Who killed Edmond Safra? Inside the real story of Murder in Monico

Netflix’s new documentary Murder in Monaco tells the story of billionaire banker Edmond Safra’s death in 1999.

A fresh documentary titled Murder in Monaco has arrived on Netflix, leaving viewers eager to discover the real story behind Edmond Safra’s killing. The true crime documentary film is set in the opulent and affluent country of Monaco, where a billionaire entrepreneur met his death.

Netflix’s description states: “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 programme explores Edmond Safra’s life and the enigmatic circumstances that led to his killing, reports the Express. However, who was genuinely responsible for his demise? Let’s examine this peculiar case more closely.

Who killed Edmond Safra?

Billionaire financier Edmond Safra perished in his penthouse flat in Monaco, together with his carer Vivian Torrente in 1999. Coming from a prosperous background, Safra accumulated his fortune by establishing significant financial institutions, including the Republic National Bank of New York. At 67 years old, Safra required round-the-clock home assistance following his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Torrente served as one of his carers.

During the evening of December 3, 1999, Safra and Torrente barricaded themselves inside a reinforced bathroom, fearing that armed intruders had entered the building. In truth, the penthouse was consumed by fire and, upon the fire brigade’s arrival, the duo refused to unlock the door as they mistook them for criminals trying to force entry.

Ultimately, both individuals died from smoke inhalation and, whilst initially appearing to be a devastating accident, investigators uncovered that someone else bore responsibility. The additional nurse tending to Safra alongside Torrente was Ted Maher.

Former U.S. Army serviceman Maher had been employed by Safra in August of that year to serve as both a security guard and medical carer. On that particular evening, Maher had been summoned to work an overnight shift at short notice alongside nurse Torrente.

Rather than arriving to provide care for Safra, Maher devised an intricate scheme to gain recognition from his affluent boss – but it eventually resulted in his demise. Maher was the individual who informed Safra and Torrente that armed burglars had entered the property, urging them to barricade themselves in the reinforced bathroom before igniting a fire in a rubbish bin.

Astonishingly, Maher went as far as inflicting wounds upon himself to fabricate the appearance of the break-in, all in order to subsequently “rescue” the duo and emerge as a champion. Nevertheless, he failed to anticipate how rapidly the flames would engulf the area or the extent of blood loss he would endure.

Eventually, Maher arrived too late to rescue Safra and Torrente, as he failed to reach the entrance hall in time. Several days following their deaths, he admitted to igniting the blaze.

Where is Ted Maher now?

Ted Maher gave evidence confirming he had started the fire, acknowledging he believed he would have sufficient time to “rescue” his boss and gain recognition. Monaco’s chief prosecutor stated Maher’s scheme to “draw attention to himself” was motivated by “jealousy” of the other carers, according to The New York Times.

Meanwhile, as reported by CBS News, Michael Griffith, a member of Maher’s legal defence team, argued: “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 prior to his trial and was found guilty in December 2002. He was convicted of causing the deaths of Safra and Torrente and was sentenced to a decade behind bars.

Just two months into his sentence, Maher managed to break free from his cell by sawing through the bars and using a makeshift rope crafted from rubbish bags to descend from the window. However, he was apprehended within hours after police tracked him down to a hotel in Nice.

Upon completing his sentence, Maher found himself back in custody in 2022, this time facing charges of burglary, forgery, and fraud. NBC News reports that, while residing in Texas, he allegedly abducted three dogs owned by his former wife.

In March 2025, he was subsequently found guilty of orchestrating a murder-for-hire scheme and was handed an additional nine-year prison term. Police stated at the time that he had conspired with a fellow inmate to murder his wife via a fentanyl overdose with the aim of stealing money concealed in her residence. It is reported that Maher continues to serve his sentence somewhere in the US.

Murder in Monaco is currently available for streaming on Netflix.