Lydia Sherman

The Derby Poisoner

  Active for 9 years
(1863-1871) in United States

12

CONFIRMED
VICTIMS

12

POSSIBLE
VICTIMS
Jump to:
  1. Summary
  2. Serial Killer Profile
  3. Serial Killer Type
  4. General Information
  5. Characteristics
  6. Childhood
  7. Cognitive Ability
  8. Incarceration
  9. Death
  10. 13 Timeline Events
  11. Serial Killers Active During Spree
  12. Boolean Statistical Questions
  13. 4 Books About Lydia Sherman
  14. 12 External References
  15. Internal References

Lydia Sherman (born Lydia Danbury) an American serial killer known as The Derby Poisoner. Sherman poisoned three of her husbands and eight children in her care, six of which were her own and two step-children. Sherman married Edward Struck, Dennis Hurlburt, and Horatio N. Sherman, all three died from poisoning, Horatio was by accident while trying to poison his children. She had at least seven children with Edward Struck and at least two step-children with Horatio N. Sherman. Sherman was convicted of second-degree murder in 1872. She escaped from Wethersfield State Prison in 1877, recaptured the next day. In 1878, Lydia Sherman died at Wethersfield State Prison from complications with cancer.

Lydia Sherman Serial Killer Profile

Serial Killer Lydia Sherman (aka) The Derby Poisoner, was active for 9 years between 1863-1871, known to have ( 12 confirmed / 12 possible ) victims. This Serial Killer was active in the following countries: United States

Lydia Sherman was born on December 24th 1825 in Brunswick, New Jersey, US. She was raised by orphaned at (Age 9), an uncle until adulthood. Sherman was raised as a only child and had no siblings. Her father, an unnamed man, deceased, Sherman (Age 9). Her mother, an unnamed woman, deceased, Sherman (Age 9).

Sherman a heterosexual female citizen of the United States of America. no degree received. Sherman married Edward Struck, Dennis Hurlburt, and Horatio N. Sherman, all three died from poisoning, Sherman was accidental. She had at least seven children, six of which were poisoned by Sherman, and two step-children, one who was poisoned by Sherman.

In 1863 (Age 37/38) Lydia Sherman started her killing spree, during her crimes as a serial killer she was known to murder her victims. She was known to kill at both her home and the home of the victim. At the time of her crimes she was living with multiple husbands and children, where Sherman was known to work as a serial killer.

She was arrested on June 30th 1871 (Age 45), convicted on January 11th 1873 (Age 47), sentenced to life imprisonment at Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US.

Lydia Sherman died on May 16th 1878 (Age 52), cause of death: cancer at Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US.

Profile Completeness: 97%
serial killers by profile completeness

Lydia Sherman has been listed on Killer.Cloud since September of 2018 and was last updated 5 years ago.

Lydia Sherman a known:

Lydia Sherman
Serial Killer Profile:

Updated: 2019-06-04 Collected by Killer.Cloud
General Information
Name: Lydia Sherman
Nickname: The Derby Poisoner
Victims: 12 - 12
Years Active: 1863 - 1871
Ages Active: 37/38 - 45/46
Active Countries: United States
Life Span: 1825 - 1878
Characteristics
Gender: Female
Citizenship: United States of America
Sexual Preference: heterosexual
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
Dec 22 - Jan 20
Birth Month: December
Marital Status: married Edward Struck, Dennis Hurlburt, and Horatio N. Sherman, all three died from poisoning, Sherman was accidental
Children: at least seven children, six of which were poisoned by Sherman, and two step-children, one who was poisoned by Sherman
Living With: multiple husbands and children
Occupation: serial killer
Childhood Information
D.O.B.: Dec 24, 1825
Family Name: Sherman
Given Name: Lydia
Birth Location: Brunswick, New Jersey, US
Birth Order: 1st of 1
Siblings: no siblings
Raised By: orphaned at (Age 9), an uncle until adulthood
Birth Category: only child
Mother: an unnamed woman, deceased, Sherman (Age 9)
Father: an unnamed man, deceased, Sherman (Age 9)

Cognitive Ability
IQ: N/A
Highest School: N/A
Highest Degree: no degree received

Incarceration
Arrested: Jun 30, 1871 (Age 45)
Convicted: Jan 11, 1873 (Age 47)
Sentence: life imprisonment
Prison Location: Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US
Executed: N/A
Previous Crimes: FALSE
Previous Jail: FALSE
Previous Prison: FALSE

Death Information
Death Date: May 16, 1878 (Age 52)
Cause of Death: cancer
Death Location: Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US
Killed In Prison: FALSE
Suicide: FALSE
13 Timeline Events of Serial Killer
Lydia Sherman

The 13 dates listed below represent a timeline of the life and crimes of serial killer Lydia Sherman. A complete collection of serial killer events can be found on our Serial Killer Timeline.

Date Event Description
Dec 24 1825Lydia Sherman was born in Brunswick, New Jersey, US.  #18251224
Dec 24 1845
(Age 20)
20th Birthday
Dec 24 1855
(Age 30)
30th Birthday
1863
(Age 37/38)
Lydia Sherman started her serial killing spree. #1863
Dec 24 1865
(Age 40)
40th Birthday
1871
(Age 45/46)
Lydia Sherman ended her serial killing spree. #1871
Jun 30 1871
(Age 45)
Lydia Sherman arrested. #18710630
Dec 28 1872
(Age 47)
confessed to her crimes #18721228
Location: Wethersfield, Connecticut, US

Lyndia Sherman made a full confession of her guilt to jailer, Capt. Webster.

