Edmunds, Christiana (1835–1907)

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Edmunds, Christiana (1835–1907)

English poisoner. Born 1835 in England; died in Broadmoor Prison for the Criminally Insane, 1907.

Came from family with mental illness on both sides; fell in love with her married doctor, Dr. Beard, and sent poisoned chocolates (some sources cite cakes) to his wife (Aug 10, 1871), who survived; began employing errand boys to purchase chocolate creams for her; laced these with strychnine and then had boys return them to confectioner, who unknowingly sold them to other customers (4-year-old Sidney Miller died from eating the poisoned sweets); tried for murder of Miller (Jan 1872), found guilty and received death sentence which was commuted to life imprisonment.