Who Was Louisa Collins? Last Woman Hanged in New South Wales

In this episode, we examine the extraordinary case of Louisa Collins, the last woman legally executed in New South Wales and one of the most controversial figures in Australian criminal history.

Accused of poisoning two husbands with arsenic during the late nineteenth century, Louisa Collins became the center of a sensational murder investigation that captivated newspapers across Australia. Her case involved multiple trials, disputed evidence, and intense public debate over guilt, justice, and capital punishment.

What Happened to Louisa Collins?

Authorities believed Louisa Collins poisoned her husbands in separate incidents, leading to a lengthy legal battle unlike almost any other murder case in Australian history. After four back to back trials, she was ultimately convicted and sentenced to death.

The execution of Louisa Collins marked a significant moment in Australian legal history and remains one of the country’s most discussed true crime stories.

Why Is the Case Still Controversial?

More than a century later, historians continue to debate whether the evidence presented at trial would withstand modern forensic scrutiny. Questions remain about arsenic poisoning, witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and whether justice was truly served.

This episode explores:

The life of Louisa Collins
The deaths that sparked suspicion
The arsenic poisoning allegations
Multiple murder trials and appeals
Public reaction to the verdict
The final execution
The historical legacy of the case

Australian True Crime History

The Louisa Collins case remains an important chapter in Australian true crime, criminal justice history, and the history of capital punishment in Australia. It offers a fascinating look at nineteenth-century investigations, courtroom procedures, and society’s attitudes toward crime and punishment.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, famous murder cases, and forgotten true crime stories, this episode provides a detailed examination of one of Australia’s most remarkable criminal cases.

Key Takeaways

Louisa Collins became the last woman executed in New South Wales.
The case centered on allegations of arsenic poisoning.
Multiple murder trials made the case highly unusual.
Newspapers closely followed every development of the investigation.
Historians continue debating the strength of the evidence.
The case remains a landmark in Australian true crime history.
Capital punishment played a central role in the story.
The execution sparked public discussion about justice and guilt.
The case reveals how nineteenth-century criminal investigations worked.
Louisa Collins remains one of Australia’s most famous historical crime figures.

Warning: This episode covers historical crimes, including poisoning, death, and execution.

Sources:

Book: Last Woman Hanged: The Terrible True Story of Louisa Collins by Caroline Overington
Newspaper Article from the Execution: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115380911