Barbara Iske was a 57-year-old accountant who worked for Ann Marasco, a wealthy widow living in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
On June 14, 2005, Barbara was found lying face down on the driveway of Ann’s house, with two bullet wounds in her head and back.
She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police had no clues or witnesses to the crime, and Barbara’s friends and family could not think of anyone who would want to harm her.
She was described as a cheerful and kindhearted person who had no enemies.
The Family Feud
However, a shocking revelation from Ann’s daughter, Madelynne Smith, changed the course of the investigation.
Madelynne told the police that her brother, Joseph Marasco, had a bitter dispute with their mother over her will and estate.
According to Madelynne, Ann had initially disinherited her daughter after a falling out in 2004, leaving everything to Joseph.
However, Madelynne reconciled with her mother later and convinced her to divide the estate equally between the siblings.
Joseph was furious about this change and blamed Barbara for influencing his mother’s decision.
He believed that Barbara, who managed Ann’s finances, had access to important information on her laptop that could prove his entitlement to the inheritance.
He also resented Barbara for being close to his mother and taking his place in her life.
The Murder Plot
Joseph hired two men, Andre Williams and Derrick Thompson, to kill Barbara and steal her laptop.
He also enlisted the help of his friend, Joseph Marasco Jr., who was not related to him but shared the same name.
The plan was to lure Barbara to Ann’s house on the pretext of delivering some documents and then ambush her in the driveway.
On the day of the murder, Joseph Jr. drove Williams and Thompson to Ann’s house and waited in the car while they carried out the hit.
They shot Barbara twice at close range and grabbed her laptop and bag before fleeing the scene.
Joseph Jr. then drove them to a nearby park where they met Joseph Sr., who paid them $10,000 for the job.
The Arrests and Sentences
However, their plan unraveled when Madelynne informed the police about the family feud and Joseph’s motive.
The police traced Joseph’s phone records and found out that he had been in contact with
Williams and Thompson before and after the murder.
They also recovered Barbara’s laptop from Joseph’s house, which contained evidence of his involvement.
The police arrested Joseph Sr., Joseph Jr., Williams, and Thompson and charged them with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and felony firearm.
They all pleaded guilty and were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
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