35 Facts About Omaima Nelson

The Early Life of Omaima Nelson

Omaima Nelson's story begins in Egypt, where her early years were marked by hardship and trauma.

1. Early Life: Born in 1968, Omaima grew up in Cairo. She claimed to have suffered abuse and female genital mutilation as a child, which deeply affected her later life.

2. Immigration: At 18, she moved to the United States in 1986. California became her new home, where she worked as a nanny and model.

Relationships and Marriages

Omaima's relationships were complex and often tumultuous, shaping much of her adult life.

3. Marriage and Divorce: Before Bill Nelson, she married Roger Stainbrook, an American citizen. This marriage was short-lived and did not provide the financial stability she sought.

4. Multiple Relationships: Known for engaging in simultaneous relationships, Omaima frequented bars to solicit older men for sex, using pseudonyms like Ishta or Nadia.

Employment and Legal Troubles

Omaima's work history and legal issues paint a picture of a troubled individual.

5. Employment: Besides nannying and modeling, she had a history of shoplifting and other illicit activities. She once assaulted a female security guard who caught her shoplifting by biting her breast.

6. Traffic Violations: She had 12 traffic violations, including stealing a car leased by her boyfriend, Jack Huston, in Chino. She obtained her driver's license in 1989.

7. Attempted Robbery: In November 1990, her boyfriend, Robert Hannson, accused her of attempting to rob him at gunpoint during a consensual bondage session. No charges were filed until her arrest in December 1991.

Meeting and Marrying Bill Nelson

Omaima's relationship with Bill Nelson was brief but ended in a horrific crime.

8. Meeting Bill Nelson: She met Bill while playing pool at a bar in Huntington Beach in early October 1991. Bill, 56, was a pilot recently released from prison for attempting to smuggle marijuana.

9. Marriage to Bill Nelson: Their marriage lasted only three weeks. Omaima claimed Bill showed a violent side, attempting to strangle and sexually assault her.

The Murder of Bill Nelson

The murder of Bill Nelson is one of the most gruesome and bizarre crimes in recent history.

10. Murder of Bill Nelson: On Thanksgiving Day in 1991, Omaima killed Bill. She claimed self-defense after he attempted to rape her, but the prosecution argued she had other motives.

11. Dismemberment and Cannibalism: After killing Bill, she dismembered his body, frying his hands in oil and cooking his head. She mixed his remains with leftover turkey and stored them in trash bags and suitcases.

12. Police Investigation: Police found a scene resembling a slaughterhouse. The bedroom mattress was covered in blood, and various body parts were discovered in different rooms.

Arrest and Trial

Omaima's arrest and trial captivated the public and media alike.

13. Arrest and Charges: She was immediately detained and taken in for questioning. She was arrested for murder and sent to the Orange County Jail.

14. Trial Proceedings: The trial began in December 1992. Her attorney argued she acted in self-defense due to her history of abuse, while the prosecution contended she had planned the murder.

15. Psychological Evaluation: A psychological evaluation revealed she suffered from PTSD and battered woman syndrome, used as part of her defense.

16. Defense Strategy: The defense focused on her traumatic past, including childhood abuse and female genital mutilation, arguing these led to her psychological instability.

17. Prosecution's Case: The prosecution presented evidence of her history of conning older men and violent behavior, arguing her actions were premeditated.

18. Jury Deliberation: The jury deliberated for six days before finding her guilty of second-degree murder. She was sentenced to 28 years to life in prison.

Life in Prison and Parole Hearings

Omaima's life in prison has been marked by continued legal battles and parole hearings.

19. Parole Hearings: She became eligible for parole in 2006 but was denied due to concerns about her being an unpredictable threat. She remarried while in prison but was denied parole again in 2011.

20. Denial of Cannibalism: Despite allegations, she denied eating any part of her husband, though she refused to answer questions about her purpose in cooking his body parts.

21. Psychiatric Evaluation: A psychiatrist described her as soft-spoken and childlike but equally disturbed. She claimed to be possessed by ancient Egyptians who told her to mutilate Bill's body.

22. Abuse Claims: She claimed Bill was aware of her traumatic past, including female circumcision, which led to painful sex and further abuse.

23. Defense Claims: The defense argued she acted in self-defense after severe abuse by Bill, highlighting her history of physical and psychological abuse.

24. Prosecution's Theories: The prosecution theorized Bill entered the bedroom for consensual sex but was threatened by Omaima, leading to a rage that resulted in his murder.

25. Confession to Cannibalistic Acts: The prosecution claimed she confessed to cannibalistic acts, stating she cooked Bill's ribs in the oven and put barbecue sauce on them.

Public Perception and Media Coverage

Omaima's case has fascinated the public and media, drawing comparisons to fictional characters known for their gruesome acts.

26. Public Perception: Her case has garnered significant attention due to its bizarre nature, with media often referring to her as the "Black Widow".

27. Media Coverage: The case has been extensively covered in documentaries and podcasts, delving into the details of her crime and troubled past.

28. Psychological Impact: The psychological impact on her family and society has been significant. Her daughter, Margaret, opposed her parole, highlighting the emotional toll of the crime.

29. Family Statements: During parole hearings, Margaret made a poignant statement about not having her father at her wedding or introducing him to her newborn daughter.

30. Omaima's Remarriage: While in prison, she remarried a man in his 70s. She described their relationship as loving, but it ended with his death before her second parole hearing.

31. Parole Hearing Testimony: During her parole hearing, she testified she was a changed person, eager to live a good life and help others, but declined to answer questions about cooking Bill's body parts.

32. Denial of Eating Husband: She repeatedly denied eating any part of her husband, stating she is not a monster, though her actions raised questions about her mental state.

33. Current Status: As of the latest information, she remains incarcerated at the Central California Women’s facility, serving out her sentence. She is not eligible for parole again until 2026.

34. Ongoing Legal Issues: Despite her conviction, she continues to face legal issues related to her parole eligibility.

35. Comparisons to Fictional Characters: Her case has led to comparisons with fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter and Jeffrey Dahmer, adding to the public fascination.

The Infamous Case of Omaima Nelson

Omaima Nelson's story is one of the most shocking and gruesome in true crime history. Born in Egypt, she moved to the U.S. seeking a better life but ended up making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Her marriage to Bill Nelson lasted just three weeks before she killed him, claiming self-defense. The details of the crime, including dismemberment and allegations of cannibalism, horrified the public. Despite her claims of abuse and psychological trauma, the jury found her guilty of second-degree murder. Sentenced to 28 years to life, she remains in prison, with her next parole eligibility in 2026. Her case continues to fascinate and disturb, serving as a grim reminder of the complexities of human behavior and the dark side of relationships.