Lydia Sherman
The Derby Poisoner
Active for 9 years
(1863-1871) in United States
12
CONFIRMED
VICTIMS
12
POSSIBLE
VICTIMS
Jump to:
- Summary
- Serial Killer Profile
- Serial Killer Type
- General Information
- Characteristics
- Childhood
- Cognitive Ability
- Incarceration
- Death
- 13 Timeline Events
- Serial Killers Active During Spree
- Boolean Statistical Questions
- 4 Books Written About Lydia Sherman
- 12 External References
- 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 completenessLydia 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 1825 | Lydia 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 ANSWEREDSerial 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
Peter Vronsky
Female Serial Killers
Harold Schechter
Fatal
Ann Jones
Women Who Kill
4 Books that mention Serial Killer
Lydia Sherman
| ISBN10 | Book Title | Author | Killers Mentioned | Killers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0425213900 | Female Serial Killers | Peter Vronsky | 30 Total Including Marybeth Tinning | 30 |
| 1476729123 | Fatal | Harold Schechter | Lydia Sherman | 2 |
| 1558616527 | Women Who Kill | Ann Jones | 4 Total Including Belle Gunness | 4 |
| 1240094523 | Lydia Sherman : Confessio... | Lydia Sherman | Lydia Sherman | 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.
External References
- Lydia Sherman on en.wikipedia.org, Retrieved on Sep 13, 2018.
- Juan Ignacio Blanco, Lydia Sherman on murderpedia.org, Retrieved on Sep 13, 2018.
- Kristin Elink-Schuurman-Laura, Sherman, Lydia on skdb.fgcu.edu, Retrieved on Sep 13, 2018.
- The Bossier banner. (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, Page 2 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, Page 1 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- The Derby Poisoner, The New York Times, January 11, 1873 on timesmachine.nytimes.com, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- Wilmington daily gazette. (Wilmington, Del.) 1872-1874, Page 1 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- The New York herald. (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, Page 3 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- The Dallas daily herald. (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, Page 4 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- Alexandria gazette. (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, Page 2 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- Connecticut western news. (Salisbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.) 1871-1970, Page 2 on chroniclingamerica.loc.gov, Retrieved on Oct 2, 2018.
- 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
- #7 of 75[ Page 1 ] of Female Serial Killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
- #9 of 45[ Page 1 ] of Serial Killers with birthdays in December
- #16 of 55[ Page 2 ] of Capricorn Serial Killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
- #40 of 651[ Page 3 ] of serial killers sorted by Profile Completeness
- #43 of 327[ Page 3 ] of Serial Killers active in the United States
- #128 of 651[ Page 9 ] of serial killers sorted by Confirmed Victims
- #174 of 651[ Page 12 ] of serial killers sorted by Years Active
- #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: