Dead Bride Pic Shown in 'Honeymoon Killer' Trial

Shows Tina Watson sinking near her husband
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 16, 2012 2:29 AM CST
Scuba Bride Pic Bared in 'Honeymoon Killer' Trial
Gabe Watson poses with and his then-fiancee, Tina, who died while diving off Australia on her honeymoon in 2003.   (AP Photo/Townsville Coroners Court, File)

A chilling photo of dead newlywed diver Tina Watson sinking near her apparently unconcerned husband has been entered into evidence in his Alabama murder trial. Prosecutors say expert diver Gabe Watson killed his wife in the waters off Australia during their 2003 honeymoon to collect $130,000 in life insurance. He turned off her air long enough to kill her, turned it back on, then let her sink to the ocean floor, they charge. Watson says his wife panicked underwater and knocked off his face mask. By the time he adjusted it, she had sunk too far away for him to help her, according to his attorney.

Watson then swam to the surface for help and later "calmly" explained what happened to authorities, an Australian police officer testified yesterday, reports ABC News. But he became agitated when police refused to return his mini dive computer, which helps track a diver's activity underwater, the officer added. Other divers, one of whom apparently took the underwater photo of Watson, challenged him after the dive that he didn't help his wife, prosecutors allege. Watson has already served 18 months in an Australian prison for negligent manslaughter for failing to save his wife of 11 days. Watson, now 34 and remarried, teared up at one point during yesterday's testimony. (More Tina Watson stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X