Amy Archer-Gilligan

Amy-Archer-Gilligan

Amy Archer-Gilligan (October 31, 1873 – April 23, 1962) was an American serial killer who is believed to have murdered at least five people, including her second husband, Michael Gilligan. However, some estimates suggest she may have been responsible for the deaths of over 20 individuals. Archer-Gilligan operated the Archer Home for the Elderly and Infirm in Windsor, Connecticut, where she poisoned her victims using arsenic or strychnine under the guise of nursing them back to health.

Early Life

Amy Duggan was born in Milton, Connecticut, and later married James Archer in 1897. The couple opened a boarding house in Windsor, Connecticut, which initially catered to the elderly and infirm, providing both a home and care. After James Archer's death in 1910, Amy continued to run the establishment on her own.

Crimes

The suspicions around Amy Archer-Gilligan arose when a significant number of residents at her boarding house began to die under mysterious circumstances. The pattern of deaths caught the attention of the relatives of the deceased, leading to investigations. The most notable case was that of Franklin R. Andrews, who died in 1914 after showing symptoms consistent with poisoning. His sister, Nellie Pierce, pushed for a thorough investigation, which eventually led to the exhumation of several bodies, all found to contain high levels of arsenic or strychnine.

Trial and Conviction

Amy Archer-Gilligan was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder. Her trial in 1917 was a significant media event, drawing attention to the dangers of unregulated elderly care facilities. She was found guilty of the murder of Franklin R. Andrews and sentenced to death, a verdict later commuted to life imprisonment. Archer-Gilligan was eventually transferred to the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane in Middletown, where she died in 1962.

Legacy

The case of Amy Archer-Gilligan has been cited as an early example of a female serial killer, challenging the stereotypes and perceptions of women at the time. It also highlighted the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the care of the elderly and infirm. The story of Archer-Gilligan inspired the play and film "Arsenic and Old Lace," although the fictional account takes considerable liberties with the details of the case.

See Also

• Serial killer
• Arsenic poisoning
• Strychnine poisoning
• Elderly care