Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Auto-Erotic Electrocution Death Spurs Life Insurance Dispute


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Apr 21, 2012

Modified Apr 21, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Christopher Robbins

Published Apr 21, 2012

Modified Apr 21, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

A woman whose husband died by auto-erotic electrocution in 2008 may benefit from her husband's life insurance policy, after the US Second Court of Appeals in Manhattan ordered the insurance company to reconsider their denial of the $81,000 payment. According to the Post, Amanda Martin found her husband Paul naked from the waist down and prostrate, with "wires attached to him." "I tried to move Paul, but got an electrical shock," Martin said in an affidavit. The insurance company claimed her husband's death arose from a "deliberate act on his part."

Martin says her 35-year-old husband suffered from diabetes and hypertension, and that she thought those ailments gave him erectile dysfunction. The couple had a daughter in 2006 and lived in Spencerport. "What happened to Paul was a surprise to me," she said.

Tagged

auto-erotic related deaths

electrocution

life insurance


Christopher Robbins

Twitter

Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NYC bars and restaurants say they're struggling and may raise prices

Many establishments also said in a survey they're considering reducing their workforce.

By

Catalina Gonella

Published Nov 10, 2026 at 4:38 p.m. ET


Jersey City mayor names new public safety director, police chief

Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose will step down.

By

Michael Sol Warren

News

Jersey City mayor names new public safety director, police chief

Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose will step down.

By

Michael Sol Warren


Gov. Hochul keeps the door open to redrawing New York’s congressional map

By

Jon Campbell

Rikers detainee's death is at least the 9th in corrections department custody this year

By

Ryan Kost

Study links ADHD to NYC’s deadly subway surfing trend

By

Ramsey Khalifeh

and

Stephen Nessen


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .