‘20/20’ Features Exclusive Interview With Diane Staudte, Mother and Mastermind Behind Sinister Plot to Poison Her Family Members

When Mark and Shaun Staudte fell ill and died suddenly within months of each other, it seemed as though the Missouri family experienced a spurt of horrible luck. When Sarah Staudte developed similar symptoms soon after, landing her in the hospital, investigators and friends of the family grew suspicious: were these tragedies just bad luck or products of malicious intent? A new “20/20,” in collaboration with Plum Pictures, features ABC News senior national affairs correspondent Deborah Roberts’ exclusive prison interview with Diane Staudte, mother of four and mastermind behind a sinister plot to poison her husband and two children. For the first time, Diane talks about her relationship with her family and her feelings about the tragic events and alleges outside influences forced her to falsely confess to police despite having no evidence to support that claim. The program includes recordings of police interrogations with Diane and her daughter Rachel Staudte, who pleaded guilty to helping her mother in her disturbing scheme to pick the family off one by one. It also features an interview with Sarah from the ABC News archives about how she is healing after her mother and sister’s betrayal. “20/20” contains interviews with Jeff Sippy, the family’s pastor who tipped off police to the suspicious pattern; detective Neil McAmis, lead investigator on the case; Charles Alexander, Mark’s bandmate; Dr. Essam Elkady, who treated Sarah in the hospital; Michael Staudte, Mark’s brother; and other neighbors and friends of the family. “20/20” airs Friday, Feb. 25 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC, next day on Hulu.

ABC News’ “20/20” is an award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Amy Robach. A proven leader as a long-form newsmagazine for over 40 years, “20/20” features unforgettable, character-driven true-crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high profile stories. The two-hour “20/20” events air Fridays from 9:01–11:00 p.m. EST on ABC and are available to stream on ABC News digital platforms and Hulu. David Sloan is senior executive producer, and Janice Johnston is executive producer.

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