Marie LaFarge

Marie-Fortunée LaFarge, née Capelle (January 15, 1816 - November 7, 1852) was a Frenchwoman who was convicted of murdering her husband by arsenic poisoning in 1840. Her case became notable because it was one of the first trials to be followed by the public through daily newspaper reports as well as the first person convicted largely on direct forensic toxicological evidence. However, questions about her guilt had divided French society to the extent that it is often compared to the better-known Dreyfus affair.

"Parisian Illness"

While Charles was in Paris, Marie wrote to him passionate love letters, sent him her picture, as well as a Christmas cake in the spirit of the season. He ate a piece of it and suddenly became violently ill soon after. As "choleralike" symptoms were common in those days, he did not think about consulting with a physician, but threw the cake away, thinking that became spoiled in transit. When he returned to Le Glandier, having raised some money, he still felt ill. Marie put him to bed and fed him venison and truffles. Almost immediate Charles was again afflicted with la maladie parisienne. The family physician, Dr. Bardon, agreed with its choleralike symptoms; nor was he suspicious when Marie asked him for a prescription for arsenic, in order to kill the rats that disturbed her husband during the evening.

Related Topics:
Christmas - Venison - Truffles

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The next day Charles experienced leg cramps, dehydration and nausea. He was so ill that this relatives kept watch on him at all times, including a young cousin named Emma Pontier and a young woman who stayed with them by the name of Anna Brun. Marie treated him with various medicaments, especially gum arabic, which according to her, always did her good, and which she always kept a ready supply in her small malachite box. But to no avail. Charles deteriorated so rapidly that another physician, Dr. Massénat, was called in for consultation. He also diagnosed cholera, and prescribed eggnog to strengthen him.

Related Topics:
Gum arabic - Malachite - Cholera - Eggnog

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Anna Brun noticed Marie take white powder from her malachite box and stirred it into the eggnog. When asked, Marie said it was "orange-blossom sugar". But Anna's suspicions were aroused when she noticed a few white flakes floating on the surface of the eggnog after the patient took a few sips. She showed the glass to Dr. Massénat; he tasted the eggnog and experienced a burning sensation, but attributed the flakes to some ceiling plaster that may have fallen on the glass. Anna was not convinced; she kept the rest of the eggnog in a cupboard and kept a closed eye on Marie. Again she saw Marie stir more white powder into some soup for Charles. Again Charles felt violently ill after a few sips. Anna took the cup of soup away and mustered enough courage to tell Charles' relatives of her suspicions.

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