Fact or Fiction: Author Series presents Murderous Matrons

In this episode, authors Victoria Cosner and Lorelie Shannon share a mostly-true story from their book Missouri’s Murderous Matrons.  Emma Heppermann, a black widow killer, and Bertha Gifford, an angel of mercy killer, used arsenic to murder unsuspecting family and friends for decades. The story of how they managed to evade discovery is unbelievable. As always, these authors insert one fiction into our discussion. Try to identify what they made up, but be warned: it’s not easy to know if something is fact or fiction.

All images below are courtesy of Victoria Cosner.

Vikki and Lorelie
Lorelei and Victoria at a book signing event
Murderous Matrons
Click on the image to purchase this book.
Grave of Tony Heppermann and wife
Tony Heppermann’s grave–he was not buried with Emma.
A sweet old lady?
Emma Heppermann, potato soup maker and poisoner
Victoria and Lorelie smiling for the camera.
Co-authors and friends Victoria Cosner and Lorelei Shannon
Renz Farm Prison
Renz Farm prison was a working farm. Emma was incarcerated here before she was transferred to a facility in Fulton, MO
Close up of unmarked grave.
Close view of the unmarked grave of Emma Hepperman in Fulton, MO.
Grave next to unmarked grave of Emma Heppermann.
Grave next to unmarked grave of Emma Heppermann in Fulton, MO.