man Murders, Season 1, Episode 3 on Oxygen. https://www.oxygen.com/florida-man-murders/season-1/episode-3/videos/investigators-recall-benson-family-murders-crime

Greenya, J., (1986, Aug 6). In Florida murder most malevolent. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/08/07/in-florida-murder-most-malevolent/3c1c9fb0-560b-4b40-8185-fc701724d936/

Saunders, S., (2020). Reason First: American Car Bomb - The Steven Benson Murders. Criminal. https://vocal.media/criminal/reason-first-american-car-bomb-the-steven-benson-murders

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District., (1989, Sept. 1). In re Estate of Benson. Casetext. https://casetext.com/case/in-re-estate-of-benson

Burchett, C., (2018, Oct. 20). State's misstep triggers mistrial. Perry News-Herald. https://medium.com/@cait.burchett/so-there-is-no-way-to-prove-you-did-not-do-it-correct-2b01be15e9c6

Crimebox., (2022, Jun 7). The Murder of Margaret Benson [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2Eebt9XTkU

Stauffer, C., (2015, Jul 17). Man who blew up his tobacco heiress mother and brother dies in Florida prison. Lancaster Online. https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/man-who-blew-up-his-tobacco-heiress-mother-and-brother-dies-in-florida-prison/article_7070299a-2bd0-11e5-b3a0-eb16fc0eb50a.html

Nordheimer, J., (1986, Aug 7). Florida Murder Trial that Bared Secrets of the Rich Nears End. NY Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/07/us/florida-murder-trial-that-bared-secrets-of-the-rich-nears-end.html

Hardy, J. (1986, Jul 24). Tobacco heiress Margaret Benson had 'heated discussions' with her... . UPI Archives. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/07/24/Tobacco-heiress-Margaret-Benson-had-heated-discussions-with-her/1629522561600/

(1986, Aug 18). All in the Family. Time. https://time.com/archive/6706871/all-in-the-family-8/

(1985, Jul. 11). Murder of 'Quiet' Heiress, son stuns exclusive area. Sun Sentinel. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1985/07/11/murder-of-quiet-heiress-son-stuns-exclusive-area/

Nordheimer, J., (1985, July 15). Florida Resort Shocked over Car-Bomb Slayings. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1985/07/15/us/florida-resort-shocked-over-car-bomb-slayings.html

Cottrill, C., (2016, Aug 3), 30 years ago: Sensational Benson murder trial garnered headlines. Naples Daily News. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/local/communities/the-banner/2016/08/03/30-years-ago-sensational-benson-murder-trial-garnered-headlines/87953310/

Bearak, B., (1986, Jun 30)., Tobacco Heir Charged in Bombing Deaths of Relatives., Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-30-mn-19-story.html

United Press International., (1986, Aug 5). Defense Rests in Benson Murder Case After Golfer Testifies. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-05-mn-1395-story.html

Contributed Content., (1988, Apr 13)., Chidren of Mother-Killer Inherit Heiress' Estate. Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/04/13/children-of-mother-killer-inherit-heiress-estate/

(1987, May 29). Woman Loses Child's Claim to Benson Estate. Orlando Sentinel. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1987/05/29/woman-loses-childs-claim-to-benson-estate/

TFIGlobal News Desk., (2021, Dec 14). Carol Lynn Benson sent her brother to justice. TFIGlobal News. https://tfiglobalnews.com/2021/12/14/carol-lynn-benson-sent-her-brother-to-justice/

Superior Court of Pennsylvania., (1992, Nov 6) In re Benson, Casetext. https://casetext.com/case/in-re-benson-30