New documentary Murder in Monaco has dropped on Netflix, and fans are anxious to know the true story of Edmond Safra's murder.

The true crime feature doc takes place in the glamorous and wealthy country of Monaco, where a billionaire businessman has been killed.

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 digs into Edmond Safra and the mysterious events surrounding his murder. But who was really to blame for his death? Let's take a closer look at the peculiar case.

Billionaire banker Edmond Safra died in his penthouse apartment in Monaco, alongside his nurse Vivian Torrente in 1999. Born into an already-wealthy family, Safra made his billions through founding major banks, including the Republic National Bank of New York.

By the age of 67, Safra was in need of constant at-home care after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Torrente was one of the nurses who cared for him.

On the night of December 3, 1999, Safra and Torrente locked themselves in a fortified bathroom for fear armed intruders had made their way into the property. In reality, the penthouse was engulfed in flames and, when firefighters arrived at the scene, the pair refused to open the door as they believed they were criminals attempting to break in.

In the end, the pair died from smoke inhalation and, while at first this appeared to be a tragic accident, investigators discovered someone else was to blame. The other nurse caring for Safra besides Torrente was Ted Maher.

U.S. Army veteran Maher had been hired by Safra in August of that year to act as both a bodyguard and nurse. That evening, Maher has been called in to cover an overnight shift at the last minute beside nurse Torrente.

Instead of coming to care for Safra, Maher concocted an elaborate plan to earn praise from his wealthy employer - but it ultimately led to his death. Maher was the one to tell Safra and Torrente that armed intruders had broken in, encouraging them to lock themselves in the fortified bathroom before starting a fire in a wastepaper basket.

Shockingly, Maher went to far as to stab himself to create the illusion of the home invasion, all so he could then "rescue" the pair and become a hero. However, he did not realise how fast the fire would spread or how much blood he would lose.

In the end, Maher was too late to save Safra and Torrente, as he didn't make it to the lobby in time. Days after their deaths, he confessed to starting the fire.

Ted Maher testified to having started the fire, admitting he thought he would have enough time to "save" his employer and earn credit. Monaco's chief prosecutor said Maher's plot to "draw attention to himself" was sparked by "jealousy" of the other nurses, reports The New York Times.

Meanwhile, according to CBS News, Michael Griffith on Maher's legal defense 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 held for over two years ahead of his trial before being found guilty in December 2002. He was convicted of Safra and Torrente's deaths and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Just two months later, Maher managed to escape his cell by sawing through the bars, using a rope made of garbage bags to climb out of the window. However, he was recaptured within hours after police located him in a hotel in Nice.

After serving his time, Maher was arrested again in 2022 for burglary, forgery, and fraud. NBC News reports that, while he was in Texas, he allegedly kidnapped three dogs belonging to his ex-wife.

In March 2025, he was then found guilty of a murder-for-hire plot and sentenced to another nine years in prison. Police said at the time that he had conspired with a prison inmate to kill his wife via a fentanyl overdose in order to steal the money hidden in her home. Maher reportedly remains imprisoned somewhere in the US.

Murder in Monaco is streaming now on Netflix.