Dead Air Time

Ep. 19 - The Serial Poisoner, Giulia Tofana

Listen

Description

She stepped into the shop, perfume bottles and cosmetic cases glittering in the dim light.  Stepping forward, she approached the counter where behind an older woman accompanied by her young lady assistants worked.  Whispering in hushed tones while trying to appear at ease, money was exchanged for a small vial of liquid - uncolored, having no scent, and having no taste.  For all one unknowing could tell, it was a small vial of water. Slipping it into her pocket sleeve, she hustled out of the unassuming shop.  Within the week, her husband would be dead, and she would be a free woman. Join us as we take a breath of dead air with the alleged serial poisoner, Giulia Tofana.

Sources -

  • https://smarthistory.org/gender-renaissance-italy/ 

  • https://mikedashhistory.com/2015/04/06/aqua-tofana-slow-poisoning-and-husband-killing-in-17th-century-italy/

  • https://www.wired.com/2013/01/the-myth-of-the-female-poisoner/ 

  • https://www.statista.com/statistics/251886/murder-offenders-in-the-us-by-gender/#:~:text=Number%20of%20murder%20offenders%20in%20the%20U.S.%202023%2C%20by%20gender&text=In%202023%2C%20there%20were%2014%2C327,to%201%2C898%20who%20were%20female. 

  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24727-arsenic-poisoning 

  • “The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women” by Lisa Perrin

    Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

    https://uppbeat.io/t/weary-pines/home

    License code: XYNWYTBLVGNANIG9