Kosta Fotopoulos, alongside his lover Deidre Hunt, has faced multiple serious charges following a shocking murder plot. On November 4, 1989, Fotopoulos conspired to have his wife, Lisa Fotopoulos, killed, resulting in a chain of unexpected events. The duo hired Bryan Chase to carry out the murder, but Fotopoulos intervened and shot Chase dead after the latter had already shot Lisa in the head.
Prior to this heinous crime, Fotopoulos had already been involved in money laundering activities in the Daytona Beach area. His criminal activities caught up with him, leading to a slew of charges including first-degree murder, conspiracy, burglary, counterfeiting, witness tampering, and harboring fugitives. Presently, Fotopoulos awaits execution for the attempted murder of his wife.
The notorious case, known as Seduced to Slay: Boardwalk Pied Piper, delves into the intricacies of Fotopoulos and Hunt’s murder plan to eliminate Lisa Fotopoulos. The story chronicles the tale of a powerful Daytona Beach couple in 1989, with Kosta owning a bar and hiring Deidre as a waitress. The result? A harrowing account of greed and seduction, ultimately leading to a deadly home invasion and a videotaped murder.
On the fateful day, Bryan Chase, an 18-year-old, carried out the act, shooting Lisa while she slept. The motive behind this gruesome plot was to gain access to Lisa’s wealth, including a substantial life insurance sum of $700,000, as she was in the process of settling her father’s estate.
The murder plan took shape after Fotopoulos initially enlisted the help of Teja James, with assistance from Hunt. However, James later withdrew from the plan. Fotopoulos and Hunt then turned to Bryan Chase, who allegedly fell under the spell of Deidre’s charm. Chase gained access to the Fotopoulos’ house by cutting through a first-floor window screen. But Fotopoulos was prepared, armed with an AK-47, and swiftly took Chase down moments after he had shot Lisa.
While Kosta Fotopoulos attempted to portray the incident to the police as a botched burglary, Lisa Fotopoulos made a full recovery and expressed her suspicions about her husband’s involvement. As a result, Fotopoulos faced charges of first-degree murder not only for Lisa’s case but also for Ramsey and Chase. He was additionally charged with attempted first-degree murder, solicitation, conspiracy, and burglary.
Prior to these macabre events, Fotopoulos had engaged in a money laundering scheme where he mixed counterfeit $100 bills with real money. He collaborated with an ex-employee named Kevin Ramsey, purchasing $100,000 worth of counterfeit bills in 1987. This fraudulent venture thrived, leading Ramsey to recruit more individuals to assist Fotopoulos. Among them was Deidre Michelle Hunt, who had fled her home in Massachusetts and entered into a romantic relationship with Fotopoulos. She even secured a position as a bartender at Top Shots to avoid raising suspicions.
As Fotopoulos’ money laundering activities came to light, he became increasingly dependent on Lisa’s wealth and faced threats from 19-year-old Mark Kevin Ramsey, who demanded money. In a sinister turn of events, Fotopoulos and Hunt tied Ramsey to a tree under the pretense of engaging in a group ritual for fun. Deidre then shot Ramsey twice, as instructed by Fotopoulos, while he filmed the shocking incident. Fotopoulos himself delivered the final fatal bullet using his .22 caliber gun. The tape capturing this horrific event later served as incriminating evidence against Fotopoulos.
In conclusion, Kosta Fotopoulos and Deidre Hunt’s murderous intentions and subsequent criminal activities have left them facing multiple charges and intense media scrutiny. Their story serves as a cautionary tale of greed, manipulation, and the devastating consequences that can result from such actions. As Fotopoulos awaits his fate on death row, the legacy of this heinous crime will undoubtedly continue to haunt the collective memory of the community and those touched by the tragic events of November 1989.
