Story Published:
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:17 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jul 12, 2008 at 12:47 AM EDT
NBCAugusta is learning more about the Augusta woman being investigated in the deaths of four of her five husbands. Richmond County investigators seized 21 items as evidence from Betty Neumar's home. They tell NBC Augusta some of the evidence could help them decide if she had anything to do with the death of her most recent husband John Neumar.
Many call Neumar the black widow. She's charged with solicitation of murder in the 1986 shooting death of her fourth husband, Harold Gentry. The couple lived in the Charlotte area at the time.
Now authorities in Florida, Georgia, and Ohio have reopened investigations into the deaths of three more of her five husbands. John Neumar died in an Augusta VA hospital in October from what doctors said was a blood infection.
NBCAugusta was there as Richmond County deputies searched Betty and John Neumar's home in May. Among the items taken, the cremated remains of John Neumar.
The affidavit for a search warrant shows 20 other items were taken from the Neumar home.
1) four empty medicine bottles marked “John Neumar”
2) one clear medical tubing
3) misc. latex gloves
4) six toothbrushes
5) filter mask
6) four misc. journals and date books
7) misc. insurance papers for John Neumar
8) 32 oz. bottle of Roundup
9) two bags of Miracid Soil Acidifier
10) green spray bottle with unknown liquid
11) cardboard cylinder with unknown metal powder
12) opened bag of Rat Bait Poison
13) Almost empty bag of Hydrogen Peroxide
14) Empty five pound glass bottle labeled Carbon Tetrachloride
15) 32 oz. can of Mineral Spirits Paint Thinner
16) M-1 remover
17) Aspirin
18) Gerber Baby jar with unknown brown contents
19) Empty 16oz. Clorox bottle
20) Blue plastic tote containing Misc. Military paperwork and photos
21) Cremated Remains of John Neumar
Some items that investigators say stood out to them: an open bag of Rat Bait Poison. Richmond County deputies tell NBC Augusta the rat poison contains arsenic and it can be deadly. Investigators also confiscated an empty five pound glass bottle labeled Carbon Tetrachloride. It's a chemical found in fire extinguishers. The chemical was banned from the U.S. in the 1970s when scientists discovered exposure to it could lead to a coma or even death.
It's evidence that may not mean anything, but investigators say it could answer some questions once testing of John Neumar's remains is finished.
Police in Ohio are considering whether or not they'll investigate the death of Betty Neumar's first-born son.
Gary Flynn was found shot to death in his apartment back in 1985. At the time, his death was ruled a suicide. Flynn's wife and stepson have asked authorities to take another look at the case.
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