Amy Archer-Gilligan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Amy E. Duggan October 31, 1873 Milton, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | April 23, 1962 (aged 88) Middletown, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Other names | Sister Theresa |
| Motive | Life insurance money |
| Criminal penalty | Death, later sent to insane asylum |
| Details | |
| Victims | 5+ |
Span of crimes | 1907–1917 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Connecticut |
Date apprehended | 1917 |
Amy Duggan "Sister" Archer-Gilligan (October 31, 1873[1] – April 23, 1962)[2] was a nursing home proprietor and serial killer from Windsor, Connecticut. She murdered at least five people by poisoning them. One of her victims was her second husband, Michael Gilligan; the others were residents of her nursing home.
It is possible that Archer-Gilligan was involved in more deaths. The authorities counted 48 deaths in her nursing home, the "Archer Home for the Elderly and Infirm."
The case attracted wide publicity at the time and has been cited as an inspiration for the play Arsenic and Old Lace.
- ^ Bovsun, Mara. "True crime story behind classic comedy, 'Arsenic & Old Lace'". NYDailyNews.com.
- ^ "Archer-Gilligan obituary". The Hartford Courant.