Feature
March 1980 Helen Hagen, the wife of Marjorie’s soon-to-be third husband, dies at Twin Birch Nursing Home. Nurses report that the last person to visit her was Marjorie.
August 7, 1981 Marjorie marries widower Wally Hagen without first divorcing Roger.
August 6, 1982 The Minnesota Supreme Court overturns Roger’s convictions.
July 5, 1983 To avoid a second trial, Roger pleads guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, makes a full confession and is released from prison.
January 13, 1984 October 19, 1986
Marjorie is found guilty of arson. She is sentenced to 21 months at the Shakopee women’s prison.
Marjorie is released from prison. She and Wally move to Arizona.
May 18, 1988
March 24, 1991
Roger commits suicide.
Marjorie is caught trying to light a neighbor’s house on fire with a kerosene-soaked rag.
October 29, 1992 Marjorie is convicted of attempted arson and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
October 30, 1992 Wally dies of a drug overdose. Marjorie is arrested for his murder, but the charge is later dropped.
Marjorie is released early from prison.
March 1, 2007 Roger Sammis, a gentleman friend of Marjorie’s, dies. She has his body cremated before a cause of death can be determined. She is charged with fraud and forgery.
March 5, 2009 Marjorie pleads guilty to the charges and is sentenced to three years of intensive probation.
July 20, 2016 Marjorie buys a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Tucson.
November 24, 2010 Marjorie asks a court to end her probation, which prevents her from moving into an assisted-living facility. A judge denies her request.
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND PIMA COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT | ILLUSTRATION BY ALLEGRA LOCKSTADT
January 5, 2004