Introducing Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise

About this episode

The episode introduces the story of John and Ann Bender, their luxurious life in Costa Rica, and the mysterious events leading to a violent end.

John and Ann Bender had hundreds of millions of dollars and one dream: to build a glittering glass mansion deep in the Costa Rican jungle. But paradise soon gave way to paranoia — with abduction plots, armed guards and a bedroom blazing with hundreds of Tiffany lamps. And then one night, it all ended in blood. Hosted by award-winning journalist Becky Milligan, Hell in Heaven is an eight-part limited series from Blanchard House, Exactly Right Media and iHeart Podcasts. Premieres Thursday, October 9. Follow Hell in Heaven wherever you get your podcasts — and see rare photos from the story at @exactlyright on Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Becky Milligan

Topics covered

• mysterious death
• true crime
• luxury lifestyle
• paranoia
• abduction plots
• mansion
• Costa Rica

Keywords

• mysterious death
• Costa Rica
• true crime
• luxury mansion
• Becky Milligan
• abduction
• paranoia

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Exactly Right Media, iHeart Podcasts

Places: Costa Rican, Costa Rican jungle

More episodes of Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise

• Introducing Two-Faced: John of God · January 28, 2026 · 3 min
• 8: At Last · November 20, 2025 · 45 min
• 7: A Second Chance · November 13, 2025 · 35 min
• 6: The Folly of Two · November 6, 2025 · 33 min
• 5: The Night Of · October 30, 2025 · 35 min
• 4: A Beautiful Mind · October 23, 2025 · 41 min