Vanessa Richardson

due to the nature of this case listener discretion is advised this episode includes discussions of murder consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen By the time her story ended, Mary Bateman was known by another name, the Yorkshire Witch.

due to the nature of this case listener discretion is advised this episode includes discussions of murder consider this when deciding how and when you'll listen By the time her story ended, Mary Bateman was known by another name, the Yorkshire Witch.

And though many women throughout history were persecuted for being witches, we now know that it was unlikely any of them were actually practicing witchcraft. But what about Mary Bateman? If she wasn't a real witch, she certainly wasn't innocent by any stretch of the imagination. She lured her victims in, bled them dry, then cast them aside without a second thought.

And though many women throughout history were persecuted for being witches, we now know that it was unlikely any of them were actually practicing witchcraft. But what about Mary Bateman? If she wasn't a real witch, she certainly wasn't innocent by any stretch of the imagination. She lured her victims in, bled them dry, then cast them aside without a second thought.

And before long, her schemes became deadly. I'm Vanessa Richardson, and this is Serial Killers, a Spotify podcast. You can find us here every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at Serial Killers Podcast. We'd love to hear from you. If you're listening on the Spotify app, swipe up and give us your thoughts.

And before long, her schemes became deadly. I'm Vanessa Richardson, and this is Serial Killers, a Spotify podcast. You can find us here every Monday. Be sure to check us out on Instagram at Serial Killers Podcast. We'd love to hear from you. If you're listening on the Spotify app, swipe up and give us your thoughts.

This week, we're concluding our story on Mary Bateman, also known as the Yorkshire Witch. We'll dive into Mary's dabble into poison and the doomsday plot that angered an entire city. Stay with us. In 1803, England was plagued by a major societal shift, the Industrial Revolution. Cities boomed before housing could accommodate rising populations.

This week, we're concluding our story on Mary Bateman, also known as the Yorkshire Witch. We'll dive into Mary's dabble into poison and the doomsday plot that angered an entire city. Stay with us. In 1803, England was plagued by a major societal shift, the Industrial Revolution. Cities boomed before housing could accommodate rising populations.

Factories went largely unregulated and workers' rights were practically non-existent. Not that many people were paying attention to their rights as employees. Most people were grateful for any job they could get. The lower classes were hard hit by growing gaps in the social caste, which kept them from living truly comfortable existences.

Factories went largely unregulated and workers' rights were practically non-existent. Not that many people were paying attention to their rights as employees. Most people were grateful for any job they could get. The lower classes were hard hit by growing gaps in the social caste, which kept them from living truly comfortable existences.

Many accepted their grim lot in life, sometimes reduced to scouring trash bins for extra food when times were especially tough. Still, others saw petty crime as a way to deal with scarcity. Among them was 35-year-old Mary Bateman. Her husband John did his best to support their family as a wheelwright, making and repairing wheels for wagons and carriages.

Many accepted their grim lot in life, sometimes reduced to scouring trash bins for extra food when times were especially tough. Still, others saw petty crime as a way to deal with scarcity. Among them was 35-year-old Mary Bateman. Her husband John did his best to support their family as a wheelwright, making and repairing wheels for wagons and carriages.

But even he struggled to bring in a consistent income at times, not to mention Mary and John had several children to feed as well. So it's hardly surprising that Mary resorted to cons for extra cash. It's unclear whether Mary's thievery ever truly benefited her loved ones, but their financial burdens may in part explain her penchant for pilfering.

But even he struggled to bring in a consistent income at times, not to mention Mary and John had several children to feed as well. So it's hardly surprising that Mary resorted to cons for extra cash. It's unclear whether Mary's thievery ever truly benefited her loved ones, but their financial burdens may in part explain her penchant for pilfering.

By 1803, she'd already swindled a handful of people with her ominous fortunes, promising that her magical charms would help people evade tragedy. To legitimize her preposterous claims, she invented a character named Mrs. Moore, who had the gift of divine insight. She'd fooled at least five people with this lie, and one of her schemes even led to an innocent woman's death.

By 1803, she'd already swindled a handful of people with her ominous fortunes, promising that her magical charms would help people evade tragedy. To legitimize her preposterous claims, she invented a character named Mrs. Moore, who had the gift of divine insight. She'd fooled at least five people with this lie, and one of her schemes even led to an innocent woman's death.

Anyone else might have felt something resembling guilt after killing someone, even if it was an accident. Not Mary. She didn't seem the slightest bit remorseful in the wake of the tragedy. It's possible she told herself that the killing had merely been accidental, but even if that was the case, it couldn't have escaped her notice that the death had been somewhat convenient.

Anyone else might have felt something resembling guilt after killing someone, even if it was an accident. Not Mary. She didn't seem the slightest bit remorseful in the wake of the tragedy. It's possible she told herself that the killing had merely been accidental, but even if that was the case, it couldn't have escaped her notice that the death had been somewhat convenient.

All of a sudden, Mary had stumbled upon a new method for shaking off her hapless victims. If the people she stole from were dead, there would be no one around to protest as she picked over and profited from every single one of their belongings. Emboldened by this thought, Mary set out in search of her next target. There was money to be had.

All of a sudden, Mary had stumbled upon a new method for shaking off her hapless victims. If the people she stole from were dead, there would be no one around to protest as she picked over and profited from every single one of their belongings. Emboldened by this thought, Mary set out in search of her next target. There was money to be had.