Blanche Taylor Moore
Serial Poisoning Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Alamance County, North Carolina
TIME PERIOD
1968-1989
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
Blanche Taylor Moore, born February 17, 1933, in Concord, North Carolina, is a convicted murderer currently on death row for the poisoning death of her boyfriend, Dwight Moore, on May 5, 1986, in Alamance County. She is also implicated in the deaths of her father, mother-in-law, and first husband, as well as the attempted murder of her second husband in 1989. Moore was apprehended on July 18, 1989, and is presently incarcerated at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women. Significant evidence against her includes toxicological findings that revealed the presence of arsenic in the victims, alongside a pattern of suspicious deaths surrounding her relationships. The case remains unresolved as she awaits execution.
Blanche Taylor Moore is believed to have poisoned multiple individuals, including her father, mother-in-law, and first husband, leading many to speculate that she may be a serial killer. Some investigators theorize that her methods of murder involved using poison, which allowed her to evade immediate suspicion. Additionally, there are suspicions surrounding the circumstances of her second husband's near-fatal poisoning, suggesting a pattern of targeting those close to her for financial gain or other motives.
The Story of Blanche Taylor Moore: A Deadly Tale of Deception
A Southern Belle's Dark Secrets
Blanche Taylor Moore, born Blanche Kiser on February 17, 1933, in Concord, North Carolina, is a name that casts a long shadow over the rolling hills of Alamance County. Known for her charm and devout religious demeanor, Moore's life was anything but ordinary. Today, she sits on death row, convicted of poisoning her boyfriend in 1986. But this case, as chilling as it is, may be just one chapter in a much longer story of death and deceit.
Early Life: From Pious Roots to Prostitution
Blanche was the daughter of Parker Davis Kiser, a millworker and ordained Baptist minister, and Flonnie Blanche Kiser (née Honeycutt). Her childhood was marred by her father's vices. He was a womanizer, an alcoholic, and, as Moore would later claim, a man who forced her into prostitution to settle his gambling debts. Parker Kiser died in 1966, supposedly of a heart attack, but suspicions lingered. Blanche's youth was a paradox; she was known for seamlessly switching from quoting scripture to discussing sexually explicit topics.
Love, Betrayal, and Death
The twists and turns of Moore's life are as intricate as a Southern gothic novel. On May 29, 1952, she married James Napoleon Taylor, a Korean War veteran and furniture restorer. They had two children, one born in 1953 and the other in 1959. By 1954, Moore began working at Kroger, climbing the ranks to become the head cashier by 1959—the highest position available to women at the time.
Her life took a pivotal turn in 1962 when she embarked on an affair with Raymond Reid, the store manager. Despite this affair, she remained with Taylor until his untimely death on October 2, 1973, which was attributed to a heart attack, echoing her father's mysterious demise seven years earlier.
Following Taylor's death, Moore and Reid's relationship went public. However, by 1985, the romance had soured. Moore began seeing Robert J. Hutton, the regional manager for the Piedmont Triad area. This relationship ended dramatically with Moore filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against Hutton and Kroger. The lawsuit was settled out of court for $275,000, and Hutton was forced to resign. It was during this turbulent period that Moore accused an unknown "pervert" of setting two fires at her mobile home.
A Pastor's Wife with Deadly Intentions
In a twist of fate fitting for a crime story, Moore met Dwight Moore, a divorced pastor at the Carolina United Church of Christ, on Easter Sunday. Their relationship blossomed over shared meals, albeit in secrecy due to the lawsuit against Kroger. During this time, she asked Dwight to acquire arsenic-based ant killer for her.
Reid's health took a turn for the worse in 1986, initially diagnosed as shingles. Hospitalized in April, he died on October 7, with doctors attributing his death to Guillain–Barré syndrome. With Reid out of the picture, Moore and Dwight began seeing each other openly. Yet, their plans to marry were delayed by her diagnosis of breast cancer in 1987. They eventually wed on April 19, 1989, but the honeymoon was short-lived. Dwight fell gravely ill after consuming a chicken sandwich Moore had given him.
The Investigation: Unraveling a Web of Poison
Dwight's condition worsened rapidly. On April 28, 1989, he was admitted to Alamance County Hospital and subsequently transferred between several hospitals as his health deteriorated. Dwight mentioned working with herbicides, prompting doctors to order a toxicology screen. The results, returned on March 13, revealed an astonishing 20 times the lethal dose of arsenic in his system—the highest the hospital had ever seen in a living patient.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and hospital authorities alerted police. Dwight recalled Moore's former boyfriend dying of a condition mimicking arsenic poisoning. Investigators soon discovered Moore's attempts to alter Dwight's pension, making herself the main beneficiary. These revelations led to the exhumation of Taylor, Reid, and Moore's father. Autopsies revealed fatal arsenic levels in Taylor and Reid, transforming their deaths into murder cases.
