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Wife jailed for life over Valentine’s Day killing

N.J. woman caused drug overdose in bid to get title for husband's home

updated 3:44 a.m. ET May 2, 2009

HACKENSACK, N.J. - A woman convicted of intentionally causing her husband's drug overdose death on Valentine's Day six years ago has been sentenced to life in prison.

Debra Aquilina, of Garfield, N.J., insisted at her Friday sentencing she didn't kill her husband.

Prosecutors said the 51-year-old Aquilina conspired with her son to kill 45-year-old Ralph Ludvik Jr. so she could take title to his house. She had married him six months earlier.

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The death initially was ruled an accidental heroin overdose. But authorities reopened the investigation after a tip from a jailhouse informant.

Aquilina's son was convicted previously and is serving a 44-year sentence.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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