Netflix's new true crime documentary Murder in Monaco tells the story of billionaire banker Edmond Safra's death.
13:10, 18 Dec 2025
A new documentary titled Murder in Monaco has landed on Netflix, leaving viewers eager to uncover the real story behind Edmond Safra's death.
This gripping true crime documentary unfolds in the opulent country of Monaco, where a billionaire met his untimely end.
The Netflix synopsis reads: "Monaco, 1999. One of the world's richest men dies in his penthouse. This documentary unpacks the mysterious murder of billionaire banker, Edmond Safra."
The film delves into Edmond Safra's life and the puzzling circumstances that led to his murder, reports the Express. But who was genuinely responsible for his death? Let's examine this curious case more closely.
Who killed Edmond Safra?
Billionaire banker Edmond Safra died in his Monaco penthouse in 1999, alongside his carer Vivian Torrente. Coming from considerable wealth, Safra amassed his fortune by establishing prominent banks, including Republic National Bank of New York.
At 67, Safra required round-the-clock home care following a Parkinson's disease diagnosis. Torrente was amongst the nurses tending to him. On the evening of 3 December 1999, Safra and Torrente barricaded themselves inside a reinforced bathroom, convinced armed burglars had infiltrated the residence.
The penthouse was actually ablaze and, upon firefighters reaching the scene, the two refused to unlock the door as they mistook them for criminals trying to force entry. In a shocking turn of events, the duo succumbed to smoke inhalation and what initially seemed like a tragic accident was soon revealed to be the sinister work of another individual - Ted Maher.
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The U.S. Army veteran had been employed by Safra in August that year to serve as both a bodyguard and nurse. On that fateful night, Maher was called in at short notice to cover an overnight shift alongside nurse Torrente.
However, instead of providing care for Safra, Maher hatched a complex scheme to gain recognition from his affluent employer - a plan that tragically resulted in his death. It was Maher who informed Safra and Torrente about armed intruders breaking into the property, urging them to barricade themselves in the fortified bathroom before setting a fire in a wastepaper basket.
In a chilling twist, Maher even inflicted stab wounds on himself to fabricate the illusion of a home invasion, all with the intention of "rescuing" the pair and emerging as a hero. However, he underestimated the speed at which the fire would spread and the amount of blood he would lose.
Ultimately, Maher failed to save Safra and Torrente, as he didn't reach the lobby in time. Days following their demise, he confessed to igniting the fire.
Where is Ted Maher now?
Ted Maher admitted to starting the fire, confessing he believed he would have ample time to "save" his employer and earn accolades. The chief prosecutor of Monaco stated that Maher's plot to "draw attention to himself" was fuelled by "jealousy" towards the other nurses, according to The New York Times.
Meanwhile, CBS News reports that Michael Griffith, a member of Maher's legal defence team, contended: "He did not intend to kill Mr. Safra. He just wanted Mr. Safra to appreciate him more. He loved Mr. Safra. This was the best job of his life."
Maher was detained for over two years before his trial and was found guilty in December 2002. He was convicted for the deaths of Safra and Torrente and received a 10-year prison sentence.
Just two months into his sentence, Maher managed to break free from his cell by sawing through the bars and used a makeshift rope crafted from bin bags to escape through the window. However, he was apprehended within hours after police tracked him down to a hotel in Nice.
After serving his sentence, Maher found himself back behind bars in 2022, this time for burglary, forgery, and fraud. NBC News states that, while in Texas, he allegedly abducted three dogs owned by his ex-wife.
In March 2025, he was found guilty of orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme and was handed another nine-year prison term. Police revealed that he had plotted with a fellow inmate to murder his wife via a fentanyl overdose with the aim of stealing money hidden in her home. It is reported that Maher remains incarcerated somewhere in the US.
Murder in Monaco is currently available for streaming on Netflix.