A Widow’s Game: Ending Explained and the Shocking true Story Behind the Murder Mystery

The gripping Spanish crime thriller A Widow’s Game culminates in a shocking tale of manipulation, betrayal, and murder, based on a chilling true story that captivated Spain in 2017. The film opens with the brutal stabbing of Arturo in a Valencia parking garage, an event that quickly unravels into a tangled web of lies involving his wife, María Jesús “Maje” Moreno Cantó.

At first glance, Maje plays the part of the grieving widow, but Detective Eva Torres quickly suspects foul play. The autopsy confirms her intuition—Arturo’s death was no accident but a premeditated murder. As Eva digs deeper, the cracks in Maje’s story begin to show. Although Maje claims to have been with her lover Daniel on the night of the murder, phone taps reveal secretive conversations with another man, Salvador “Salva” Rodrigo Lapiedra, a janitor and coworker who was deeply infatuated with her.

Why did Maje kill Arturo?

Trapped in a controlling and unhappy marriage, Maje was desperate for freedom. Raised in a conservative household, she resented Arturo and fabricated stories of abuse to justify her drastic actions. Her numerous affairs were an escape, but she wanted more—she wanted out of her marriage for good. The idea of life insurance money became a motive, inspired by a friend’s payout, leading her to manipulate Salva into committing the murder.

Why did Salva kill Arturo?

Blinded by his obsession with Maje, Salva agreed to carry out the murder, believing it would win her love and a future together. Armed with a kitchen knife and detailed knowledge provided by Maje, Salva ambushed Arturo in the garage. The murder weapon was later discovered buried on Salva’s property, confirming the premeditated nature of the crime.

How did the Police Catch them?

Detective Eva’s team tapped Maje’s phone for weeks, gathering incriminating recordings. Despite Maje’s efforts to frame Salva as a stalker and coach him to lie about a garage key, inconsistencies piled up. When Salva discovered Maje’s continued infidelity—even from prison—he finally confessed his role in the crime, exposing the full extent of Maje’s manipulation.

The Fallout: Arrests, Trial, and Sentences

Maje and Salva were arrested in January 2018. During interrogation, Salva painted himself as Maje’s protector, while Maje tried to pin the blame on him. Both stuck to their versions, but the evidence was overwhelming. Salva’s cooperation led to a reduced sentence of 17 years, while Maje received 22 years for masterminding the murder. They were also ordered to pay €250,000 to Arturo’s family.

The real Story Behind the film

The events depicted in A Widow’s Game are based on the true case of Antonio Navarro Cerdán, a 36-year-old industrial engineer murdered in Valencia. Maje’s double life, marked by multiple affairs and manipulation, earned her the nickname “Black Widow of Patraix.” Her cold calculation to have her husband killed and collect life insurance shocked Spain.

One of Salva’s recorded confessions revealed the brutal truth: “In my previous statement, I said it was all my idea. But it was both of us.”

While imprisoned, Maje continued her tumultuous life, even giving birth to a child fathered by another inmate. The story stands as a stark reminder of how toxic desires and betrayal can destroy lives.

A Widow’s Game is available for streaming on Netflix.