Constance Fisher
Child Murderer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Maine, United States
TIME PERIOD
1954-1966
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
The case involves Constance Margaret Fisher, an American serial killer diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, who murdered three of her children in Maine on March 8, 1954. Following her initial crimes, she was committed to Augusta State Hospital but was released after several years, only to kill three more children in 1966. Fisher was deemed unfit to stand trial and was not convicted, instead receiving an involuntary commitment. She escaped from the hospital in 1973 but died shortly thereafter in an accident. Significant evidence includes a suicide note in which Fisher claimed to have acted on divine orders to "save" her children from evil.
Constance Fisher is believed to have been driven by severe mental illness, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, which contributed to her actions. Some speculate that her unstable upbringing and feelings of abandonment may have exacerbated her psychological issues, leading to her tragic decisions. Additionally, there is a theory that her repeated acts of violence were a misguided attempt to protect her children from perceived dangers, reflecting a distorted sense of reality influenced by her mental state.
The Tragic Tale of Constance Fisher: A Mother's Descent into Madness
Constance Margaret Fisher, born Constance Sirois on March 26, 1929, in Oakland, Maine, is one of the most haunting figures in American true crime history. Her life, marked by tragedy and mental illness, is a chilling reminder of the complexities and failures in dealing with mental health issues. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Constance's story unfolds through two separate incidents where she killed her children—each twelve years apart—ensuring her place in the annals of American crime.
Early Life and Marriage
Constance's early life began with abandonment by her birth parents, only to be adopted by the Sirois family. Neighbors in her community remembered her as a "pretty and nice girl," though they also noted her moodiness. At the tender age of 17, she married Carl Marion Fisher, a World War II veteran seven years her senior, who worked at a car shop in the Maine Central Railroad. Together, they settled in a small home in Waterville, Maine, where they started their family with three children: Richard (born 1947), Daniel (born 1948), and Deborah Kay (born 1953).
Despite the semblance of a normal life, Constance battled with anxiety and depression. Her constant worries about her children, financial strain, and their cramped living conditions took a toll on her mental health. Her struggles were not without consequence, as she attempted suicide at least once during this period.
The First Tragedy
The morning of March 8, 1954, was like any other until it turned into a nightmare for Carl Fisher. Returning from work, he found his home locked. Sensing something was amiss, he enlisted the help of Dr. Richard Chasse, who had been treating Constance for depression. Together, they broke down the door. Inside, Carl discovered his children Daniel and Deborah, appearing to be peacefully asleep but were, in fact, lifeless in their beds. The horror deepened when he found his eldest son Richard drowned in the bathtub.
In a frantic search for his wife, Carl found Constance unconscious, having attempted suicide by ingesting liquid shampoo. Near her, a suicide note revealed her motivation: she believed she was saving her children from evil, a directive she claimed came from God.
Institutionalization and Temporary Release
Constance's arrest followed swiftly, yet the community was stunned by the notion that such a "nice girl" could commit such a heinous act. A forensic psychiatric examination determined she was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, rendering her unfit to stand trial. Instead, she was committed to the Augusta State Hospital. There, she recounted her actions with chilling clarity, explaining her desire for someone to care for her as she had for her children. Her treatment included insulin injections and high doses of hormones, sometimes causing seizures.
By 1955, Constance showed signs of improvement, no longer plagued by auditory hallucinations. Despite her progress, her husband Carl's efforts to secure her release were initially denied. However, a national movement towards deinstitutionalizing mental patients led to her release into Carl's custody on March 6, 1959. The family moved to a new home in Fairfield, Maine, where they welcomed three more children: Kathleen Louise (born 1960), Michael Jon (born 1962), and Natalie Rose (born 1965).
The Second Tragedy
On June 30, 1966, history repeated itself in the most tragic way. Carl returned home to find nine-month-old Natalie drowned in the bathtub. In a panic, he dashed to neighbor Howard Wood's home to call the police. The responding officers found the bodies of Michael and Kathleen, eerily similar to the first incident, tucked into their beds. Constance, once again, was found unconscious from a suicide attempt, this time due to an overdose of pills.
The press dubbed it a "duplication of tragedy," and Constance was taken to Thayer Hospital in Waterville to recover. Upon her release, she faced charges of murder, and deliberations were held in Skowhegan, with the decision to try her in Kennebec County.
Legal Proceedings and Final Commitment
During her arraignment, Attorney General Richard Dubord opted against seeking psychiatric treatment for Constance, appointing George W. Perkins as her attorney. Psychiatric evaluations by Dr. Price Kirkpatrick suggested that her failure to take medication properly contributed to her depressive episodes. Despite the prosecution's efforts, Constance's defense successfully argued for her insanity. Consequently, she was again committed to Augusta State Hospital for life.
Escape and Death
For years, Constance adapted well to life at the hospital, until a pivotal moment on October 1, 1973, when Carl decided to cease visiting her, overwhelmed by grief. Shortly after, Constance escaped from the hospital, prompting a widespread search. Tragically, on October 9, her body was discovered by duck hunters in the Kennebec River near Gardiner. The autopsy confirmed her identity, ruling her death an accidental drowning, likely occurring the day of her escape.
