La Voisin

Catherine Montvoisin
Catherine Deshayes, "La Voisin", 17th-century print of her portrait held by a winged devil.
Born
Catherine Deshayes

c. 1640
Died22 February 1680 (aged 39–40)
Paris, France
OccupationFrench fortune teller · Sorceress · Poisoner
SpouseAntoine Monvoisin
Criminal statusExecuted
ChildrenMarguerite Monvoisin
MotiveProfit
Criminal chargeWitchcraft
TrialAffair of the Poisons (17 February 1680 – 19 February 1680)
Penaltyexecution by burning
Details
Span of crimes
1660–1679
CountryFrance
Location(s)Paris
KilledUnknown. Provided poison for people who wished to commit murder.
WeaponsPoison
Date apprehended
12 March 1679
Imprisoned atVincennes

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]

  1. ^ Ramsland, Katherine (2005) The Human Predator. The Berkley Publishing Group, New York City.