Ep 2. Mary Ann Cotton The Black Widow

Mary Ann Cotton is known as the first female serial killer in England. In this episode of Murder Maps season 4, the audience steps back in time to 19th century England, where Mary Ann Cotton, also known as the Black Widow, wreaked havoc throughout the country.

Mary Ann Cotton is a seemingly ordinary woman with a troubled past. She was married several times, and in each case, her husbands would die unexpectedly, leaving her with a hefty sum of money. Unbeknownst to many, Cotton had a dark side - she would poison her husbands with arsenic and pocket the insurance payout. She was able to keep up this scheme by marrying different men in different towns.

Cotton's killing spree started in the early 1860s, but it took time for the authorities to catch on. The episode goes into detail about the police investigation, which was led by George Mole, the first detective tasked with investigating a serial killer in England. Mole was able to track Cotton's movements and eventually caught up with her in 1872, after she had poisoned her stepson. She was then arrested and tried for murder.

The episode explains the trial in detail, particularly the interrogation of Cotton and the evidence mounted against her, which included extensive arsenic poisoning in the bodies of some her family members. The nine-day proceeding was highly publicized, with many people in the country intrigued by what was quickly becoming a high-profile case.

Cotton's defense attorney tried to claim that she was innocent, and that her husbands had died of natural causes, but the evidence was overwhelming. It was proven that Cotton had purchased large quantities of arsenic, which she claimed were for her children's scabies, and had a history of moving to different towns under different aliases.

The episode explores the ramifications of the trial and how it served as a turning point in criminal investigations in England. The case ultimately led to the passing of the first Chemical Poisons Act in 1868, which made it illegal to sell arsenic to someone without a license. The trial also served as a warning to other would-be murderers, showcasing that the law had capabilities to bring them to justice.

Overall, this episode of Murder Maps provides a fascinating and in-depth look at one of England's most notorious killers. Through expert interviews, historical records, and dramatic reenactments of key moments, the audience is transported back in time to the Victorian era and learns about the development of criminal investigations. It is a highly engaging and informative episode for those interested in true crime and history.