Lewthwaite was an alleged member of the Somalia-based radical Islamic militant group Al-Shabaab . She was accused of orchestrating grenade attacks at non-Muslim places of worship , and is believed to have been behind an attack on those watching football in a bar in Mombasa during Euro 2012 . In September 2013 , there was speculation over her possible involvement in the Westgate shopping mall attack , although other reports cast doubt on this , or said her role had been exaggerated . She was dubbed the " White Widow " by the news media , a play on words referencing her race , the death of her first husband and the practice of referring to Chechen female suicide bombers as " black widows "
Westgate shopping mall attack
Westgate shopping mall attack
Samantha Lewthwaite