Marie Noe
Child Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
TIME PERIOD
1949-1968
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
Marie Noe, born August 23, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted in June 1999 of murdering eight of her ten children between 1949 and 1968, all of whom died under suspicious circumstances initially attributed to sudden infant death syndrome. The investigation into the deaths was reopened following renewed public interest and scrutiny from a 1997 book and investigative articles, leading to her apprehension in 1998. Noe pleaded guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder and received a sentence of 20 years' probation along with a psychiatric evaluation. She passed away on May 5, 2016, at the age of 87, in Philadelphia, where the crimes took place. Significant evidence included inconsistencies in the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths, which prompted law enforcement to reevaluate the case decades later.
Marie Noe is believed to have intentionally killed her eight children, as all were healthy at birth and developed normally before their deaths. Some speculate that her actions may have stemmed from psychological issues, given her troubled upbringing and the learning difficulties she faced. There are also theories that suggest the possibility of a pattern of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where a caregiver causes illness or injury to a dependent to gain attention or sympathy.
The Tragic Legacy of Marie Noe
In the quiet neighborhoods of Philadelphia, a chilling tale unfolded over two decades. Marie Noe, an American woman, born on August 23, 1928, became a convicted serial killer in June 1999, responsible for the deaths of eight of her ten children. These deaths, which occurred between 1949 and 1968, were initially attributed to sudden infant death syndrome, leaving the community and the medical world puzzled and heartbroken. While two of her children died from natural causes, the deaths of the other eight were anything but natural. In a courtroom admission, Noe pleaded guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years of probation, coupled with a psychiatric examination mandate.
Early Life and Background
Marie Lyddy entered the world in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, born to Ella (née Ackler) and James Lyddy. Her early years were marked by the turmoil of her parents' marriage and a severe bout of scarlet fever at age five, which she later claimed led to her learning difficulties. Her education was cut short when she dropped out as a young teenager to work and care for a niece, whom she raised as her sister.
Marriage and Family Tragedy
Marie met her future husband, Arthur Allen Noe, at a private club in West Kensington. Their whirlwind romance culminated in elopement on June 1, 1948. The couple's life together was shadowed by the tragic deaths of all ten of their children, each passing between the tender ages of five days and 14 months.
Their first child, Richard Allan Noe, was born on March 7, 1949, only to die a month later on April 7. The cycle of life and death continued with Elizabeth Mary Noe, born on September 8, 1950, and deceased by February 17, 1951. Jacqueline Noe followed, passing shortly after her birth on April 23, 1952. Arthur Noe Jr. lived a mere five days in April 1955. Constance Noe survived less than a month in early 1958. Letitia Noe was stillborn in August 1959 due to an umbilical cord knot. Mary Lee Noe lived for six months, succumbing in January 1963. Theresa Noe died in June 1963 from congenital hemorrhagic diathesis. Catherine Ellen Noe and Arthur Joseph Noe completed the list of lost children, both succumbing before their second birthdays.
During the birth of her last child, Marie experienced a uterine rupture, necessitating a hysterectomy, which ended any possibility of further children.
A Spotlight and Renewed Investigation
In 1963, Life magazine featured Marie Noe in a sympathetic article, penned by Mary Cadwalader under pseudonyms to protect the Noes' identities. By then, six of her children had died, casting a shadow over the family.
The case resurfaced in the public eye following the 1997 publication of "The Death of Innocents," detailing similar cases like that of Waneta Hoyt. An investigative piece by Stephen Fried, titled "Cradle to Grave," published in the April 1998 issue of Philadelphia magazine, reinvigorated interest in the mysterious deaths. Fried's findings were handed over to the Philadelphia Police in March 1998, leading to Marie's interrogation. Under questioning, she confessed to suffocating four of her children, though she claimed no memory regarding the deaths of the other four. Subsequently, she faced charges of first-degree murder in August 1998.
Legal Proceedings and Psychiatric Evaluation
A plea deal was struck, resulting in Marie admitting to eight counts of second-degree murder in exchange for a 20-year probation sentence, with the initial five years under house arrest. As part of her plea, Marie underwent a psychiatric evaluation aimed at uncovering the psychological underpinnings of her actions. The 2001 court-filed study diagnosed her with a mixed-personality disorder, revealing traits of avoidant, dependent, narcissistic, histrionic, borderline, paranoid, and antisocial behaviors.
