A Man Slowly Poisons his Wife and Plants a Diary Entry Accusing Her Brother of Incest

Richard Lyon thought he had committed the perfect crime

Nancy Dillard Lyon was poisoned to death by her husband; image source.

Just as not all heroes wear capes, not all villains look outwardly frightening (think scars on their faces and fingers steepled like Bond villains as they laugh maniacally).

In fact, the most terrifying individuals are often charismatic and personable on the outside but ice-cold and calculating on the inside.

Richard Lyon was one such individual.

The heinous way he murdered his wife, Nancy Dillard, the outrageous way he tried to plant reasonable doubt, and finally, his complete lack of remorse give new meaning to the meaning of depravity.

Richard punched way above his weight class in landing someone like Nancy.

Richard and Nancy met at Harvard University, where they were graduate students at the School of Design. Beyond their shared alma mater, they had little else in common.

Richard came from a lower-middle-class background. His father was an insurance salesman, while his mother stayed home and raised Richard and his siblings.

Meanwhile, Nancy grew up in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Dallas. Her father was a…