Bertha Alice Williams Gifford: A Detailed Account of Her Crimes
Introduction
Bertha Alice Williams Gifford was a notorious serial killer in the early 20th century. Born on October 30, 1871, in Morse Mill, Missouri, she was accused of murdering three people and suspected in the deaths of up to 17 others. Gifford was known for her cooking skills and caring for sick neighbors, which ultimately led to her arrest and conviction.
Crimes
Gifford's crimes spanned from the early 1900s to 1928. She was arrested in 1928 at Eureka, Missouri, and charged with three murders. The bodies of Edward Brinley, Elmer Schamel, and Lloyd Schamel were exhumed and found to contain large amounts of arsenic. Gifford was put on trial in Union, Missouri, and was found not guilty by reason of insanity. She was committed to the Missouri State Hospital #4, where she remained until her death in 1951.
Victims
- Edward Brinley - Date of death: 1928 - Location: Eureka, Missouri
- Elmer Schamel - Date of death: 1928 - Location: Eureka, Missouri
- Lloyd Schamel - Date of death: 1928 - Location: Eureka, Missouri
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