Leonarda cianciulli biography of michael

Leonarda Cianciulli was an Italian serial killer, known as The Correggio soap-maker, who transformed at least one of her victims into soap. Leonarda was born in in Montella, in the province of Avellino where, despite belonging to a poor family, she lived a quiet childhood. This rift halted all the contact with her mother, and this affected her deeply.

From until , when they settle in Correggio, they moved many times because of rumors about Leonarda:. The evidence of this behavior is written into the various complaints about fraud, violence, and even imprisonment. Leonarda would have four children, but before them she suffered three spontaneous abortions and ten crib deaths, a fate which was predicted by a gypsy that once told her that she would be married and have children, but that none would survive.

Only after meeting with a local witch was it possible to give birth to her four children, who she would have protected at any cost. She decided to open a small furniture and clothing shop to help her husband, and business began to go well.

The Deadly Soap-Maker of Correggio: The True Story of Leonarda Cianciulli a Superstitious Mother Who Turned Victims Into Soaps and Cakes (True Crime.

In , at the outbreak of the war, while her daughter and two children were not at risk, the oldest son risked to be called to the front and this threw Leonarda into total panic. Leonarda was liked by all in the country and she often welcomed and entertained visitors at home with anecdotes and pastries. Among them were three ladies, now tired of their routine, that Leonarda would drop into her trap.

The first victim was Faustina Setti, for whom Leonarda is said to have found a husband for in Pula. She advised her to sell everything, but not say anything to anyone that might arouse suspicion. On the day of her departure Faustina went to see Leonarda, who convinced and helped her to write postcards to friends and relatives in which she said to being fine.

After that, Leonarda killed her with an ax, dragged her into a closet, cut her into nine parts, and drained her blood. She saponify her body then threw the remains in a cesspool, then dried the blood, pulverized it and used it as an ingredient in the tarts that she offered to people.