Jan 11 1873
(Age 47)
Lydia Sherman was convictedand sentenced to life imprisonment at Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US.  #18730111
Dec 24 1875
(Age 50)
50th Birthday
Jun 05 1877
(Age 51)
escaped from prison #18770605
Location: Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US

Sherman escaped from prison after her cell was left unlocked due to health concerns. Mrs. Waterhouse, the matron, who left the cell door unlocked was fired by the warden for her carelessness.

Jun 06 1877
(Age 51)
recaptured after escaping prison #18770606
Location: Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US

May 16 1878
(Age 52)
Lydia Shermandied.cause of death:cancerat Wethersfield State Prison in Wethersfield, Connecticut, US. #18780516
Back to top Serial Killers Active During

The following serial killers were active during the same time span as Lydia Sherman (1863-1871).

Serial Killers By Active Year


40 / 40
ANSWERED
Serial Killer
Boolean Questions:
Killer
Question
Killer
Answer
Total
Answered
living with children TRUE 268
kill at killers home TRUE 320
kill at victims home TRUE 323
suicide FALSE 225
killed in prison FALSE 218
father drug abuse FALSE 192
mother drug abuse FALSE 195
xyy FALSE 81
problems in school FALSE 221
teased in school FALSE 218
physically defect FALSE 300
speach defect FALSE 300
head injury FALSE 299
physically abused FALSE 231
psychologically abused FALSE 224
sexually abused FALSE 226
drug abuse FALSE 226
alcohol abuse FALSE 226
psychologist FALSE 258
forensic hospital FALSE 257
previous crimes FALSE 367
previous jail FALSE 352
previous prision FALSE 336
previous killed FALSE 208
used weapon FALSE 453
used gun FALSE 451
rape FALSE 453
torture FALSE 426
stalk FALSE 418
blindfold FALSE 363
bound FALSE 406
strangle FALSE 443
sex with body FALSE 430
mutilated FALSE 447
ate part of body FALSE 451
drank blood FALSE 442
posed body FALSE 365
totem body part FALSE 365
totem personal item FALSE 354
robbed FALSE 418


Books that Mention Lydia Sherman

Book: Female Serial Killers (mentions serial killer Lydia Sherman)
Peter Vronsky
Female Serial Killers
Book: Fatal (mentions serial killer Lydia Sherman)
Harold Schechter
Fatal
Book: Women Who Kill (mentions serial killer Lydia Sherman)
Ann Jones
Women Who Kill

4 Books that mention Serial Killer
Lydia Sherman

ISBN10 Book Title Killers
0425213900 Female Serial Killers 30
1476729123 Fatal 2
1558616527 Women Who Kill 4
1240094523 Lydia Sherman : Confessio... 1

Lydia Sherman (Burlington, New Jersey, United States, December 24, 1824 – May 16, 1878), also known as The Derby Poisoner, was an American serial killer and addicted to murder. She poisoned eight children in her care (6 of which were her own) and her three husbands and was convicted of second-degree murder in 1872.

Wikipedia
External References
  1. Lydia Sherman on en.wikipedia.org, Retrieved on Sep 13, 2018.
  2. Juan Ignacio Blanco, Lydia Sherman on murderpedia.org, Retrieved on Sep 13, 2018.
  3. Kristin Elink-Schuurman-Laura, Sherman, Lydia on skdb.fgcu.edu, Retrieved on Sep 13, 2018.
  4. The Bossier banner. (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, Page 2 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  5. Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, Page 1 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  6. The Derby Poisoner, The New York Times, January 11, 1873 on timesmachine.nytimes.com, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  7. Wilmington daily gazette. (Wilmington, Del.) 1872-1874, Page 1 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  8. The New York herald. (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, Page 3 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  9. The Dallas daily herald. (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, Page 4 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  10. Alexandria gazette. (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, Page 2 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  11. Connecticut western news. (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, Page 2 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
  12. Q16063635 on www.wikidata.org, Retrieved on Oct 9, 2018.
Internal References

Lydia Sherman is included in the following pages on Killer.Cloud the Serial Killer Database

  1. #7 of 75[ Page 1 ] of Female Serial Killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
  2. #9 of 45[ Page 1 ] of Serial Killers with birthdays in December
  3. #16 of 55[ Page 2 ] of Capricorn Serial Killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
  4. #40 of 651[ Page 3 ] of serial killers sorted by Profile Completeness
  5. #43 of 327[ Page 3 ] of Serial Killers active in the United States
  6. #128 of 651[ Page 9 ] of serial killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
  7. #174 of 651[ Page 12 ] of serial killers sorted by Years Active
  8. #537 of 651[ Page 36 ] of the A-Z List of Serial Killers
Statistics:
Serial Killers Statistics, charts Lydia Sherman is included in: Active Serial Killers by Country, Serial Killers By Gender, Age of Serial Killer by Date, Killers By Astrological Sign, Killers By Birth Month, Highest Degree Achieved, Sexual Preference, Birth Category, Active Serial Killers by Year and Statistical Boolean Questions.
Years Active: