Mary Ann Cotton, born in 1832, was a serial killer who murdered 20 people, including three husbands, two lovers, and several children, mostly through poisoning. She was born to a strict and religious father, had a complicated childhood, and got married at 18. Her first husband died in a mining accident, and she later had seven children with her second husband, but all of them died due to "gastric fever." She then married a third time, and her new husband's three children from a previous marriage also died of the same illness. Mary Ann's own daughter died, and she was suspected of poisoning her.
She then started a relationship with a widower, Fred, and his two children, but they also died under mysterious circumstances. Mary Ann's fourth husband, Flávio, discovered that she was taking life insurance policies out on her victims. She was eventually caught and put on trial, where she was found guilty and executed on March 24, 1873.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Mary Cortem was born on October 31, 1832, in Sandra Helena, England.
2. Her father was a miner who died in an accident when Mary was 18 years old.
3. Mary's mother passed away when Mary was 8 years old.
4. Mary had to work multiple jobs as a teenager, including as a Sunday school teacher and a maid.
5. At 19, Mary met a man with the same profession as her father and fell in love.
6. Mary got pregnant and the couple had a hasty wedding ceremony.
7. Mary's first child was born, but she had to leave the child with her mother.
8. Mary's husband died of intestinal problems, and she collected life insurance.
9. Mary moved to a new place and became a maid for a widower with 5 children.
10. Mary seduced the widower and they started a relationship.
11. The widower's youngest son died of gastrointestinal problems.
12. Mary's daughter, who was living with her grandmother, died of gastrointestinal problems.
13. Mary's husband James died, and she collected life insurance again.
14. Mary's daughter with James died of gastric fever.
15. Mary's husband James's three children from a previous marriage also died of gastric fever.
16. Mary married again, to a man named George, who died of intestinal problems.
17. Mary moved to a new place and became a housekeeper for a widower named Flávio.
18. Mary seduced Flávio and they started a relationship.
19. Mary's lover from the past reappeared, and she started an affair with him.
20. Mary's lover died under mysterious circumstances.
21. Flávio's children died of unknown causes.
22. Mary's childhood friend, who had helped her get the job with Flávio, died under mysterious circumstances.
23. Flávio's brother, who was a doctor, discovered Mary's dark past and reported her to the police.
24. Mary was arrested, tried, and condemned for the deaths of her husbands, children, and lovers.
25. Mary was executed on March 24, 1873, for the murder of over 20 people.