Jegado, Hélène (1803–1851)

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Jegado, Hélène (1803–1851)

French poisoner. Name variations: Helene Jegado. Born 1803 in Plouhinec, Morbihan, France; beheaded, 1851.

Illiterate Breton peasant, was orphaned at 7; worked as cook and housekeeper for cleric in France; while many deaths occurred around her, remained above suspicion; employed in Rennes by university professor Théophile Bidard (1850); after deaths of 2 servants in Bidard household, arrested and tried (Dec 1851); found guilty. It has been speculated that she may have poisoned to death more than 60 victims.

See also Victor MacClure, She Stands Accused (2002).

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