Hell’s Belle: The Violent Life and Strange End of Belle Gunness

You might notice a trend if you are into true crime; people seem to talk mainly about male serial killers. What about women? A myth that has been believed, even by FBI investigators, is that there are no female serial killers.

Women are too gentle, loving, weak, or scared, making them the victims of serial murder, not the perpetrators. It was assumed that a female killer couldn’t kill the required three confirmed victims, classifying someone as a serial killer. It is assumed to be not in their nature, but this is a fatal assumption.

The “Starvation Doctor” Linda Hazzard killed 15 people at the start of the 20th century. Licensed nurse Genene Anne Jones is believed responsible for the deaths of up to 60 babies and young children in her care.

Then there was Belle Gunness. She is responsible for killing so many victims that investigators stopped counting the number of remains found on her property. Known by the spectacular nicknames The Bluebeard in Skirts and Hell’s Belle, Belle Gunness was the talk of La Porte, Indiana, for years after her crimes were unearthed.