Marie Noe in Popular Culture
Marie Noe's harrowing tale has been immortalized in literature, most notably in John Glatt's "Cradle of Death." Other works, including "Engendered Death: Pennsylvania Women Who Kill" by Joseph W. Laythe and "The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania" by Ron Franscell and Karen B. Valentine, discuss her among other notorious criminals. Even fictional works like Maribeth Fischer's "The Life You Longed For" draw inspiration from Noe's tragic narrative.
Sources
- Fried, Stephen (6 August 2020). "What Happened to Marie Noe, the Philadelphia Mother Who Murdered Eight of Her Babies?" Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- "Police Investigating Deaths of 8 Infants". New York Times. 1998-04-02.
- Fried, Stephen (April 1998). "Cradle to Grave". Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2009-12-29. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- "Charges To Be Filed In Infants' Deaths Marie Noe, 70, Could Be Arrested This Week. Eight Of Her Children Died In Mysterious Circumstances". Philly.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014.
- Laythe, Joseph W. (16 December 2011). Engendered Death. Lexington Books. ISBN 9781611460933.
- "Philadelphia Mother Is Charged With Killing 8 of Her 10 Babies". New York Times. 1999-08-06.
- "Study finds child-killer Noe has combination of disorders". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 2010-02-03.
- Glatt, John (April 2011). Cradle of Death. Macmillan. ISBN 9781429997058.
- Franscell, Ron; Valentine, Karen B. (October 2013). The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania. Globe Pequot. ISBN 9780762788330.
- Laythe, Joseph W. (2011). Engendered Death. Lexington Books. ISBN 9781611460926.
- Fischer, Maribeth (11 March 2008). The Life You Longed For. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743293310.
For further exploration of Marie Noe's story, visit her Wikipedia page.
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First Child Born
Marie Noe gives birth to her first child, Richard Allan Noe.
Eighth Child Dies
Marie Noe's eighth child, Mary Lee Noe, dies at 6 months old.
Case Reinvestigation Begins
Interest in Marie Noe's case is renewed after the publication of a book about another child killer.
Police Investigation Initiated
Stephen Fried turns over investigation results to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Charges Filed
Marie Noe is charged with first-degree murder for the deaths of her children.
Guilty Plea
Marie Noe pleads guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder.
Sentencing
Marie Noe is sentenced to 20 years probation and psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatric Study Filed
A psychiatric study reveals Noe's mixed-personality disorder.
Marie Noe Dies
Marie Noe passes away at the age of 87.
Marie Noe, born August 23, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was convicted in June 1999 of murdering eight of her ten children between 1949 and 1968, all of whom died under suspicious circumstances initially attributed to sudden infant death syndrome. The investigation into the deaths was reopened following renewed public interest and scrutiny from a 1997 book and investigative articles, leading to her apprehension in 1998. Noe pleaded guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder and received a sentence of 20 years' probation along with a psychiatric evaluation. She passed away on May 5, 2016, at the age of 87, in Philadelphia, where the crimes took place. Significant evidence included inconsistencies in the circumstances surrounding the children's deaths, which prompted law enforcement to reevaluate the case decades later.
Marie Noe is believed to have intentionally killed her eight children, as all were healthy at birth and developed normally before their deaths. Some speculate that her actions may have stemmed from psychological issues, given her troubled upbringing and the learning difficulties she faced. There are also theories that suggest the possibility of a pattern of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, where a caregiver causes illness or injury to a dependent to gain attention or sympathy.
The Tragic Legacy of Marie Noe
In the quiet neighborhoods of Philadelphia, a chilling tale unfolded over two decades. Marie Noe, an American woman, born on August 23, 1928, became a convicted serial killer in June 1999, responsible for the deaths of eight of her ten children. These deaths, which occurred between 1949 and 1968, were initially attributed to sudden infant death syndrome, leaving the community and the medical world puzzled and heartbroken. While two of her children died from natural causes, the deaths of the other eight were anything but natural. In a courtroom admission, Noe pleaded guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years of probation, coupled with a psychiatric examination mandate.
Early Life and Background
Marie Lyddy entered the world in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, born to Ella (née Ackler) and James Lyddy. Her early years were marked by the turmoil of her parents' marriage and a severe bout of scarlet fever at age five, which she later claimed led to her learning difficulties. Her education was cut short when she dropped out as a young teenager to work and care for a niece, whom she raised as her sister.
Marriage and Family Tragedy
Marie met her future husband, Arthur Allen Noe, at a private club in West Kensington. Their whirlwind romance culminated in elopement on June 1, 1948. The couple's life together was shadowed by the tragic deaths of all ten of their children, each passing between the tender ages of five days and 14 months.
