Female Killers

Sarah Boone became infamous after being accused of trapping her boyfriend inside a suitcase and leaving him to die during one of Florida’s most disturbing domestic homicide cases. The case gained international attention after investigators discovered cellphone videos allegedly recorded by Boone showing her boyfriend pleading for help while trapped inside the suitcase shortly before his death. Nicknamed the “Suitcase Killer” by media outlets, Boone drew intense public fascination because of the bizarre circumstances surrounding the crime and her repeated claims that the incident was an accident during a game of hide-and-seek. The disturbing video evidence, volatile relationship history and Boone’s unusual courtroom behavior later transformed the case into one of the internet’s most heavily discussed modern true crime stories.

Shanda Vander Ark became widely known after being convicted in the 2022 torture and murder of her 15-year-old son, Timothy Ferguson, in Norton Shores, Michigan. Prosecutors alleged Vander Ark subjected the teenager to prolonged starvation, extreme abuse, sleep deprivation, and psychological torment inside the family home before his death. The case generated national outrage because of the severity of the abuse and disturbing evidence presented during trial proceedings. The investigation gained massive public attention after police recovered text messages, videos, and digital evidence documenting the abuse inside the home. Prosecutors argued Vander Ark controlled nearly every aspect of Timothy’s life while systematically depriving him of food, comfort, and medical care. The horrific details revealed during trial turned the case into one of the most heavily discussed child abuse murder prosecutions in modern true crime media.

Stacey Castor was an American woman convicted of murdering her husband and attempting to frame her daughter for the crime. She used poison as the method, leading to her nickname "The Black Widow." Castor was arrested and convicted, receiving a prison sentence. She died in custody in 2016. Her case is notable for the manipulation and deception involved in the crimes.

Stephanie Hudnall became the focus of a high-profile Oklahoma homicide investigation following the death of her husband, William "Bill" Hudnall, in June 2011. Although she initially claimed he had died from natural causes, investigators uncovered evidence that Bill had been intentionally poisoned. Following a lengthy investigation and trial, Stephanie Hudnall was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Susan Denise Atkins was a member of the Manson Family cult and a participant in some of the most infamous murders in American criminal history. Her involvement in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca killings placed her at the center of a case that shocked the nation and became a defining moment in the cultural history of the late 1960s. Atkins was born on May 7, 1948, in San Gabriel, California. Her early childhood was marked by instability and hardship. Her mother died of cancer when Atkins was a teenager, and her family struggled financially after the loss. Friends and acquaintances from her early years often described her as a shy and troubled young woman who experienced difficulty finding stability and direction in her life. After leaving home as a teenager, Atkins drifted through various jobs and social circles in California. During the late 1960s she became involved in the counterculture environment that was flourishing in areas such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was during this period that she encountered Charles Manson, a charismatic ex-convict who had begun gathering a group of followers who would eventually become known as the Manson Family. Manson exerted a strong psychological influence over his followers. Through manipulation, isolation, drug use, and ideological control, he created a communal group that revolved around his authority. Atkins quickly became one of Manson’s most devoted followers and adopted the nickname “Sadie Mae Glutz” within the group. In July 1969 Atkins participated in the murder of Gary Hinman, a musician who had become acquainted with members of the Manson Family. The killing occurred during a violent confrontation in which Hinman was held captive for several days before being murdered. This crime became one of the first murders connected to the Manson Family. Only weeks later, on the night of August 8–9, 1969, Atkins joined Charles “Tex” Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Linda Kasabian in carrying out the murders at the home of actress Sharon Tate in Los Angeles. The group had been instructed by Manson to commit the killings as part of his apocalyptic vision known as “Helter Skelter,” which he believed would trigger a race war. During the attack, five people were murdered inside the residence: Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent. The brutality of the crime scene shocked investigators and the public. Atkins later admitted during testimony that she had personally participated in the killing of Sharon Tate. The following night, other members of the Manson Family committed another set of murders, killing Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in their home. Although Atkins was not present for the LaBianca murders, the crimes were closely linked as part of the broader series of killings directed by Manson. The investigation into the murders eventually led authorities to members of the Manson Family. Atkins was arrested later in 1969 and initially discussed details of the murders with fellow inmates while in jail. These statements later became key evidence during the investigation. Atkins was tried alongside Charles Manson, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten in one of the most widely publicized trials in American history. The trial attracted massive media attention due to the shocking nature of the crimes and the bizarre behavior displayed by Manson and his followers in the courtroom. In 1971 Atkins was convicted of multiple counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. She was sentenced to death, but her sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment when the California Supreme Court temporarily abolished the death penalty in 1972. During her decades in prison, Atkins claimed to have undergone a religious conversion and expressed remorse for her role in the murders. She became involved in Christian ministry programs within the prison system and maintained that she had fundamentally changed from the person she had been during the late 1960s. Despite her claims of rehabilitation, Atkins was repeatedly denied parole due to the extreme brutality of the crimes and the lasting impact on the victims’ families. Her case continued to generate public interest for decades as one of the most notorious criminal cases in American history. Susan Atkins remained incarcerated for the remainder of her life. She died on September 24, 2009, at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla after suffering from brain cancer. The Tate-LaBianca murders remain one of the most shocking crime events in American history. Atkins’ role in the killings ensured that her name would remain permanently associated with the Manson Family and the tragic events that took place in Los Angeles in 1969.

Tamika Chesser became the focus of one of Australia’s most shocking criminal investigations after being charged over the alleged murder and dismemberment of her partner in South Australia in 2025. The former reality television contestant and model was accused of killing her boyfriend, Julian Story, inside their Port Lincoln home before allegedly attempting to burn and conceal parts of his remains. The gruesome allegations generated intense national media attention due to Chesser’s past appearance on Australian television and the disturbing details surrounding the case. Investigators described the crime scene as confronting and complex, while reports surrounding Chesser’s mental state, alleged psychosis and detention inside a psychiatric facility added further controversy and public fascination to the investigation.

Tracy Jones became known in Georgia criminal cases after being convicted in the 2012 murder of Gale Spencer during a home invasion robbery in Macon, Georgia. Prosecutors alleged Jones acted alongside three co-defendants during the fatal robbery. The case generated local media attention because multiple offenders participated in the violent crime. Authorities later secured convictions against all four individuals connected to Spencer’s killing. Jones ultimately received a life sentence for the homicide.