Martina Cole's Lady Killers

18/09/2008

Female serial killers have always been something of an anomaly in criminology and a puzzle for law enforcement.  It is a popularly held belief that women, being ‘the fairer of the sexes’, are less capable of murder than men. It has been proven, however, that women killers are meticulous, methodical and quiet in committing their crimes and, on average, the time-line of women killers usually spans eight years before they are caught - double that of a male serial killer.

In this six-part factual documentary series, Britain's leading and most visceral crime writer Martina Cole takes an up close and personal look at some of the most significant cases of female serial killers in history. From Myra Hindley to Beverly Allitt, Martina will examine the life histories and careers of some of the most notorious female killers – re-examining evidence and providing a comprehensive portrait of the sociological backgrounds that may have helped create these killers.

In fact, one of the most shocking facts about female serial killers is that their victims are not just random strangers, but more often than not people who know their assailant well.  Husbands, lovers, dependants, mothers and children - no one is spared.  But what is it that drives these women to kill?  What is it that makes a mother kill her child, a wife kill her husband?  Is there a killer gene?  And what about the often-quoted 'male influence' myth?

The cases examined will be both historical and recent. In historical instances Martina Cole will reopen the history books, question accepted wisdoms and conventions of the times and examine the case within a historical perspective. In modern cases she will meet with the investigating officers, criminal psychologists, colleagues, friends and representatives of the victims.  In each episode a tale of intrigue will unfold as Martina takes us on her journey of discovery, offering some form of understanding of the lives and minds of these wilful women. 

Martina will bring her unique take to the stories including relatively recent – and relevant - cases such as Myra Hindley, Beverly Allitt and Rosemary West, alongside historical figures such as Elisabeth Bathory who was responsible for the deaths of over 600 people in 16th century Hungary; Mary Ann Cotton, Victorian Britain’s most prolific serial killer, and Amelia Dyer, a Victorian Baby Farmer with murder on her mind.

From questioning their sanity to motives of revenge, profit and sheer malice, these women come in all shapes and sizes, backgrounds and nationalities – but all with one thing in common.  An urge to kill.

Without sensationalising their crimes, Martina Cole will take the viewers on a journey into the psychological and sociological backdrops that have created some of the world’s most hated criminals.

Although the classification of female serial killers is still in its infancy as criminologists struggle to organise and distinguish the murderous traits of each new killer and to understand the complexities of the female mind, each episode in this series will place its focus on a typology that has been directly associated with specifically female serial killers.  The typology includes The Black Widow, The Angel of Death, The Lustful Hedonist, The Team Killer, The Sexual Sadist and The Profiteer.  All of them women.  All of them killers.

Emma Tennant, Controller of ITV3 and CITV added: “Martina Cole’s Lady Killers promises to be a sensitive exploration of the stories behind some of the most notorious female serial killers in history.  The literary pedigree that Martina brings to the project will enable the programme to provide an insight into an area of criminology which is often overlooked.”

Click here to download press pack (.doc)