Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels

Elizabeth Bathory murdered 600 servants and bathed in their blood. At least, that’s how the story goes. In the final episode of “Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels,” we explore “Bloodthirsty Babes,” the women who kill just for the thrill of it. What makes this kind of story particularly attention-grabbing? Why are we especially shocked and fascinated by women who seem to enjoy their crimes? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of the “Bloodthirsty Babe,” presented by CBS All Access.

Elizabeth Gurian is a criminologist, homicide researcher and associate professor of criminal justice and criminology at Norwich University.

Helen Gavin is a lecturer at the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. She is co-author of the book “Female Aggression.”

Dawn Pflugradt is a psychologist specialized in forensic assessment and ethics. She's published several peer reviewed articles on violent female offenders, and is an associate professor at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology.

Belinda Morrissey is the author of When Women Kill: Questions of Agency and Subjectivity. She is a media theorist and lecturer of literature and media studies at the Federation University Australia.

Susana Vargas Cervantes is the author of The Little Old Lady Killer: The Sensationalized Crimes of Mexico's First Female Serial Killer. She is a Fulbright Fellow at Columbia University.

Mary Pearcey was deeply in love with her flame Frank Hogg. But Frank? He ended up marrying his steady girlfriend, Phoebe. Mary’s jealousy overcame her. Before long, Mary killed Frank’s wife and child. Stories of “Jealous Lovers” occupy pop culture, but what does this story archetype tell us about the real crimes that occur by women in love triangles? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of the “Jealous Lover,” presented by CBS All Access.

Sarah Beth Hopton is an assistant professor at Appalachian State University, and author of 'Woman at the Devil's Door: The Untold True Story of the Hampstead Murderess."

Joni Johnston is a forensic psychologist and host of "Unmasking a Murderer." She works with the California Parole Board to evaluate offenders' mental health.

The song goes, “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother 40 whacks,” but how much truth is behind the tune? Although she was never convicted, Borden’s alleged crimes — murdering her stepmother and father — continue to haunt us. Was she an ordinary girl caught in an extraordinary situation? Or was she what society labeled her: a “Woman Who Snapped”? In this episode, the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests unpack the intrigue, psychology and history behind the “Woman Who Snapped” label, presented by CBS All Access.

Dr. Stefani Koorey is a historian and editor of the Lizzie Andrew Borden Virtual Museum and Library. Dr. Helen Gavin is a psychologist and professor at the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. She is co-author of the book Female Aggression. Dr. Anna Motz is a clinical psychologist in the United Kingdom, who often works with violent female offenders. She wrote the book Psychology of Female Violence: Crimes Against the Body.

She killed her husband for his insurance payout. Then she killed her next husband. And the next. And the next. Eventually, Belle Gunness received the label “Black Widow,” a name given to a woman driven to kill her lovers for financial gain. But to what extent does the “Black Widow” archetype capture the bloody details of the Gunness story? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer and notable guests as they unpack the intrigue, psychology and history of “Black Widow” killers, presented by CBS All Access.

Richard Lindberg is a historian and author of Heartland Serial Killers: Belle Gunness, Johann Hoch, and Murder for Profit in Gaslight Era Chicago. Marissa Harrison is an Associate Professor of Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education at Penn State Harrisburg. James R. Fitzgerald is a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and Criminal Profiler and author of his memoir series A Journey Into the Center of the Mind.

What drives a woman to kill? And why are female killers often labeled as “The Black Widow,” “Jealous Lover” or Bonnie to someone’s Clyde? Join the true crime writer Tori Telfer as she explores the truth behind homicides perpetrated by women. Welcome to “Why Women Kill: Truth, Lies and Labels,” presented by CBS All Access.