FAQ About Madame Delphine LaLaurie
Was Madame LaLaurie a serial killer?
While Madame Delphine LaLaurie's actions were undeniably horrific and involved the mistreatment, torture, and abuse of enslaved individuals, she is not typically categorized as a serial killer. The term "serial killer" typically refers to individuals who commit multiple murders over a period of time with a cooling-off period between each act. While Madame LaLaurie was responsible for the torment and suffering of numerous enslaved people, there is no evidence to suggest that she engaged in the act of killing them.
The focus of Madame LaLaurie's crimes was primarily on physical abuse and torture rather than murder. The extent of her atrocities was uncovered when a fire broke out in her mansion and authorities discovered the enslaved people she had been mistreating in a hidden attic space. While some of the enslaved individuals found in the attic were near death due to the severe abuse they endured, there is no conclusive evidence linking Madame LaLaurie to any murders.
It is important to note that Madame LaLaurie's actions were still abhorrent and constituted severe human rights violations. Her crimes against enslaved people represented an extreme form of cruelty and dehumanization.