The Trial: A Dance with Justice
Blanche Taylor Moore's trial commenced in Winston-Salem on October 21, 1990. Despite her denials, the state presented 53 witnesses who contradicted her claims. The Reid family had sued Baptist Hospital for malpractice, uncovering that Moore, as executor of Reid's estate, had concealed the toxicology results. This fraudulent concealment nullified the statute of limitations for wrongful death, allowing the case to proceed.
The Forsyth County district attorney's office and the Reid family attorneys collaborated to gather evidence against Moore. Unlike in criminal cases, civil law provides more flexibility for searches and subpoenas, aiding the prosecution.
On November 14, 1990, the jury found Moore guilty. Three days later, they recommended the death penalty, a sentence affirmed by the judge on January 18, 1991. Moore, prisoner #0288088, remains at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, her execution stayed by ongoing appeals.
Life Behind Bars and Ongoing Battles
Incarcerated, Moore has taken to writing music and poetry. Her health has demanded chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite these challenges, she maintains her innocence. In 2010, Moore, alongside 11 other death row inmates from Forsyth County, challenged their sentences under the Racial Justice Act, citing racial biases in jury selection. Dwight expressed no objections to his ex-wife's attempts to overturn her death sentence.
Cultural Reflections: Books and Media
Blanche Taylor Moore's story has captivated audiences beyond the courtroom. Jim Schutze's 1993 book, "Preacher's Girl," delves into her life and crimes, suggesting she may have fabricated the sexual harassment claims against Hutton and set the fires herself. That same year, Elizabeth Montgomery portrayed Moore in the television film "Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story." Her notorious acts have been featured in various documentaries, including "The New Detectives," "Evil Lives Here," and Netflix's "Poisonous Liaisons."
Sources
To explore more about Blanche Taylor Moore, visit her Wikipedia page.
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Boyfriend Dies
Raymond Reid dies, initially diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Marriage to Dwight Moore
Blanche Taylor Moore marries Dwight Moore shortly after returning from honeymoon.
Dwight Hospitalized
Dwight Moore is hospitalized after severe illness linked to arsenic poisoning.
Arrest of Blanche Moore
Blanche Taylor Moore is arrested and charged with first-degree murder and assault.
Trial Begins
Trial for Blanche Taylor Moore opens in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Conviction
Blanche Taylor Moore is convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Raymond Reid.
Sentenced to Death
Blanche Taylor Moore is sentenced to death by lethal injection.
Death Row Challenge
Blanche Taylor Moore files a motion to convert her death sentence to life imprisonment.
Blanche Taylor Moore, born February 17, 1933, in Concord, North Carolina, is a convicted murderer currently on death row for the poisoning death of her boyfriend, Dwight Moore, on May 5, 1986, in Alamance County. She is also implicated in the deaths of her father, mother-in-law, and first husband, as well as the attempted murder of her second husband in 1989. Moore was apprehended on July 18, 1989, and is presently incarcerated at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women. Significant evidence against her includes toxicological findings that revealed the presence of arsenic in the victims, alongside a pattern of suspicious deaths surrounding her relationships. The case remains unresolved as she awaits execution.
Blanche Taylor Moore is believed to have poisoned multiple individuals, including her father, mother-in-law, and first husband, leading many to speculate that she may be a serial killer. Some investigators theorize that her methods of murder involved using poison, which allowed her to evade immediate suspicion. Additionally, there are suspicions surrounding the circumstances of her second husband's near-fatal poisoning, suggesting a pattern of targeting those close to her for financial gain or other motives.
The Story of Blanche Taylor Moore: A Deadly Tale of Deception
A Southern Belle's Dark Secrets
Blanche Taylor Moore, born Blanche Kiser on February 17, 1933, in Concord, North Carolina, is a name that casts a long shadow over the rolling hills of Alamance County. Known for her charm and devout religious demeanor, Moore's life was anything but ordinary. Today, she sits on death row, convicted of poisoning her boyfriend in 1986. But this case, as chilling as it is, may be just one chapter in a much longer story of death and deceit.
Early Life: From Pious Roots to Prostitution
Blanche was the daughter of Parker Davis Kiser, a millworker and ordained Baptist minister, and Flonnie Blanche Kiser (née Honeycutt). Her childhood was marred by her father's vices. He was a womanizer, an alcoholic, and, as Moore would later claim, a man who forced her into prostitution to settle his gambling debts. Parker Kiser died in 1966, supposedly of a heart attack, but suspicions lingered. Blanche's youth was a paradox; she was known for seamlessly switching from quoting scripture to discussing sexually explicit topics.
Love, Betrayal, and Death
The twists and turns of Moore's life are as intricate as a Southern gothic novel. On May 29, 1952, she married James Napoleon Taylor, a Korean War veteran and furniture restorer. They had two children, one born in 1953 and the other in 1959. By 1954, Moore began working at Kroger, climbing the ranks to become the head cashier by 1959—the highest position available to women at the time.
