Overview

The infamous poisoner, Daisy Louisa de Melker (née Hancorn-Smith) was born on 1 July 1886 near Grahamstown. Daisy was charged with the murder of her two previous husbands and her son. Her trial began in October 1932 before Judge Greenberg in Johannesburg. Daisy was not found guilty of the murder of her two previous husbands, but she was found guilty of the murder of her son. On 30 December 1932, Daisy was hanged in Pretoria Central Prison, without ever pleading guilty or showing any remorse. Daisy was the second woman in South Africa to be hanged.