Daisy de Melker

Hello True Crime Enthusiasts,

Today, we're diving into the dark and twisted tale of one of South Africa's most infamous figures—Daisy de Melker. Her name sends shivers down the spine of those familiar with her story, and for good reason. Daisy was not just any criminal; she was a serial killer who wielded poison as her weapon of choice, leaving a trail of death and mystery in her wake. This newsletter will take you through the life of Daisy de Melker, her crimes, and the eventual unraveling of her deadly secrets.

Early Life: The Making of a Murderer

Daisy Louisa Hancorn-Smith was born on June 1, 1886, in South Africa. Her early years were marked by a life of relative normalcy. Raised in a large family, Daisy's childhood was typical for the time, with no apparent signs that she would one day become one of the country's most notorious murderers. However, as with many stories of dark deeds, it's often the ordinary beginnings that give rise to the most chilling endings.

At the age of 12, Daisy's life took a tragic turn when her mother died, leaving a void that would never truly be filled. Some say this loss might have sown the seeds of her later actions, but that's merely speculation. What we do know is that Daisy grew up to be a nurse, a profession that would eventually give her the knowledge and access to the tools she needed to carry out her deadly plans.

The First Marriage: A Widow is Born

In 1909, Daisy married her first husband, William Alfred Cowle. The couple seemed happy at first, living a quiet life in Johannesburg. However, tragedy struck in 1923 when William suddenly fell ill and died. The cause of death was attributed to cerebral malaria, a common enough ailment in those days, but one that would later be questioned. At the time, no one suspected Daisy of any wrongdoing, and she continued with her life as a grieving widow.

It's important to note that William's death left Daisy with a significant insurance payout—a pattern that would become all too familiar in the years to come. Daisy was left to care for her young son, Rhodes, and with William's life insurance payout in hand, she moved forward with her life. But the shadow of death loomed over Daisy’s future.

The Second Marriage: A Deadly Pattern

A year after William's death, Daisy married her second husband, Robert Sproat. Robert was a plumber by trade, and like her first marriage, this one seemed to be a typical union. However, tragedy would strike again. In 1927, after only a few years of marriage, Robert fell ill with what appeared to be similar symptoms to those of Daisy's first husband—severe stomach pains, vomiting, and eventual death. The cause was determined to be arteriosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries.

Once again, Daisy collected a substantial insurance payout, raising no suspicion from the authorities. After all, who would suspect a nurse, a caregiver, of being a killer? Daisy's outward demeanor was that of a grieving widow, but behind the scenes, she was collecting life insurance policies like trophies.

The Third Husband: Suspicion Arises

Daisy's third and final marriage was to a man named Sidney Clarence de Melker in 1931. By this time, Daisy was a seasoned widow, and one might think that Sidney was just another victim in her deadly game. However, things didn't go as smoothly for Daisy this time.

Sidney, unlike her previous husbands, did not die mysteriously. Instead, it was Daisy's 20-year-old son, Rhodes Cecil Cowle, who became her next victim. Rhodes had been suffering from what appeared to be typhoid fever—a diagnosis that, again, seemed plausible. But when he died in January 1932, the circumstances surrounding his death raised suspicions.

Unlike her previous victims, Rhodes’ death raised immediate suspicions. Daisy did not collect any insurance money this time, which was a departure from her usual pattern. This raised questions about her motive. Why would a mother poison her own son?

The Involvement of Sidney’s Brother: Albert Edward de Melker

As suspicions began to grow, Daisy’s life came under closer scrutiny, and it wasn’t long before her crimes began to unravel. Sidney's brother, Albert Edward de Melker, played a crucial role in the investigation. Albert had been close to Sidney and was devastated by the loss of his nephew, Rhodes. His grief quickly turned into suspicion, especially when he learned that Daisy had been the last person to see Rhodes alive.

Albert noticed that Daisy's first two husbands had also died under suspicious circumstances. His suspicions were further aroused when he discovered that Daisy had purchased large quantities of strychnine—a powerful and deadly poison—just before Rhodes fell ill. Concerned for his brother's safety, Albert began to investigate Daisy's past, discovering the eerie similarities between the deaths of her previous husbands and that of Rhodes.

Albert’s persistence led to the exhumation of Rhodes' body, where traces of strychnine were found. This discovery was the turning point in the case against Daisy de Melker. With evidence mounting against her, authorities decided to investigate further.

The Investigation: Unraveling Daisy’s Web of Lies

With Albert’s suspicions bringing Daisy into the spotlight, the authorities took swift action. They exhumed the bodies of Daisy’s first two husbands, William Cowle and Robert Sproat. To their horror, both men’s remains showed traces of poison—William had been poisoned with strychnine, while Robert had been killed with arsenic.

This revelation confirmed what Albert had feared—Daisy de Melker had been systematically poisoning those closest to her for years. The investigation revealed that Daisy had obtained the poisons from local chemists, using her nursing profession as a cover. She had meticulously planned each murder, ensuring that the deaths appeared natural or attributed to common illnesses.

The Trial: The Downfall of Daisy de Melker

Daisy’s arrest in March 1932 sent shockwaves through South Africa. The trial that followed was one of the most sensational in the country’s history. Daisy faced charges of murder for the deaths of her son Rhodes, her first husband William Cowle, and her second husband Robert Sproat.

The prosecution presented a compelling case, with evidence that included the exhumation reports, testimonies from chemists who had sold Daisy the poisons, and details of the life insurance policies she had taken out on her husbands. Albert Edward de Melker’s testimony was particularly damning, as he recounted the suspicious circumstances surrounding Rhodes’ death and Daisy’s odd behavior in the aftermath.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, Daisy maintained her innocence throughout the trial. Her defense team argued that the evidence was circumstantial and that there was no direct proof linking Daisy to the deaths. However, the sheer volume of evidence, combined with the pattern of deaths, was too much to ignore.

On December 25, 1932, Daisy de Melker was found guilty of the murder of her son, Rhodes Cecil Cowle. The jury’s verdict was unanimous, and Daisy was sentenced to death by hanging. Though she was only convicted of Rhodes' murder, the evidence strongly suggested her involvement in the deaths of her two husbands as well.

The Execution: The End of the Story

Daisy de Melker was executed on December 30, 1932, at Pretoria Central Prison. Her death marked the end of one of South Africa's most notorious murder cases. Even as she faced the gallows, Daisy never confessed to the murders, maintaining her innocence until the end.

Daisy's case left an indelible mark on South African history. She was the first woman to be hanged in South Africa since 1911, and her trial remains one of the most infamous in the country’s legal history. The case also led to significant changes in how life insurance policies were scrutinized and how the deaths of insured individuals were investigated.

Reflections: The Legacy of Daisy de Melker

As we look back on the life of Daisy de Melker, it's easy to see why her story continues to fascinate and terrify people to this day. She was a woman who defied the expectations of her time, using her knowledge and position to commit unspeakable acts of violence. Her case raises important questions about the nature of evil and the lengths to which some people will go to achieve their goals.

For today’s readers, Daisy's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of deception and the importance of looking beyond the surface. In a world where appearances can be deceiving, it's crucial to stay vigilant and question the motives of those around us.

But perhaps the most chilling aspect of Daisy de Melker's story is the fact that she was able to carry out her crimes for so long without being caught. Without the determination of Sidney’s brother, Albert Edward de Melker, Daisy might have continued her deadly spree unchecked. It was his relentless pursuit of the truth that ultimately brought her to justice. In the end, Daisy's story is a reminder that, in the shadows of everyday life, dark secrets can lurk, waiting to be uncovered.

With that, we conclude this edition of "Elementary, my dear Watson." Stay tuned for our next deep dive into another true crime case that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

With Unwavering Truth,

AnnaMaria

This newsletter delves into the life of Daisy de Melker, not just as a notorious figure, but as a symbol of the dark potential that can reside in anyone. By focusing on the narrative of her life and the gradual unraveling of her crimes, we can better understand the chilling reality of those who walk among us with hidden, deadly intentions.