A Case of Arson
On February 10, 1992, a fire broke out on the first floor of an apartment where Robin Row's estranged husband and two children were living. When the firemen arrived at the burning building they discovered the bodies of Robin's husband Randy Row, 34, and their children Joshua, 10, and Tabitha, 8. All had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
It was determined that the fire had been started in two places on the first floor of the apartment and a liquid had been used to ignite the fires. It was also determined that the circuit switch to the smoke alarm had been flipped to the off position.
The Investigation
Robin Row had been staying with friends because of marital problems, but because of the nature of the fire she became a lead suspect in the police investigation.
When the police searched her car they discovered copies of six life insurance policies taken out on the Row family totaling around $276,000 and naming Robin as the full benefactor. The most recent policy was purchased just 17 days before the fire.
Also during the search it was discovered that Robin had been stealing money from her job at the YMCA. She was arrested, charged with grand theft and put in jail.
The Final Betrayal of Motherhood
On December 16, 1993, Robin was found guilty of the crime of premeditated murder and she was sentenced to death. During her sentencing Judge Alan Schwartzman called her a pathological liar and went on to say, "Robin Row's actions represent the final betrayal of motherhood and embody the ultimate affront to civilized notions of maternal instinct," adding "Maternal 'pedocide' — the killing of one's own children — is the embodiment of the cold-blooded, pitiless slayer — a descent into the blackened heart of darkness."
Currently Robin Row is the only female on death row in Idaho.
A Case of Arson
On February 10, 1992, a fire broke out on the first floor of an apartment where Robin Row's estranged husband and two children were living. When the firemen arrived at the burning building they discovered the bodies of Robin's husband Randy Row, 34, and their children Joshua, 10, and Tabitha, 8. All had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
It was determined that the fire had been started in two places on the first floor of the apartment and a liquid had been used to ignite the fires. It was also determined that the circuit switch to the smoke alarm had been flipped to the off position.
The Investigation
Robin Row had been staying with friends because of marital problems, but because of the nature of the fire she became a lead suspect in the police investigation.
When the police searched her car they discovered copies of six life insurance policies taken out on the Row family totaling around $276,000 and naming Robin as the full benefactor. The most recent policy was purchased just 17 days before the fire.
Also during the search it was discovered that Robin had been stealing money from her job at the YMCA. She was arrested, charged with grand theft and put in jail.
The Final Betrayal of Motherhood
On December 16, 1993, Robin was found guilty of the crime of premeditated murder and she was sentenced to death. During her sentencing Judge Alan Schwartzman called her a pathological liar and went on to say, "Robin Row's actions represent the final betrayal of motherhood and embody the ultimate affront to civilized notions of maternal instinct," adding "Maternal 'pedocide' — the killing of one's own children — is the embodiment of the cold-blooded, pitiless slayer — a descent into the blackened heart of darkness."
Currently Robin Row is the only female on death row in Idaho.
Family Members
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