Constance's death sparked criticism from Roy Ettlinger, the hospital's superintendent, particularly concerning the use of milieu therapy, which he believed increased the risk of suicide among patients. Constance Fisher's body was laid to rest in the family plot in Waterville, where Carl joined her upon his death in 1990, alongside their six children.
The story of Constance Fisher serves as a haunting testament to the struggles of mental illness, the inadequacies of the mental health system of the time, and the tragic cycle of violence and despair that can ensue.
Sources
- Mara Bovsun (July 19, 2020). "JUSTICE STORY: Mentally ill mother commits same horrific crime twice". New York Daily News.
- "Drowns Victims; Tries To Kill Self; Husband Discovers Tragedy". Bangor Daily News. March 9, 1954.
- "Chaplain Cites Background of Mrs. Fisher". Bangor Daily News. July 2, 1966.
- "Three Fairfield Children Drowned in Duplication Of Tragedy of 12 Years Ago". Sun Journal. July 1, 1966.
- "She duplicates triple murder". Globe Gazette. July 1, 1966.
- Don Brough (July 6, 1966). "Mrs. Fisher To Get Hospital Observation". Bangor Daily News.
- Don Brough (January 17, 1967). "Judge Rules Mrs. Fisher Competent To Face Trial". Bangor Daily News.
- "Physician Testifies Mrs. Fisher Fully Knew What She Was Doing". Sun Journal. January 18, 1967.
- "Search For Mrs. Fisher Continues". Sun Journal. October 4, 1973.
- "Maine woman found drowned". The Boston Globe. October 9, 1973.
- Jack Aley (October 10, 1973). "Mental Patient's Suicide Tendency Cited By Ettlinger". Sun Journal.
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First Murders Committed
Constance Fisher drowns her three children in Maine.
Constance Arrested
Constance is found unconscious after a suicide attempt and arrested for the murders.
Released from Hospital
Constance Fisher is released from Augusta State Hospital after four years of treatment.
Second Murders Committed
Constance drowns her three more children, mirroring her previous crimes.
Constance Apprehended
Constance is found unconscious after another suicide attempt and is apprehended by police.
Competency Hearing
Court rules Constance competent to stand trial for the murders of her three children.
Trial Proceedings
Constance pleads not guilty by reason of insanity during her trial.
Escape from Hospital
Constance escapes from Augusta State Hospital but drowns shortly after.
Body Discovered
Constance's body is found in the Kennebec River, ruled an accidental drowning.
The case involves Constance Margaret Fisher, an American serial killer diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, who murdered three of her children in Maine on March 8, 1954. Following her initial crimes, she was committed to Augusta State Hospital but was released after several years, only to kill three more children in 1966. Fisher was deemed unfit to stand trial and was not convicted, instead receiving an involuntary commitment. She escaped from the hospital in 1973 but died shortly thereafter in an accident. Significant evidence includes a suicide note in which Fisher claimed to have acted on divine orders to "save" her children from evil.
Constance Fisher is believed to have been driven by severe mental illness, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, which contributed to her actions. Some speculate that her unstable upbringing and feelings of abandonment may have exacerbated her psychological issues, leading to her tragic decisions. Additionally, there is a theory that her repeated acts of violence were a misguided attempt to protect her children from perceived dangers, reflecting a distorted sense of reality influenced by her mental state.
The Tragic Tale of Constance Fisher: A Mother's Descent into Madness
Constance Margaret Fisher, born Constance Sirois on March 26, 1929, in Oakland, Maine, is one of the most haunting figures in American true crime history. Her life, marked by tragedy and mental illness, is a chilling reminder of the complexities and failures in dealing with mental health issues. Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Constance's story unfolds through two separate incidents where she killed her children—each twelve years apart—ensuring her place in the annals of American crime.
Early Life and Marriage
Constance's early life began with abandonment by her birth parents, only to be adopted by the Sirois family. Neighbors in her community remembered her as a "pretty and nice girl," though they also noted her moodiness. At the tender age of 17, she married Carl Marion Fisher, a World War II veteran seven years her senior, who worked at a car shop in the Maine Central Railroad. Together, they settled in a small home in Waterville, Maine, where they started their family with three children: Richard (born 1947), Daniel (born 1948), and Deborah Kay (born 1953).
Despite the semblance of a normal life, Constance battled with anxiety and depression. Her constant worries about her children, financial strain, and their cramped living conditions took a toll on her mental health. Her struggles were not without consequence, as she attempted suicide at least once during this period.
The First Tragedy
The morning of March 8, 1954, was like any other until it turned into a nightmare for Carl Fisher. Returning from work, he found his home locked. Sensing something was amiss, he enlisted the help of Dr. Richard Chasse, who had been treating Constance for depression. Together, they broke down the door. Inside, Carl discovered his children Daniel and Deborah, appearing to be peacefully asleep but were, in fact, lifeless in their beds. The horror deepened when he found his eldest son Richard drowned in the bathtub.
