16 Most Notorious Female Serial Killers Of All Time
Published April 23, 2024
Serial murder, linked to male culprits, also features a disturbing array of female participants. Though rarer, the influence and terror induced by female serial killers have imprinted on history.
In this article, we look into the shadowy realms of the most famous female serial killers. We’ll explore their heinous crimes, investigate their motivations, and identify the unique traits that set them apart from their male counterparts.
Most Notorious Female Serial Killers Of All Time
Let’s look into the histories of some of the most infamous female serial killers over the years. As you explore further, you may find the revelations startling. It becomes clear that certain women have committed acts of profound atrocity.
1. Aileen Wuornos
In the late 1980s in Florida, Aileen Wuornos, a sex worker, was found guilty of killing seven men. She executed her victims at point-blank range. According to Wuornos, these men, all clients, became violent, leading her to allege that the killings were acts of self-defense. However, Wuornos later recanted these self-defense claims. As one of the famous women serial killers, her life narrative and execution in 2002 ignited a debate over the morality and implementation of the death penalty.
2. Elizabeth Bathory
A 16th-century Hungarian countess, distinguished by the Guinness World Records as history’s most prolific female murderer, casts a shadowy figure in the chronicles of crime. She stands accused of the gruesome deaths of hundreds of young women, driven by a macabre quest for eternal youth. According to legend, she believed bathing in the blood of virgins would maintain her beauty and youthfulness. Sadly, it led to a chilling campaign of violence. Her infamous legacy continues to captivate and appall the world even today.
3. Amelia Dyer
Amelia Dyer was infamously known as a baby farmer. She committed the heinous act of starving or murdering infants who were entrusted to her care under the guise of providing a haven for them. She exploited the desperate situations of mothers and families, profiting from these atrocities by receiving payment to supposedly care for these children. Her actions resulted in the tragic deaths of many infants. It led to her arrest and execution in 1896, bringing an end to her horrific crimes.
4. Belle Gunness
A Norwegian immigrant, Belle Gunness, “Hell’s Belle,” is suspected of murdering approximately 40 individuals. The murders include her husbands and children for financial gain. Her notorious spree came to a mysterious end after her farmhouse was consumed by fire, leading to her disappearance.
5. Myra Hindley
A notorious figure in the history of the UK, Myra Hindley, together with her partner, was responsible for the Moors Murders. Between 1963 and 1965, they murdered five young individuals, ranging from children to teenagers. The acts of crime cemented their status as some of the most despised individuals in British history.
6. Jane Toppan
Jane Toppan, a nurse with a sinister history known as “Jolly Jane,” administered lethal amounts of morphine and atropine to her patients, resulting in their deaths. She admitted to killing 31 people but suggested the number could be as high as 70.
7. Juana Barraza
Juana Barraza was a professional wrestler turned criminal known as the Old Lady Killer. She targeted older women in Mexico City, taking advantage of their vulnerability. Her shocking crimes led to her capture and conviction for many murders. Barraza received a 759-year prison sentence, one of Mexico’s harshest penalties for serial crimes.
8. Rosemary West
In a notorious and chilling case that shocked the nation, Rosemary, alongside her husband, has perpetrated a series of gruesome murders. Sadly, it involved their children. These horrifying acts were carried out within the walls of their infamous “House of Horrors” in England. Fred and Rose were convicted and given the life sentence, with Rose still in prison today. Despite her denial, strong evidence and witness testimony refute her claims.
9. Lizzie Borden
In 1892, Lizzie Borden allegedly killed her father and stepmother with an ax but was ultimately acquitted of the crime. However, her case remains a mystery that captivates true crime enthusiasts.
10. Joanna Dennehy
Joanna Dennehy, a notorious criminal in the UK, stunned the country by fatally stabbing three men over several days. She takes pleasure in her horrifying deeds. The extreme nature of her actions, characterized by her evident delight in the violence, resulted in the courts imposing a life sentence. This sentence makes her one of only two women serving a life sentence in Britain, alongside Rosemary West.
11. Dorothea Puente
She ran a boarding house in California, where she ominously killed her tenants in a grim plot to profit from their deaths financially. Known as the “Death House Landlady,” Puente began her murderous spree approximately in 1982. This macabre tactic eventually resulted in her capture and subsequent life sentence for her myriad of crimes.
12. Nannie Doss
Known as “The Giggling Nanny,” Doss was accountable for the death of 11 individuals, among them her family members. She methodically poisoned her victims using arsenic, a chilling method that earned her infamy.
13. Amy Archer-Gilligan
Operating a nursing home in Connecticut, Archer-Gilligan fatally poisoned residents for financial gain. The facility opened its doors in 1901, and over the next 13 years, she married five male residents, each of whom died shortly after their nuptials. After insuring their lives, she used arsenic or strychnine to poison her husbands. Upon their deaths, she collected the life insurance proceeds. Her heinous actions resulted in the deaths of at least 48 individuals.
14. Leonarda Cianciulli
Infamously dubbed the “Soap-Maker of Correggio,” committed the heinous murders of three women in Italy from 1939 to 1940. She transformed their remains into soap and teacakes.
15. Judy Buenoano
Judy Buenoano, known as the “Black Widow,” gained notoriety for her chilling crimes. She poisoned her husband, son, and boyfriend, a series of acts driven by a desire to collect insurance money. Her cold-blooded actions, which left a trail of devastation in their wake, ultimately led to her capture and conviction. She became the first woman executed in Florida in 150 years when she was put to death in the electric chair in 1998 following her death sentence.
16. Genene Jones
A former pediatric nurse from Texas was found guilty of murdering one infant and attempting to murder another. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, it’s believed that she was responsible for the deaths of up to 60 infants and children under her care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Female Serial Killers
Who holds the title of the most infamous female serial killer in history?
Although Aileen Wuornos is widely known for her crimes, historical records suggest that Amelia Dyer may have had more victims.
What motivates individuals to commit crimes?
While financial gain often emerges as a primary motive, factors such as revenge, a quest for power, or the pursuit of thrill influence their motivations.
Why are female serial killers uncommon?
Their motivations and methods frequently diverge from those of their male counterparts, with a greater emphasis on financial gain or focusing their attention on individuals within their close circle.
The Dark Legacies Of Female Serial Killers
Though less numerous, female serial killers have perpetrated atrocious acts that disrupt conventional notions of gender and violence. From Belle Gunness, whose murders were driven by financial gain, to the ruthless crimes of Aileen Wuornos, these women have etched their names into the sinister archives of true crime. Their actions serve as a stark reminder that evil transcends gender boundaries.
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About The Author
Hello! I’m Corinne, a nursing graduate from Riverside College with a flair for writing. Thanks to the thorough research into each piece, my work stands out for its quality and accuracy. I believe in the power of storytelling to connect with people from all walks of life.
