- #EUGENIE LAFONTAINE LOUISIANA SERIAL KILLER SERIES#
- #EUGENIE LAFONTAINE LOUISIANA SERIAL KILLER CRACK#
As LaLaurie rushed about salvaging her coats and jewels and possessions from the fire, the crowd began to wonder, why weren’t her servants helping her? LaLaurie shrugged these questions off. As the flames spread, a crowd gathered to assist LaLaurie and her guests escape the blaze. Yet the true nature of the LaLaurie household would soon be revealed.ĭriven to suicide by LaLaurie’s abuse, the 70-year-old cook (who was emaciated, despite being chained to the stove) set fire to the mansion on April 10, 1834. By having family and friends buy back her slaves and then resell them to her, Delphine managed to reacquire them all. Witnesses reported the incident and another investigation of the household was undertaken, this one ending with a conviction of illegal cruelty and the mandatory forfeiting of nine slaves. Infuriated, Delphine chased the child throughout the house with a whip, up through the galleries and onto the roof, where, with her angry mistress hot on her heels, the girl ran off the edge, falling to her death. Lia, a twelve-year-old slave, was brushing Delphine’s hair when she hit a snag. Then came an incident of undeniable ruthlessness. A local lawyer was dispatched to 1140 Royal Street to investigate the situation, but he found no evidence of mistreatment. Although polite to her slaves when in public, even emancipating two (Jean Louis in 1819 and Devince in 1832), public rumors circulated regarding her cruelty and extreme treatment. Indeed, some observed her beating her own daughters when they attempted to feed the famished servants.
So hospitable was Madame LaLaurie that her guests looked past what was observed to be the “singularly haggard and wretched” state of her slaves. Celebrated for being gracious, captivating, and wildly beautiful, she was one of the best-known women in New Orleans society in her time. Decorating with decadence, gold plates and the paintings of noted artists adorned the walls, and the New Orleans Bee described the home’s furnishings as “of the most costly description.” A central figure in the New Orleans social elite, LaLaurie was known for her frequent cocktail parties, private balls, and lavish galas. In 1831 the couple bought property at 1140 Royal Street under Delphine’s name, and less than a year later she had transformed the lot into a three-story mansion with attached quarters for their slaves. A three times married Louisiana socialite, LaLaurie (born Delphine Macarty) acquired her name that would be legendary from her final marriage to the physician Dr. New Orleans’ history is filled with belles and beauties, but few as immortal as Madame LaLaurie. The Discovery Channel notes that: "the Baton Rouge area had multiple serial killers operating at the same time with two of the their victims living on the same street as Eugenie." According to, both of those nearby victims were linked to Lee through DNA.LaLaurie Mansion Allison Meier/Atlas Obscura Another man convicted of serial murder, Sean Vincent Gillis, was active in the area around the same time as Lee, as reported by WAFB, so it's likely that both men will be scrutinized during Killing Fields. However, he was never convicted of additional charges, and no connection to Boisfontaine's death was ever proven. Two months later, her body was found nearby in a watery ditch with evidence of blunt force trauma to her head." One thing investigators will focus on is whether she was the victim of a serial killer, or if she was specifically targeted by someone who knew her.Īccording to Atlanta's CBS46, some theorized that Boisfontaine, 34, was murdered by Derrek Todd Lee, who was convicted of murdering two other women and who authorities believe could be responsible for up to seven murders in south Louisiana, as reported by The Baton Rouge Advocate. According to the Discovery Channel's website, " was last seen near LSU's lakes.
The murder of Eugenie Boisfontaine, a graduate student at Louisiana State University, didn't seem to get much media attention when it occurred in 1997.
#EUGENIE LAFONTAINE LOUISIANA SERIAL KILLER CRACK#
The murder case in Killing Fields is a disturbing one, but hopefully the renewed efforts and attention will be enough to crack the case and bring the killer to justice.
#EUGENIE LAFONTAINE LOUISIANA SERIAL KILLER SERIES#
Now, the Discovery Channel has its own true crime series that will follow detectives as they reopen a homicide investigation. And, almost immediately after Making a Murderer began streaming on Netflix, thousands of viewers were eager to help Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey. After the podcast Serial captivated the nation, Adnan Syed was granted a new hearing.
Not only is the true crime genre fascinating to its fans, but the public exposure can make an impact on the cases themselves.