What is the true story behind Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari? Details explored

Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari is a three-part docuseries that premiered on Hulu on July 21, 2025. Hailed as one of summer's most chilling true-crime releases, the docuseries explores the tragedy of Bianca Rudolph, a woman who died due to a gunshot during a safari trip to Zambia with her husband of 30 years.

Directed by the well-known documentarian Dani Sloane, Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari is the first time that Rudolph's story is coming to light, and disentangling the web of lies, infidelity, and deceit that her husband, Larry Rudolph, and his lover weaved behind her back.

Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari: Bianca Rudolph's husband claimed her death was an accident

Bianca Rudolph, a 56-year-old Pittsburgh resident, was a dedicated wife and mother of two. Much like her dentist husband Lawrence 'Larry' Rudolph, she was a hunting enthusiast.

Little did she know that one of her frequent big-game hunting trips would cost her life, because that is exactly what happened during her safari in Zambia.

Bianca and Larry Rudolph went on a hunting trip to Kafue National Park so that Bianca could hunt a leopard.

On October 11, 2016, while the couple was preparing to leave, Bianca became the victim of a fatal shot in the chest from a Browning shotgun in their hunting cabin.

According to Matt Sullivan's Rolling Stone feature Before the Dentist Knows You're Dead, when the alarmed guides rushed in, they found Larry slouching over Bianca's dead body, claiming that she committed suicide.

He said that he was in the bathroom when he heard the gunshot and found his wife bleeding on the floor when he came out.

Initially, the Zambian authorities declared that her death was an "accidental discharge". Suspiciously, Bianca's funeral was rather quick and did not follow any Catholic rites, although she was known to be one.

This raised many questions about the truth behind her death. The federal authorities in the US were unconvinced and decided to investigate the case further.

Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari: Larry Rudolph was not the innocent husband he claimed to be

Upon investigation, the authorities discovered that Larry Rudolph had a long-term affair with dental hygienist Lori Milliron, based on statements from acquaintances and other evidence.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado, Rudolph went as far as filing fraudulent claims on nine life insurance policies from seven companies, which would bring in $4.9 million.

In August 2022, Rudoph was found guilty of foreign murder and mail murder. A year later, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Further, he was mandated to pay $4,877,744 in restitution, a fine of $2 million, and forfeiture of assets that he had obtained after the crime.

Meanwhile, his girlfriend Lori Milliron was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison. She was convicted of being an accessory in Bianca Rudolph's murder, obstruction of justice, and perjury before a grand jury.

Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari features interviews from business associates, employees, and longtime friends of the Rudolphs from Pittsburgh; the safari guide who accompanied the couple on their final trip; the Zambian investigator who initially handled the case; the FBI agents who revived the cold investigation; the legal teams on both sides of the courtroom; and the children of both Larry Rudolph and Lori Milliron.

Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari is available to stream on Hulu.