Dentist who shot his wife through the heart during hunting trip is sentenced to life in federal prison

DENVER (TCD) -- A federal judge sentenced a 68-year-old man who killed his wife during a hunting trip in Africa to life in prison and ordered him to pay millions of dollars in restitution and other fines.

On Monday, Aug. 21, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced Lawrence Rudolph’s sentencing and said he will serve life in prison for murder and a concurrent 20-year sentence for defrauding life insurance companies. Judge William Martinez also ordered him to pay almost $4.9 million in restitution, a $2 million fine, and a $200 special assessment.

U.S. Attorney Cole Finnegan said in the statement, "This result shows that no matter how much money, prestige, or power you have, you will be held accountable for your crimes."

Rudolph and his girlfriend, Lori Milliron, were convicted in August 2022, though she was found guilty of accessory after the fact to murder, obstruction of justice, and two counts of perjury. She was sentenced to 17 years in prison in June.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, on Oct. 11, 2016, Rudolph "shot his wife [Bianca Rudolph] through the heart with a 12-gauge shotgun that was enclosed in a soft-shell case on the last day of a scheduled hunt, scheming to make the murder look like an accident."

The two were in Zambia for a hunting trip.

Rudolph said his wife died when she tried to put the shotgun away and it accidentally discharged.

The Associated Press reports at the sentencing hearing, her brother said Rudolph would "die alone and unmourned," adding, "Even Judas would be afraid to be in your company."

Prosecutors argued Milliron, who worked as a dental hygienist and manager in Rudolph’s office, told Rudolph he needed to divorce his wife, according to The Associated Press.

Rudolph’s attorneys plan to appeal.

MORE:

• Lawrence Rudolph Sentenced to Life in Federal Prison for Murdering His Wife in Zambia - U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado
• Accessory to Zambia Safari Murder Sentenced to 17 Years in Federal Prison, 6/23/2023 - U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado
• Federal Jury Convicts Dentist of Killing Wife on African Safari, 8/2/2022 - U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado
• Dentist convicted of killing wife on African safari given life sentence and over $15M in penalties - The Associated Press
• Dentist found guilty in wife’s death on 2016 African safari, 8/1/2022 - The Associated Press
• Federal prosecutor: Dentist confessed to wife’s safari death, 7/13/2023 - The Associated Press