Her life took a pivotal turn in 1962 when she embarked on an affair with Raymond Reid, the store manager. Despite this affair, she remained with Taylor until his untimely death on October 2, 1973, which was attributed to a heart attack, echoing her father's mysterious demise seven years earlier.
Following Taylor's death, Moore and Reid's relationship went public. However, by 1985, the romance had soured. Moore began seeing Robert J. Hutton, the regional manager for the Piedmont Triad area. This relationship ended dramatically with Moore filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against Hutton and Kroger. The lawsuit was settled out of court for $275,000, and Hutton was forced to resign. It was during this turbulent period that Moore accused an unknown "pervert" of setting two fires at her mobile home.
A Pastor's Wife with Deadly Intentions
In a twist of fate fitting for a crime story, Moore met Dwight Moore, a divorced pastor at the Carolina United Church of Christ, on Easter Sunday. Their relationship blossomed over shared meals, albeit in secrecy due to the lawsuit against Kroger. During this time, she asked Dwight to acquire arsenic-based ant killer for her.
Reid's health took a turn for the worse in 1986, initially diagnosed as shingles. Hospitalized in April, he died on October 7, with doctors attributing his death to Guillain–Barré syndrome. With Reid out of the picture, Moore and Dwight began seeing each other openly. Yet, their plans to marry were delayed by her diagnosis of breast cancer in 1987. They eventually wed on April 19, 1989, but the honeymoon was short-lived. Dwight fell gravely ill after consuming a chicken sandwich Moore had given him.
The Investigation: Unraveling a Web of Poison
Dwight's condition worsened rapidly. On April 28, 1989, he was admitted to Alamance County Hospital and subsequently transferred between several hospitals as his health deteriorated. Dwight mentioned working with herbicides, prompting doctors to order a toxicology screen. The results, returned on March 13, revealed an astonishing 20 times the lethal dose of arsenic in his system—the highest the hospital had ever seen in a living patient.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and hospital authorities alerted police. Dwight recalled Moore's former boyfriend dying of a condition mimicking arsenic poisoning. Investigators soon discovered Moore's attempts to alter Dwight's pension, making herself the main beneficiary. These revelations led to the exhumation of Taylor, Reid, and Moore's father. Autopsies revealed fatal arsenic levels in Taylor and Reid, transforming their deaths into murder cases.
The Trial: A Dance with Justice
Blanche Taylor Moore's trial commenced in Winston-Salem on October 21, 1990. Despite her denials, the state presented 53 witnesses who contradicted her claims. The Reid family had sued Baptist Hospital for malpractice, uncovering that Moore, as executor of Reid's estate, had concealed the toxicology results. This fraudulent concealment nullified the statute of limitations for wrongful death, allowing the case to proceed.
The Forsyth County district attorney's office and the Reid family attorneys collaborated to gather evidence against Moore. Unlike in criminal cases, civil law provides more flexibility for searches and subpoenas, aiding the prosecution.
On November 14, 1990, the jury found Moore guilty. Three days later, they recommended the death penalty, a sentence affirmed by the judge on January 18, 1991. Moore, prisoner #0288088, remains at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women, her execution stayed by ongoing appeals.
Life Behind Bars and Ongoing Battles
Incarcerated, Moore has taken to writing music and poetry. Her health has demanded chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Despite these challenges, she maintains her innocence. In 2010, Moore, alongside 11 other death row inmates from Forsyth County, challenged their sentences under the Racial Justice Act, citing racial biases in jury selection. Dwight expressed no objections to his ex-wife's attempts to overturn her death sentence.
Cultural Reflections: Books and Media
Blanche Taylor Moore's story has captivated audiences beyond the courtroom. Jim Schutze's 1993 book, "Preacher's Girl," delves into her life and crimes, suggesting she may have fabricated the sexual harassment claims against Hutton and set the fires herself. That same year, Elizabeth Montgomery portrayed Moore in the television film "Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story." Her notorious acts have been featured in various documentaries, including "The New Detectives," "Evil Lives Here," and Netflix's "Poisonous Liaisons."
Sources
To explore more about Blanche Taylor Moore, visit her 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...
Boyfriend Dies
Raymond Reid dies, initially diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome.
Marriage to Dwight Moore
Blanche Taylor Moore marries Dwight Moore shortly after returning from honeymoon.
Dwight Hospitalized
Dwight Moore is hospitalized after severe illness linked to arsenic poisoning.
Arrest of Blanche Moore
Blanche Taylor Moore is arrested and charged with first-degree murder and assault.
Trial Begins
Trial for Blanche Taylor Moore opens in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Conviction
Blanche Taylor Moore is convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Raymond Reid.
Sentenced to Death
Blanche Taylor Moore is sentenced to death by lethal injection.
Death Row Challenge
Blanche Taylor Moore files a motion to convert her death sentence to life imprisonment.