The evil and vengeful Courtney Stoddard
Courtney Stoddard (Doran Clark) is a hidden villainess from "Angel of Death," the antepenultimate episode of Murder, She Wrote's eighth season (airdate May 3, 1992). She is the wife of Philip Stoddard and the stepdaughter of playwright Martin Tremaine.
Introduction[]
Courtney also served as a caretaker of sorts for the ailing Martin, who had been struggling to process the suicide of his wife--and Courtney's mother--Vivian Tremaine. Martin had phoned Jessica Fletcher to take a look of his latest (and planned final) play, the titular Angel of Death, while also wanting Jessica's presence due to his fears of his increasing instability, which included seeing visions of Vivian. The episode's progression saw Philip stabbed to death inside the guest house, where Lisa Ryder was living, though it was later suspected--and confirmed--to be a case of mistaken identity, as the true target was Martin.
After sheriff Pat McAllister revealed that Courtney was the beneficiary of Martin's wealth, she quickly became a suspect. It was also uncovered that the medication that Courtney had been giving Martin was actually a powerful anti-depressant, which Jessica stated could have fatal results. Once Jessica and McAllister returned to the house, the latter uncovered the white outfit worn by Vivian in Courtney's room, with Courtney referring to the attire as a keepsake. However, when the truth was revealed regarding Martin's medication, Courtney confessed to tormenting Martin, doing so out of revenge.
Reveal[]
Courtney in her "ghostly" disguise
As revealed in the episode, Vivian's suicide came after she caught Martin engaging in a tryst with Lisa, with Courtney blaming Martin for her mother's death. Courtney turned heel afterwards by planning to drive Martin insane, and on more than one occasion, the evil Courtney appeared to her stepfather in her mother's outfit--making Martin believe that Vivian was haunting him out of anger over his indiscretion. In addition, the vengeful villainess secretly administered her own anti-depression medication into Martin, and during her admission, Courtney voiced her immense hatred of Martin and informed her stepfather that she wanted him to pay for (in her mind) what he had done to Vivian. When asked about Philip's murder and the attempt on Martin, Courtney denied everything; adding that she wouldn't talk until she had legal advice from her uncle, Alex Ericson.
As for Alex, he was revealed as the actual killer, as he spotted Philip with Lisa and thought it was Martin, stabbing out of anger over his sister's suicide. Regarding Courtney, her fate wasn't revealed, but she was assumingly arrested (off-screen) for her own actions.
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