Anna Marie Hahn
Female Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Cincinnati, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
1933-1937
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Anna Marie Hahn, a German-born American serial killer, murdered five elderly men in Cincinnati, Ohio, between May 6, 1933, and August 1, 1937, using poison to facilitate her crimes. Her first victim was 73-year-old Ernest Koch, who died shortly after befriending Hahn, leaving her a house in his will. Following Koch, she targeted other elderly men, including Albert Parker and Jacob Wagner, whom she poisoned and subsequently profited from their deaths through inheritances and stolen funds. Hahn was apprehended in 1937, convicted of first-degree murder, and executed by electric chair on December 7, 1938, at the Ohio State Penitentiary. Significant evidence included testimonies from her son and financial documents linking her to the victims, which established a clear motive driven by her gambling addiction.
Anna Marie Hahn is theorized to have targeted elderly men in Cincinnati's German community to fund her gambling addiction, using poison as her method of murder. Some speculate that her background and troubled early life, including the unknown identity of her son's father, may have contributed to her criminal behavior. There are also discussions about whether her actions were driven by a desire for financial security or a deeper psychological issue, as she was dubbed "the Blonde Borgia" and "Angel of Mercy" by the media.
The Tale of Anna Marie Hahn: The Blonde Borgia
Anna Marie Hahn, a figure shrouded in the dark allure of true crime lore, was born Anna Marie Filser on July 7, 1906, in the quaint town of Füssen, Bavaria, within the borders of the then German Empire. Her life, which began in a sizable family of twelve siblings, five of whom had already passed before her birth, was marked by intrigue and tragedy. Her father, George Filser, managed to secure a comfortable life for his family through his work as a furniture manufacturer, setting the stage for Anna's tumultuous journey across continents and into infamy.
Early Life and Migration
At the age of 19, Anna's life took a dramatic turn. She became pregnant with her son, Oskar, and spun a tale about the child's father being Dr. Max Matscheki, a reputed Viennese physician and cancer researcher. This mysterious man, however, left no trace in historical records, leaving the true paternity of Oskar a lingering question. The scandal that erupted within the Filser family was significant enough that, in 1929, Anna was sent to the United States, leaving young Oskar in Bavaria with her parents.
Upon arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio, she lived with relatives Max and Anna Doeschel. It was in this new world that she met Philip Hahn, a fellow German immigrant. The couple married in 1930, and Anna briefly returned to Germany to bring Oskar to their new home, starting a family in the vibrant immigrant community of Cincinnati.
The Murders Begin
Between 1933 and 1937, a series of sinister events unfolded within Cincinnati's German community. It was during this time that Anna allegedly began her spree of poisoning and robbing elderly men to fuel a growing gambling addiction. Her first alleged victim was Ernest Koch, also known as Ernst Kohler, a 73-year-old whom she befriended shortly before his death on May 6, 1933. Koch's demise resulted in Anna inheriting a house through his will, marking the beginning of her deadly pattern.
Her next victim, Albert Parker, aged 72, met a swift end under her care. Before his death, Anna had borrowed $1,000 from him, documented by an I.O.U., which mysteriously vanished after Parker's passing. Another elderly gentleman, Jacob Wagner, aged 78, died on June 3, 1937, leaving a substantial $17,000 to Anna, whom he affectionately referred to as his "beloved niece."
Anna didn't stop there. She soon became the caretaker of George Gsellman, a 67-year-old resident of Cincinnati, who died on July 6, 1937. For her services, she received another $17,000, a testament to her persuasive and deadly charm.
Her final victim was Georg Obendoerfer, a 67-year-old cobbler who traveled with Anna and her son to Colorado Springs, Colorado. On August 1, 1937, Obendoerfer died in excruciating pain after Anna allegedly bent over his deathbed, feigning ignorance of his identity. During her trial, Anna's son recounted their journey by train from Cincinnati to Colorado, noting that Obendoerfer began showing symptoms of illness en route.
The Investigation
The death of Obendoerfer raised suspicions among law enforcement officials. A subsequent autopsy revealed lethal levels of arsenic in his system. This discovery prompted the exhumation of two of Anna's previous clients, whose bodies also showed signs of poisoning. With mounting evidence against her, Anna was swiftly arrested and became the prime suspect in these chilling murders.
