Maria Swanenburg

Serial killer

27known / alleged victims (27 +)

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Case Facts

Gender: female
Country: Netherlands
Location: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands
Date of birth: September 9, 1839
Age at first offence: 41
Characteristics: poisoner
Victim profile: Children and ill people in the poor neighbourhood of Leiden in which she lived
Method of murder: Poisoning (arsenic)
Date(s) of murder: 1880 - 1883
Years active: 1880–1883
Date of arrest: December 1883
Status: Died in custody
Sentenced to life in prison in 1885; died in prison on April 11, 1915

Case Summary

Case record

Background

Maria Catherina Swanenburg (Leiden 9 September 1839 - Gorinchem 11 April 1915) was a Dutch serial killer who murdered at least 27 people and was suspected of killing more than 90 people. She was the daughter of Clemens Swanenburg and Johanna Dingjan.

After her first two daughters died at a young age, she married Johannes van der Linden on 13 May 1868. The result of this marriage was five sons and two daughters. The marriage lasted until 29 January 1886.

Her nickname was Goeie Mie, also spelt as Goede Mie in modern Dutch (which translates as Good Mee). She received this nickname for taking care of children and ill people in the poor neighbourhood of Leiden in which she lived.

The offence

It was established with certainty that Swanenburg poisoned at least 102 people with arsenic, and 27 died between 1880 and 1883.

Forty-five of the survivors sustained chronic health problems after ingesting the poison.

Her first victim was her own mother in 1880, and shortly after this she killed her father too.

Investigation

The investigation included more than ninety suspicious deaths.

Arrest

She was caught when trying to poison the Frankhuizen family in December 1883.

Trial

Her trial began on April 23, 1885. Maria Swanenburg was found guilty of murder of her last three victims.

Sentencing

She was sentenced to live in a correctional facility for the rest of her life.

Outcome

She died in prison on 11 April 1915.

Aftermath

Her motive was the money she would receive either through the victims' insurance or their inheritance. She had secured most of the insurance policies herself.

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