Noziere, Violette (1915–1966)

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Noziere, Violette (1915–1966)

French murderer. Born Jan 11, 1915, in Neuvy-sur-Loire, France; died 1966.

At age 18, poisoned both parents with Veronal tablets, then turned on gas in the stove to make it look like they'd been overcome when a gas pipe burst (Aug 23, 1934); father died but mother survived; fled, and public hunt to find her caused national furor; once caught, faced quick trial and was found guilty (Oct 13, 1934); sentenced to be beheaded in a public place, saw sentence commuted to life. Her motive was apparently the more than 180,000 francs her father had saved which would pass to her upon the deaths of her parents.

See also (film) Violette Noziere, directed by Claude Chabrol (1978).