The Trial and Execution
In November 1937, after a dramatic four-week trial, Anna Marie Hahn was convicted of first-degree murder. The sentence was death by electrocution, and on December 7, 1938, at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, the Blonde Borgia met her end in the electric chair. Her final resting place is Mount Calvary Cemetery in Columbus, where the earth holds the secrets of her dark deeds.
Anna Marie Hahn's story is one woven with deception, greed, and murder, a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity. Her life and crimes continue to captivate and horrify, a true testament to the macabre allure of true crime.
Sources
For further reading and references, please see the following sources:
- Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History by Tori Telfer and Dame Darcy
- The Good-bye Door by Diana Britt Franklin
- "Eine der ersten Frauen auf dem Elektrischen Stuhl: Diese US-Mörderin stammt aus dem Allgäu," Allgäuer-Zeitung, 2023
- "Blonde Borgia: the end of the line," The New Falcon Herald, 2015
- "Anna Marie Hahn," Serial Killer Central, 2005
- "Arsenic Anna: The True Story of Anna Marie Hahn," Crime Library
- "Indictment Will Be Asked Today In 'Poison Plot'," The Daily Times, 1937
- "German Cooking," Time, 1937
- "Mrs. Hahn Begs for Mercy, Then Dies in Electric Chair," Pittsburgh Press, 1938
For a deeper dive into Anna Marie Hahn's life, check the Wikipedia page.
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First Murder Committed
Anna Marie Hahn poisons 73-year-old Ernest Koch, her first victim.
Third Murder Committed
Hahn poisons 78-year-old Jacob Wagner, who leaves her a significant inheritance.
Fourth Murder Committed
Anna Marie Hahn poisons 67-year-old George Gsellman, receiving $17,000.
Last Victim Poisoned
Hahn poisons 67-year-old Georg Obendoerfer during a trip to Colorado.
Arrest Made
Anna Marie Hahn is arrested after suspicions arise from Obendoerfer's autopsy.
Trial Begins
Hahn's trial for the murders begins, lasting four weeks.
Conviction
Anna Marie Hahn is convicted of first-degree murder.
Execution
Anna Marie Hahn is executed by electric chair at Ohio State Penitentiary.
Anna Marie Hahn, a German-born American serial killer, murdered five elderly men in Cincinnati, Ohio, between May 6, 1933, and August 1, 1937, using poison to facilitate her crimes. Her first victim was 73-year-old Ernest Koch, who died shortly after befriending Hahn, leaving her a house in his will. Following Koch, she targeted other elderly men, including Albert Parker and Jacob Wagner, whom she poisoned and subsequently profited from their deaths through inheritances and stolen funds. Hahn was apprehended in 1937, convicted of first-degree murder, and executed by electric chair on December 7, 1938, at the Ohio State Penitentiary. Significant evidence included testimonies from her son and financial documents linking her to the victims, which established a clear motive driven by her gambling addiction.
Anna Marie Hahn is theorized to have targeted elderly men in Cincinnati's German community to fund her gambling addiction, using poison as her method of murder. Some speculate that her background and troubled early life, including the unknown identity of her son's father, may have contributed to her criminal behavior. There are also discussions about whether her actions were driven by a desire for financial security or a deeper psychological issue, as she was dubbed "the Blonde Borgia" and "Angel of Mercy" by the media.
The Tale of Anna Marie Hahn: The Blonde Borgia
Anna Marie Hahn, a figure shrouded in the dark allure of true crime lore, was born Anna Marie Filser on July 7, 1906, in the quaint town of Füssen, Bavaria, within the borders of the then German Empire. Her life, which began in a sizable family of twelve siblings, five of whom had already passed before her birth, was marked by intrigue and tragedy. Her father, George Filser, managed to secure a comfortable life for his family through his work as a furniture manufacturer, setting the stage for Anna's tumultuous journey across continents and into infamy.
Early Life and Migration
At the age of 19, Anna's life took a dramatic turn. She became pregnant with her son, Oskar, and spun a tale about the child's father being Dr. Max Matscheki, a reputed Viennese physician and cancer researcher. This mysterious man, however, left no trace in historical records, leaving the true paternity of Oskar a lingering question. The scandal that erupted within the Filser family was significant enough that, in 1929, Anna was sent to the United States, leaving young Oskar in Bavaria with her parents.
