If I were on that jury I'm fairly sure I would see it the way you do. If the waiver she signed included a statement such as "I am aware that this contest could kill me", then that's an admission that the station and DJ's knew they were putting their contestants at risk of death, as they also stated during the show. Gross indifference to their safety and callous disregard of their lives, all for the sake of ratings. Disgusting! If they didn't tell them the risk to their lives it could be even worse. Either way, just losing their jobs is only the beginning of the penalties for them.
A young mother has lost her life and three children will have to grow up without her, so sad. I can't believe some of the cold-hearted, unsympathetic callousness shown by some replies on this thread.
I've frequently made similar agreements and have signed those releases, as was made in this case. However, the situation never included a real instance of willful gross negligence, or callous indiffence to safety and life, on anyone's part. In this case it clearly did and that's what makes the difference.
" A young mother has lost her life and three children will have to grow up without her, so sad."
Yes it is. I don't think she knew what she was getting into at all.