Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels

CBS All Access
  • 4.3 (185)
  • TRUE CRIME

When a woman commits murder, she’s often given a label: “The Woman Who Snapped,” “Black Widow” or “Angel of Death.” Do these labels help us explain why women murder, or do they mask the truth? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer as she uncovers what drives women to kill, presented by CBS All Access.

Episodes

  1. The Bloodthirsty Babe

    10/25/2019

    The Bloodthirsty Babe

    Elizabeth Bathory murdered 600 servants and bathed in their blood. At least, that’s how the story goes. In the final episode of “Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels,” we explore “Bloodthirsty Babes,” the women who kill just for the thrill of it. What makes this kind of story particularly attention-grabbing? Why are we especially shocked and fascinated by women who seem to enjoy their crimes? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of the “Bloodthirsty Babe,” presented by CBS All Access. Elizabeth Gurian is a criminologist, homicide researcher and associate professor of criminal justice and criminology at Norwich University. Helen Gavin is a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. She is co-author of the book “Female Aggression.” Dawn Pflugradt is a psychologist specialized in forensic assessment and ethics. She's published several peer reviewed articles on violent female offenders, and is an associate professor at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology. Belinda Morrissey is the author of When Women Kill: Questions of Agency and Subjectivity. She is a media theorist and lecturer of literature and media studies at the Federation University Australia. Susana Vargas Cervantes is the author of The Little Old Lady Killer: The Sensationalized Crimes of Mexico's First Female Serial Killer. She is a Fulbright Fellow at Columbia University.

    24 min
  2. The Bonnie

    10/18/2019

    The Bonnie

    Raymond Fernandez was a con artist, charming women out of their savings and then disappearing. But when he met Martha Beck, she joined him on his crime spree, and the cons became deadly. Today, we might compare this kind of lethal couple with Bonnie and Clyde, but does that truly explain the dynamic between them? And what causes a woman to become one half of a deadly duo? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of the “Bonnie,” presented by CBS All Access. Laura Richards is a criminal behavior analyst and co-host of Real Crime Profile. Peter Vronsky is an investigative historian, author, filmmaker and new media artist. He is the author of Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters. Eric Hickey is a Criminal Psychologist teaching at Walden University and California State University, Fresno, CA.

    23 min
  3. The Jealous Lover

    10/11/2019

    The Jealous Lover

    Mary Pearcey was deeply in love with her flame Frank Hogg. But Frank? He ended up marrying his steady girlfriend, Phoebe. Mary’s jealousy overcame her. Before long, Mary killed Frank’s wife and child. Stories of “Jealous Lovers” occupy pop culture, but what does this story archetype tell us about the real crimes that occur by women in love triangles? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of the “Jealous Lover,” presented by CBS All Access. Sarah Beth Hopton is an assistant professor at Appalachian State University, and author of 'Woman at the Devil's Door: The Untold True Story of the Hampstead Murderess." Joni Johnston is a forensic psychologist and host of "Unmasking a Murderer." She works with the California Parole Board to evaluate offenders' mental health.

    25 min
  4. The Angel of Death

    10/04/2019

    The Angel of Death

    Amy Archer-Gilligan ran a nursing home — or as it came to be known, a murder factory. Those under her care rarely made it out alive. Today, we’d label Gilligan an “Angel of Death.” But does a label like that truly explain away her motivations? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of the “Angel of Death,” presented by CBS All Access. M. William Phelps is an investigative journalist and author of The Devil’s Rooming House: The True Story of America’s Deadliest Female Serial Killer. Carole Lieberman is a psychiatrist, radio talk show host and book author. Beatrice Yorker served as the Dean of Health and Human Services at California State University, Los Angeles from 2005-2015. She is currently a Professor Emerita of Nursing and Criminal Justice & Criminalistics. Stephen T. Holmes is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida. Prior to this position, he was a social science analyst for the National Institute of Justice in Washington, D.C.

    23 min
  5. The Woman Who Snapped

    09/27/2019

    The Woman Who Snapped

    The song goes, “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother 40 whacks,” but how much truth is behind the tune? Although she was never convicted, Borden’s alleged crimes — murdering her stepmother and father — continue to haunt us. Was she an ordinary girl caught in an extraordinary situation? Or was she what society labeled her: a “Woman Who Snapped”? In this episode, the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests unpack the intrigue, psychology and history behind the “Woman Who Snapped” label, presented by CBS All Access. Dr. Stefani Koorey is a historian and editor of the Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Dr. Helen Gavin is a psychologist and professor at the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. She is co-author of the book Female Aggression. Dr. Anna Motz is a clinical psychologist in the United Kingdom, who often works with violent female offenders. She wrote the book Psychology of Female Violence: Crimes Against the Body.

    22 min
  6. The Black Widow

    09/20/2019

    The Black Widow

    She killed her husband for his insurance payout. Then she killed her next husband. And the next. And the next. Eventually, Belle Gunness received the label “Black Widow,” a name given to a woman driven to kill her lovers for financial gain. But to what extent does the “Black Widow” archetype capture the bloody details of the Gunness story? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of “Black Widow” killers, presented by CBS All Access. Richard Lindberg is a historian and author of Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch, and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago. Marissa Harrison is an Associate Professor of Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg. James R. Fitzgerald is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Criminal Profiler and author of his memoir series A Journey Into the Center of the Mind.

    23 min
  7. Welcome to Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels

    09/07/2019

    Welcome to Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels

    What drives a woman to kill? And why are female killers often labeled as “The Black Widow,” “Jealous Lover” or Bonnie to someone’s Clyde? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer as she explores the truth behind homicides perpetrated by women. Welcome to “Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels,” presented by CBS All Access.

    2 min

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.3
out of 5
185 Ratings

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When a woman commits murder, she’s often given a label: “The Woman Who Snapped,” “Black Widow” or “Angel of Death.” Do these labels help us explain why women murder, or do they mask the truth? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer as she uncovers what drives women to kill, presented by CBS All Access.

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