Tarnowska, Maria (1878–1923)

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Tarnowska, Maria (1878–1923)

Russian countess convicted of murder. Name variations: Countess Maria Tarnowska. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, 1878; died 1923; m. Count Vassili Tarnowska (div.); children: 2.

As sole beneficiary of his life insurance policy, planned murder of her lover Count Paul Kamarovsky; arranged for another lover Nicholas Naumov to commit the crime, of which her attorney Donat Prilukov, another beau, was aware (early Sept 1907); along with Naumov and Prilukov, stood trial for the murder in Venice, Italy (Mar 1910); sentenced to 8 years; served short time at Trani Prison and was released (Aug 1912). The public was transfixed by the trial of Tarnowska, who earned names like "Sphinx in Crepe" and "Russian Vampire."