Lavinia Fisher: America's First Female Serial Killer

Lavinia Fisher is said to have been the first female serial killer in the United States. Together with her husband, John Fisher, she allegedly murdered male guests who stayed at their hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to their murderous tendencies, the couple was motivated by financial gain, as they enriched themselves with the money and possessions of their victims. The pair was eventually arrested and hanged in 1820 for their crimes.

BACKGROUND

Lavinia Fisher was born in 1793, but little is known about her upbringing or early life. She married a man named John Fisher, and the couple lived near Charleston, South Carolina. They earned a living by running a guesthouse, which they had been operating since the early 1800s. The hotel was called the "Six Mile Wayfarer House" because it was located six miles outside of Charleston. Lavinia Fisher was widely known as a charming and beautiful woman who also had a somewhat rough demeanor. She frequently flirted with male guests and engaged them in conversation before offering them a cup of tea before bed. It was her own blend, brewed with a secret ingredient...

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES

Around 1819, men who were guests in Charleston began mysteriously disappearing. As more and more reports of these missing men were investigated, it was quickly discovered that they had last been seen at the "Six Mile Wayfarer House." Although local authorities launched an investigation, no evidence was found to implicate the Fishers in any way. Combined with their general popularity in the city, the investigations were soon dropped. However, it would later be revealed that Lavinia, in particular, used her popularity as a means to assist her husband in robbing and killing numerous male travelers.

As more men continued to disappear in Charleston, rumors began to circulate. But no one could uncover what was really happening to the missing men at the "Six Mile Wayfarer House" until John Peeples, a guest who luckily declined a cup of tea, managed to escape their clutches.

FAILED PLAN

John Peeples traveled from Georgia to Charleston and stopped at the Fisher's hotel to inquire about a vacant room. He was warmly greeted by the beautiful Lavinia and promptly invited for tea and a meal. Her company was so enjoyable that he completely ignored the strange looks from Lavinia's husband and happily engaged in conversation, answering all her questions. However, John didn't like tea but didn't want to appear impolite to his friendly hosts. Instead of declining or leaving it untouched, he secretly poured the tea away when they weren't looking. When he went to bed, he suddenly had an odd feeling and started to think about why Mrs. Fisher had asked him so many questions—and why her husband had been staring at him strangely all evening. He felt uneasy about all the information he had shared and began to worry that he might become a target for a robbery, which was not uncommon at that time, especially in Charleston. So, he decided to sleep in a chair next to the door. In the middle of the night, he was awakened by the loud sound of a collapsing bed and discovered the Fishers' plan. He quickly jumped out of the window and rode to Charleston to alert the authorities.

THE END OF THE FISHERS

The police subsequently arrested John and Lavinia Fisher, as well as two men they were believed to have been working with. The "Six Mile Wayfarer House" was thoroughly searched, and the grounds were excavated. Dozens of items, which could later be linked to various travelers, were allegedly found, along with a tea containing an herb that could induce deep sleep for hours, and numerous human remains in the basement. The tea was supposed to put John Peeples to sleep like the other men... just before Mr. Fisher would stab them, and the couple would dispose of their bodies in the basement.

The Fishers pleaded not guilty, but the jury disagreed and found them guilty of multiple robberies and murders. The couple was sentenced to death by hanging.

Lavinia Fisher was held in the Charleston jail before her scheduled execution. However, she had already devised a plan to ensure she couldn't be executed. At that time, it was legally prohibited in South Carolina to execute a married woman. When Lavinia raised this objection, the judge simply stated that her husband would be killed first, leaving her a widow.

BETWEEN REALITY AND MYTH

Many myths surround the execution of the couple, including the claim that Lavinia insisted on being hanged in her wedding dress. However, like many aspects of their story, none of these claims can be substantiated with concrete evidence. The historical records from that time are not definitive either.

While it is often claimed that Fisher was the first female serial killer in the United States, this "title" likely belongs to Jane Toppan, who confessed to 31 murders in 1901 but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. One matter on which the records agree is that the Fishers robbed many travelers.

However, sometimes it is more appealing to embellish the legend, and this legend has persisted in Charleston to this day. The story of Lavinia Fisher is an integral part of every ghost tour that tourists participate in when visiting the city.

Numerous eerie incidents and mysterious events still provide fodder for discussion, and even the TV show "Ghost Hunters" dedicated an episode to the Charleston jail in 2012.