Martha Needle
Martha Needle | |
|---|---|
Needle c. 1880s/1890s | |
| Born | Martha Charles 9 April 1863 Near Morgan, South Australia, Australia |
| Died | 22 October 1894 (aged 31) Old Melbourne Gaol, Victoria, Australia |
| Cause of death | Executed by hanging |
| Other names | The Black Widow of Richmond |
| Occupation | Housekeeper |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Spouse(s) | Henry Needle (m. 1881; murdered. 1889) |
| Children | 3 (all murdered) |
| Parent(s) | Joseph Henry Charles (father) Mary Charles (mother) |
| Conviction | Murder |
| Criminal charge | Murder Attempted murder |
| Penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 5 |
Span of crimes | 1885–1894 |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
Martha Needle (née Charles; 9 April 1863 – 22 October 1894) was an Australian serial killer who was hanged for poisoning her husband, three children, and prospective brother-in-law. She was convicted for the murder of Louis Juncken, brother of her fiancé Otto Juncken, on 15 May 1894. Although Needle collected substantial sums of insurance money, her exact motive for murdering her family has not been determined. Several times she stated her innocence, but she was eventually hanged. She has been nicknamed The Black Widow of Richmond.