Upon arriving in Cincinnati, Ohio, she lived with relatives Max and Anna Doeschel. It was in this new world that she met Philip Hahn, a fellow German immigrant. The couple married in 1930, and Anna briefly returned to Germany to bring Oskar to their new home, starting a family in the vibrant immigrant community of Cincinnati.
The Murders Begin
Between 1933 and 1937, a series of sinister events unfolded within Cincinnati's German community. It was during this time that Anna allegedly began her spree of poisoning and robbing elderly men to fuel a growing gambling addiction. Her first alleged victim was Ernest Koch, also known as Ernst Kohler, a 73-year-old whom she befriended shortly before his death on May 6, 1933. Koch's demise resulted in Anna inheriting a house through his will, marking the beginning of her deadly pattern.
Her next victim, Albert Parker, aged 72, met a swift end under her care. Before his death, Anna had borrowed $1,000 from him, documented by an I.O.U., which mysteriously vanished after Parker's passing. Another elderly gentleman, Jacob Wagner, aged 78, died on June 3, 1937, leaving a substantial $17,000 to Anna, whom he affectionately referred to as his "beloved niece."
Anna didn't stop there. She soon became the caretaker of George Gsellman, a 67-year-old resident of Cincinnati, who died on July 6, 1937. For her services, she received another $17,000, a testament to her persuasive and deadly charm.
Her final victim was Georg Obendoerfer, a 67-year-old cobbler who traveled with Anna and her son to Colorado Springs, Colorado. On August 1, 1937, Obendoerfer died in excruciating pain after Anna allegedly bent over his deathbed, feigning ignorance of his identity. During her trial, Anna's son recounted their journey by train from Cincinnati to Colorado, noting that Obendoerfer began showing symptoms of illness en route.
The Investigation
The death of Obendoerfer raised suspicions among law enforcement officials. A subsequent autopsy revealed lethal levels of arsenic in his system. This discovery prompted the exhumation of two of Anna's previous clients, whose bodies also showed signs of poisoning. With mounting evidence against her, Anna was swiftly arrested and became the prime suspect in these chilling murders.
The Trial and Execution
In November 1937, after a dramatic four-week trial, Anna Marie Hahn was convicted of first-degree murder. The sentence was death by electrocution, and on December 7, 1938, at the Ohio Penitentiary in Columbus, the Blonde Borgia met her end in the electric chair. Her final resting place is Mount Calvary Cemetery in Columbus, where the earth holds the secrets of her dark deeds.
Anna Marie Hahn's story is one woven with deception, greed, and murder, a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity. Her life and crimes continue to captivate and horrify, a true testament to the macabre allure of true crime.
Sources
For further reading and references, please see the following sources:
- Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History by Tori Telfer and Dame Darcy
- The Good-bye Door by Diana Britt Franklin
- "Eine der ersten Frauen auf dem Elektrischen Stuhl: Diese US-Mörderin stammt aus dem Allgäu," Allgäuer-Zeitung, 2023
- "Blonde Borgia: the end of the line," The New Falcon Herald, 2015
- "Anna Marie Hahn," Serial Killer Central, 2005
- "Arsenic Anna: The True Story of Anna Marie Hahn," Crime Library
- "Indictment Will Be Asked Today In 'Poison Plot'," The Daily Times, 1937
- "German Cooking," Time, 1937
- "Mrs. Hahn Begs for Mercy, Then Dies in Electric Chair," Pittsburgh Press, 1938
For a deeper dive into Anna Marie Hahn's life, check the Wikipedia page.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Anna Marie Hahn poisons 73-year-old Ernest Koch, her first victim.
Third Murder Committed
Hahn poisons 78-year-old Jacob Wagner, who leaves her a significant inheritance.
Fourth Murder Committed
Anna Marie Hahn poisons 67-year-old George Gsellman, receiving $17,000.
Last Victim Poisoned
Hahn poisons 67-year-old Georg Obendoerfer during a trip to Colorado.
Arrest Made
Anna Marie Hahn is arrested after suspicions arise from Obendoerfer's autopsy.
Trial Begins
Hahn's trial for the murders begins, lasting four weeks.
Conviction
Anna Marie Hahn is convicted of first-degree murder.
Execution
Anna Marie Hahn is executed by electric chair at Ohio State Penitentiary.