Who is the ‘Black Widow’ at the centre of a Florida murder case?

A Florida woman known as a potential “Black Widow” has been charged with attempted murder after authorities accused her of drugging a 69-year-old man with benzodiazepines.

Samantha Adams, 39, of Orlando, was arrested last week at a shopping mall in Davenport, Florida, according to authorities. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd described Adams as a potential “Black Widow” and said investigators believe there could be additional victims.

Authorities allege Adams met the man through a dating app and later visited his apartment in Haines City. According to investigators, the pair argued about a car the man had reportedly purchased for Adams.

The man told police that Adams went into the kitchen with her purse and returned with two glasses of whiskey. After he drank from one glass, he said the evening became intimate before Adams allegedly stopped and demanded $1,000 to continue.

The man reportedly refused, and Adams left the apartment. Later that night, he was taken to a hospital and treated for a benzodiazepine overdose. He told medical staff that he had not knowingly taken the medication.

Investigators also said the man described other incidents involving Adams. He reportedly became unsteady and fell after drinking at Adams’ Orlando residence and said he later backed into a vehicle while leaving her home despite consuming only a small amount of alcohol.

Adams was arrested while authorities allegedly found hydrocodone, oxycodone, Adderall and Xanax in her possession.

She faces an attempted murder charge, evidence-tampering allegations and multiple drug possession charges. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have not been proven in court.