In the winter of 1944, a young life was tragically cut short in Atlanta, Georgia. Three-year-old Gloria Evans, a female, passed away on December 26th of that year. At the time, her death was officially attributed to acute gastroenteritis. She was living with her cousin, Roberta Crane, and her husband, James Crane, at their home on Eason Street when she died.
It would be years before the sinister circumstances surrounding Gloria's death came to light.
Her cousin, who later became known as Roberta Elder, was eventually investigated for a series of suspicious deaths of her family members. The investigation into Elder's activities revealed a horrifying pattern of suspected poisonings for financial gain through life insurance policies. While she was tried and convicted for the murder of her husband, the Reverend William Elder, authorities believed she was responsible for numerous other deaths, including that of young Gloria.
The investigation suggested that Gloria Evans was one of Roberta Elder's many victims, falling prey to a scheme of murder for insurance money. Elder, who was chillingly nicknamed 'Mrs. Bluebeard,' was ultimately sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her husband. Though she was not specifically tried for the death of Gloria Evans, the young girl is listed among the many suspected victims of this Atlanta serial killer. The case of Roberta Elder left a dark mark on the city's history, revealing a long and tragic trail of betrayal and murder within her own family.
