By the summer of 2013, the Staudte family of Springfield, Missouri, appeared cursed by tragedy. First, Mark Staudte, the family’s father, died suddenly in April 2012. Just five months later, his 26-year-old autistic son, Shaun, was also found dead. Then in June 2013, another crisis struck: daughter Sarah was rushed to the hospital, her body failing, her life hanging in the balance.
At first glance, the family seemed overwhelmed by misfortune. But the truth was far darker. These were not acts of God—they were calculated murders, orchestrated by Diane Staudte, the matriarch, and Rachel Staudte, her daughter.
Murder Hidden in Plain Sight
When Mark, 61, passed away, his death was written off as natural. Diane told authorities he had refused medical attention despite being sick. Due to his medical history, no autopsy was conducted. It was a decision that would haunt investigators later.
Diane’s behavior, though odd, raised no alarms at the time. She showed little emotion at the funeral, then quickly collected Mark’s life insurance payout and moved into a nicer home.
Just months later, Shaun was found dead in his room. Again, Diane claimed he had been ill. His death, like his father’s, wasn’t investigated thoroughly. Diane had just killed two family members—undetected.
The Tip That Changed Everything
It took an outsider to see what others missed. When Sarah, 24, was admitted to the hospital in June 2013 with kidney failure and unexplained brain bleeding, the family’s pastor grew suspicious.
He anonymously tipped off police, suspecting foul play. Investigators visited the hospital and immediately noticed something off. Diane, whose daughter was critically ill, showed little concern. Instead, she chatted casually about an upcoming vacation.
Doctors were baffled by Sarah’s symptoms. Nothing they tested for explained her rapid decline—until the word “poisoning” was raised. Suddenly, everything clicked.
The Confession That Shook Missouri
On June 20, 2013, Diane was brought in for questioning. She denied any involvement at first, but the facade crumbled under pressure.
She admitted to using antifreeze, slipping it into Mark’s sports drinks and mixing it into sodas for Shaun and Sarah. Her motivations were chilling.
“I hated [Mark’s] guts,” she said. Diane claimed he was abusive. Of Shaun, she coldly remarked, “He was more than a pest.” As for Sarah? Her offense was being unemployed and having student loans.
Rachel’s Disturbing Role
Initially, it appeared Diane acted alone. But a journal entry found during the home search painted a more terrifying picture.
Rachel had written:
“It’s sad when I realized how my father will pass on in the next two months… Shaun will move on shortly after…”
Police brought Rachel, then 22, in for questioning. At first, she denied any part in the murders. But eventually, she cracked.
“Mom brought it up, and then we discussed,” Rachel confessed. She helped research antifreeze poisoning and supported the plan. Her only hesitation came with Shaun.
“I still think we could’ve placed him in an assisted living [facility],” she said. But Diane wanted him gone.
Sarah, too, was seen as expendable. “She was equally unneeded,” Rachel said, devoid of emotion.
Even worse, the mother-daughter pair had planned to kill the youngest Staudte child next—an 11-year-old girl.
Where Are They Now?
Miraculously, Sarah survived. Though she suffered permanent brain damage, she now lives in an assisted-living facility. The youngest sibling was placed in foster care, spared only by sheer luck.
In 2016, Rachel Staudte accepted a plea deal and received two life sentences with eligibility for parole after 42.5 years. At sentencing, she turned to Sarah and said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t find the courage to stand up for what was right.”
Diane Staudte pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and one count of assault. Under an Alford plea, she didn’t admit guilt but acknowledged the evidence could convict her. She received three life sentences without the possibility of parole.
A Twisted Tale of Denial
Despite her recorded confession, Diane later backpedaled. In a 2022 interview with 20/20, she claimed her husband was involved with “dangerous people” who must have poisoned him. She refused to accept any blame—even though her own daughter helped expose the truth.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Rod Hoevet explained it best:
“That a mother would kill her own family is already shocking… but that she convinced her daughter to help? That’s nearly unheard of.”
Diane and Rachel were not simply mother and daughter. They became partners in premeditated murder, poisoning their family one drink at a time.
FAQs
Who were the victims in the Staudte family antifreeze murders?
The victims included Mark Staudte (father), Shaun Staudte (son), and Sarah Staudte, who survived but with lasting brain damage.
How were the murders committed?
Antifreeze was used as the poison, mixed into drinks over time, leading to slow organ failure.
Why did Diane and Rachel commit the murders?
Diane viewed her husband and son as burdens and saw Sarah as financially inconvenient. Rachel claimed she followed her mother’s plan.
Did any family members survive?
Yes, Sarah survived but with permanent neurological damage. The youngest daughter, aged 11, was spared and later placed in foster care.
Where are Diane and Rachel now?
Both are serving life sentences in Missouri correctional facilities. Diane will never be eligible for parole; Rachel may be after 42.5 years.
Was there any remorse shown?
Rachel expressed regret at sentencing. Diane has since denied involvement, contradicting her earlier confession.