murder of a lover theme

A character murders someone with whom they have, or have recently had, a romantic relationship.

Notes

If the romantic relationship has ceased and the murder has nothing to do with it, then this theme is not used. If the romantic relationship has ceased, but the murder is notably connected to it (for example motivated by romantic jealousy or resentment), then this theme is used.

26 total · 8 choice · 10 major · 8 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
columbo1971e10x03 choice Hugh murdered Marcy, who saw herself as his wife on account of having lived with him for many years, even though they were not actually married.
columbo1971e10x07 choice Lauren Staton and her daughter, Lisa Martin, conspired together to murder their mutual lover Nick Franco in part to avenge his abusive, two-timing ways.
columbo1971e2x01 choice The orchestra conductor Alex Benedict murdered his mistress to stop her from going public about their affair and made it look as if she'd committed suicide.
columbo1971e7x03 choice The plot turns on Kay Freestone knocking off her boss and former lover, Mark, after he failed to choose her to succeed him in his high-profile position at the television network.
columbo1971e8x03 choice The plot turned on the sex therapist Dr. Joan Allenby executing an elaborate plan to murder her lover and business partner, David Kincaid, after chancing upon him in flagrante delicto with her assistant.
columbo1971e9x02 choice Sean Brantley came up with an unusually elaborate plot to murder his business partner and lover Dian Hunter.
columbo1971e9x06 choice The villain of the story Wayne Jennings shot his fiancée dead in cold blood to collect on a bequest.
tftc1989e5x13 choice The story culminated with Johnny execution style murdering his lover, Lucy, in an act of self-preservation.
ahh1x05 major The author was about to murder his faithless lover's husband, but was talked out of it and decided to murder his love interest, Janet, instead.
ahh1x27 major Ruth bashed Luis' head in in a jealous rage, and then left Dominic for dead in a wine cask to cover it up.