In a frantic search for his wife, Carl found Constance unconscious, having attempted suicide by ingesting liquid shampoo. Near her, a suicide note revealed her motivation: she believed she was saving her children from evil, a directive she claimed came from God.
Institutionalization and Temporary Release
Constance's arrest followed swiftly, yet the community was stunned by the notion that such a "nice girl" could commit such a heinous act. A forensic psychiatric examination determined she was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, rendering her unfit to stand trial. Instead, she was committed to the Augusta State Hospital. There, she recounted her actions with chilling clarity, explaining her desire for someone to care for her as she had for her children. Her treatment included insulin injections and high doses of hormones, sometimes causing seizures.
By 1955, Constance showed signs of improvement, no longer plagued by auditory hallucinations. Despite her progress, her husband Carl's efforts to secure her release were initially denied. However, a national movement towards deinstitutionalizing mental patients led to her release into Carl's custody on March 6, 1959. The family moved to a new home in Fairfield, Maine, where they welcomed three more children: Kathleen Louise (born 1960), Michael Jon (born 1962), and Natalie Rose (born 1965).
The Second Tragedy
On June 30, 1966, history repeated itself in the most tragic way. Carl returned home to find nine-month-old Natalie drowned in the bathtub. In a panic, he dashed to neighbor Howard Wood's home to call the police. The responding officers found the bodies of Michael and Kathleen, eerily similar to the first incident, tucked into their beds. Constance, once again, was found unconscious from a suicide attempt, this time due to an overdose of pills.
The press dubbed it a "duplication of tragedy," and Constance was taken to Thayer Hospital in Waterville to recover. Upon her release, she faced charges of murder, and deliberations were held in Skowhegan, with the decision to try her in Kennebec County.
Legal Proceedings and Final Commitment
During her arraignment, Attorney General Richard Dubord opted against seeking psychiatric treatment for Constance, appointing George W. Perkins as her attorney. Psychiatric evaluations by Dr. Price Kirkpatrick suggested that her failure to take medication properly contributed to her depressive episodes. Despite the prosecution's efforts, Constance's defense successfully argued for her insanity. Consequently, she was again committed to Augusta State Hospital for life.
Escape and Death
For years, Constance adapted well to life at the hospital, until a pivotal moment on October 1, 1973, when Carl decided to cease visiting her, overwhelmed by grief. Shortly after, Constance escaped from the hospital, prompting a widespread search. Tragically, on October 9, her body was discovered by duck hunters in the Kennebec River near Gardiner. The autopsy confirmed her identity, ruling her death an accidental drowning, likely occurring the day of her escape.
Constance's death sparked criticism from Roy Ettlinger, the hospital's superintendent, particularly concerning the use of milieu therapy, which he believed increased the risk of suicide among patients. Constance Fisher's body was laid to rest in the family plot in Waterville, where Carl joined her upon his death in 1990, alongside their six children.
The story of Constance Fisher serves as a haunting testament to the struggles of mental illness, the inadequacies of the mental health system of the time, and the tragic cycle of violence and despair that can ensue.
Sources
- Mara Bovsun (July 19, 2020). "JUSTICE STORY: Mentally ill mother commits same horrific crime twice". New York Daily News.
- "Drowns Victims; Tries To Kill Self; Husband Discovers Tragedy". Bangor Daily News. March 9, 1954.
- "Chaplain Cites Background of Mrs. Fisher". Bangor Daily News. July 2, 1966.
- "Three Fairfield Children Drowned in Duplication Of Tragedy of 12 Years Ago". Sun Journal. July 1, 1966.
- "She duplicates triple murder". Globe Gazette. July 1, 1966.
- Don Brough (July 6, 1966). "Mrs. Fisher To Get Hospital Observation". Bangor Daily News.
- Don Brough (January 17, 1967). "Judge Rules Mrs. Fisher Competent To Face Trial". Bangor Daily News.
- "Physician Testifies Mrs. Fisher Fully Knew What She Was Doing". Sun Journal. January 18, 1967.
- "Search For Mrs. Fisher Continues". Sun Journal. October 4, 1973.
- "Maine woman found drowned". The Boston Globe. October 9, 1973.
- Jack Aley (October 10, 1973). "Mental Patient's Suicide Tendency Cited By Ettlinger". Sun Journal.
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
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First Murders Committed
Constance Fisher drowns her three children in Maine.
Constance Arrested
Constance is found unconscious after a suicide attempt and arrested for the murders.
Released from Hospital
Constance Fisher is released from Augusta State Hospital after four years of treatment.
Second Murders Committed
Constance drowns her three more children, mirroring her previous crimes.
Constance Apprehended
Constance is found unconscious after another suicide attempt and is apprehended by police.
Competency Hearing
Court rules Constance competent to stand trial for the murders of her three children.
Trial Proceedings
Constance pleads not guilty by reason of insanity during her trial.
Escape from Hospital
Constance escapes from Augusta State Hospital but drowns shortly after.
Body Discovered
Constance's body is found in the Kennebec River, ruled an accidental drowning.