 With investigatory focus turned to Stella Nickell , detectives uncovered more circumstantial evidence pointing to her as the culprit . Nickell had taken out a total of about $ 76 @,@ 000 in insurance coverage on her husband 's life , with an additional payout of $ 100 @,@ 000 if his death was accidental . She was also known to have , even before Susan Snow 's death , repeatedly disputed doctors ' ruling that her husband had died of natural causes . Further FBI investigation showed that Bruce Nickell 's purported signatures on at least two of the insurance policies in his name had been forged . 
