Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again – and expecting different results.”

This week Costa Rica’s Justice Department and Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ), announced through press releases and wanted posters that they are once again on the hunt for the American widow of John Felix Bender where they are looking at putting her on trial for the 4th time. They have accused Mrs. Bender of murdering her husband in cold blood, in their marital bed, in the year 2010, at their home in Florida de Baru, southern Costa Rica.

For those who are new to Costa Rica or who have been sleeping under a rock, this case is one of the most provocative murder cases Costa Rica has ever known. John and Ann Bender came to Costa Rica with $600 million dollars, intending to build a nature reserve. They dreamed of discovering new flora and fauna, new tropical medicines, and of resolving their own mental health issues. They both suffered from bipolar disorder. Things did not work out as planned.

John Bender was found with a single bullet wound to the back of his head. He died instantly. Ann was sleeping at his side, and claimed John had brought his gun to bed, and used it to kill himself. He had repeatedly threatened to suicide since they arrived in Costa Rica. The crime scene was total chaos, few efforts were made to preserve evidence. Forensic experts familiar with the case were quoted as saying, “Forensic Fiasco: that’s the only way to describe this case. Granted, forensic science has not progressed as far in Central America as in the US and Europe, but handling of evidence in this case was so unprofessional, it will be virtually impossible to determine what really happened.”

There were three trials trying to make sense of what really did happen to John Bender that fateful night. His widow’s passport was confiscated, barring her from leaving the country. Members of her family came to Costa Rica in support of her, along with news teams from every possible media outlet known to man. Everyone from the ambulance driver to the pet caretaker testified at trial. The results were inconclusive.
Unlike most countries, Costa Rica has no laws against double jeopardy. Ann Bender could be tried dozens of times until the Justice Department gets the desired verdict. They claim they have lost track of her whereabouts, have no record of her having ever left the country. Her friends watched her get on the plane bound for the USA; they are all very sure she has left, and won’t be back.

Ann’s lawyer, Fabio Oconotrillo, is in Europe on vacation this week, but promises a strong response to this new accusation when he returns. Ann’s family was unavailable for comment.

Complete coverage of this saga may be found in back episodes of The Star, 48 Hours, CNN News and CBS News which can be seen here. The Costa Rica Star had a reporter at all three trials for complete coverage. The book “Crazy Jungle Love”, about the tragic love story of the Benders, is available for purchase through The Star, or on Amazon and Kindle.

A parallel case of perhaps of greater interest is the disappearance of the Bender’s attorney, Juan de Dios Alvarez. Much of the Bender fortune disappeared with him. Authorities have also lost track of him (wink), but it is widely known that he is living like a king in Nicaragua. It would be much easier to extradite Alvarez from next door, and subject him to four trials for alleged swindle and larceny. That trial would not be as jazzy and sexy as retrying Bender’s widow, but it might provide some justice at last

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