Their first child, Richard Allan Noe, was born on March 7, 1949, only to die a month later on April 7. The cycle of life and death continued with Elizabeth Mary Noe, born on September 8, 1950, and deceased by February 17, 1951. Jacqueline Noe followed, passing shortly after her birth on April 23, 1952. Arthur Noe Jr. lived a mere five days in April 1955. Constance Noe survived less than a month in early 1958. Letitia Noe was stillborn in August 1959 due to an umbilical cord knot. Mary Lee Noe lived for six months, succumbing in January 1963. Theresa Noe died in June 1963 from congenital hemorrhagic diathesis. Catherine Ellen Noe and Arthur Joseph Noe completed the list of lost children, both succumbing before their second birthdays.
During the birth of her last child, Marie experienced a uterine rupture, necessitating a hysterectomy, which ended any possibility of further children.
A Spotlight and Renewed Investigation
In 1963, Life magazine featured Marie Noe in a sympathetic article, penned by Mary Cadwalader under pseudonyms to protect the Noes' identities. By then, six of her children had died, casting a shadow over the family.
The case resurfaced in the public eye following the 1997 publication of "The Death of Innocents," detailing similar cases like that of Waneta Hoyt. An investigative piece by Stephen Fried, titled "Cradle to Grave," published in the April 1998 issue of Philadelphia magazine, reinvigorated interest in the mysterious deaths. Fried's findings were handed over to the Philadelphia Police in March 1998, leading to Marie's interrogation. Under questioning, she confessed to suffocating four of her children, though she claimed no memory regarding the deaths of the other four. Subsequently, she faced charges of first-degree murder in August 1998.
Legal Proceedings and Psychiatric Evaluation
A plea deal was struck, resulting in Marie admitting to eight counts of second-degree murder in exchange for a 20-year probation sentence, with the initial five years under house arrest. As part of her plea, Marie underwent a psychiatric evaluation aimed at uncovering the psychological underpinnings of her actions. The 2001 court-filed study diagnosed her with a mixed-personality disorder, revealing traits of avoidant, dependent, narcissistic, histrionic, borderline, paranoid, and antisocial behaviors.
Marie Noe in Popular Culture
Marie Noe's harrowing tale has been immortalized in literature, most notably in John Glatt's "Cradle of Death." Other works, including "Engendered Death: Pennsylvania Women Who Kill" by Joseph W. Laythe and "The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania" by Ron Franscell and Karen B. Valentine, discuss her among other notorious criminals. Even fictional works like Maribeth Fischer's "The Life You Longed For" draw inspiration from Noe's tragic narrative.
Sources
- Fried, Stephen (6 August 2020). "What Happened to Marie Noe, the Philadelphia Mother Who Murdered Eight of Her Babies?" Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- "Police Investigating Deaths of 8 Infants". New York Times. 1998-04-02.
- Fried, Stephen (April 1998). "Cradle to Grave". Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 2009-12-29. Retrieved 2008-04-13.
- "Charges To Be Filed In Infants' Deaths Marie Noe, 70, Could Be Arrested This Week. Eight Of Her Children Died In Mysterious Circumstances". Philly.com. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014.
- Laythe, Joseph W. (16 December 2011). Engendered Death. Lexington Books. ISBN 9781611460933.
- "Philadelphia Mother Is Charged With Killing 8 of Her 10 Babies". New York Times. 1999-08-06.
- "Study finds child-killer Noe has combination of disorders". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 2010-02-03.
- Glatt, John (April 2011). Cradle of Death. Macmillan. ISBN 9781429997058.
- Franscell, Ron; Valentine, Karen B. (October 2013). The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Pennsylvania. Globe Pequot. ISBN 9780762788330.
- Laythe, Joseph W. (2011). Engendered Death. Lexington Books. ISBN 9781611460926.
- Fischer, Maribeth (11 March 2008). The Life You Longed For. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9780743293310.
For further exploration of Marie Noe's story, 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...
First Child Born
Marie Noe gives birth to her first child, Richard Allan Noe.
Eighth Child Dies
Marie Noe's eighth child, Mary Lee Noe, dies at 6 months old.
Case Reinvestigation Begins
Interest in Marie Noe's case is renewed after the publication of a book about another child killer.
Police Investigation Initiated
Stephen Fried turns over investigation results to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Charges Filed
Marie Noe is charged with first-degree murder for the deaths of her children.
Guilty Plea
Marie Noe pleads guilty to eight counts of second-degree murder.
Sentencing
Marie Noe is sentenced to 20 years probation and psychiatric evaluation.
Psychiatric Study Filed
A psychiatric study reveals Noe's mixed-personality disorder.
Marie Noe Dies
Marie Noe passes away at the age of 87.