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Catherine Montvoisin | |
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_1680.jpg) Catherine Deshayes, "La Voisin", 17th-century print of her portrait held by a winged devil. | |
| Born | Catherine Deshayes c. 1640 |
| Died | 22 February 1680 (aged 39–40) Paris, France |
| Occupation | French fortune teller · Sorceress · Poisoner |
| Spouse | Antoine Monvoisin |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Children | Marguerite Monvoisin |
| Motive | Profit |
| Criminal charge | Witchcraft |
| Trial | Affair of the Poisons (17 February 1680 – 19 February 1680) |
| Penalty | execution by burning |
| Details | |
Span of crimes | 1660–1679 |
| Country | France |
| Location(s) | Paris |
| Killed | Unknown. Provided poison for people who wished to commit murder. |
| Weapons | Poison |
Date apprehended | 12 March 1679 |
| Imprisoned at | Vincennes |
Catherine Monvoisin, or Montvoisin, née Deshayes, known as "La Voisin" (c. 1640 – 22 February 1680), was a French fortune teller, commissioned poisoner, and professional provider of alleged sorcery. She was the head of a network of fortune tellers in Paris providing poison, aphrodisiacs, abortion, purported magical services and the arranging of black masses, with clients among the aristocracy and became the central figure in the famous affaire des poisons. Her purported organization of commissioned black magic and poison murder was suspected to have killed 1,000 people, but it is believed that upwards of 2,500 people might have been murdered.[1]
- ^ Ramsland, Katherine (2005) The Human Predator. The Berkley Publishing Group, New York City.