The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told
Episode: The First American Female Serial Killer (Pt 1)
Host: Mary Kay McBrayer
Release Date: January 2, 2024

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of the three-part miniseries, Mary Kay McBrayer delves into the harrowing story of Jane Toppan, recognized as America's first female serial killer. Through meticulous research and compelling narration, McBrayer sets the stage for understanding how adverse childhood experiences can shape an individual's descent into darkness.

Early Life and Upbringing

Background of Honora Kelly
Jane Toppan was born Honora Kelly to Peter and Bridget Kelly in the 1870s Massachusetts. Her early childhood was marred by tragedy and hardship:

• Family Struggles: After her mother died of tuberculosis, her father, an Irish immigrant struggling with substance abuse and mental illness, could no longer support the family.
• Boston Female Asylum: To provide for his daughters, Peter Kelly sent Honora and her sister Delia to the Boston Female Asylum, a progressive orphanage of its time. Here, children learned domestic skills essential for working-class women.

"Honora was a really hard worker, she was a fast learner, and she could tell a hell of a story." ([35:52])

Indenture System and Relationship with Auntie (Ann Toppan)
At just eight years old, Honora was indentured to Ann Toppan, a middle-class widow who sought to maintain a certain social image by employing child labor. This arrangement severed any remaining ties with her family, enforcing:

• Name Change: Honora was renamed Jane Toppan to obscure her Irish heritage, amidst prevalent anti-Irish discrimination.
• Harsh Environment: Despite initial hopes, the relationship with Auntie was strained. Jane's eagerness to please was met with constant abuse and unrealistic expectations.

"Jane did something evil. I just really don't think it had to be that way." ([07:39])

Adulthood and Nursing Career

Pursuit of Nursing Excellence
By 1885, Jane decided to become a nurse and was admitted to Cambridge Hospital’s prestigious nursing school. Her transformation was notable:

• Physical and Professional Growth: Jane gained 60 pounds, aligning with Victorian beauty standards that equated health and size with wealth.
• Reputation as Jolly Jane: Her exceptional skills and compassionate care earned her the nickname "Jolly Jane," making her a favorite among patients and doctors alike.

"They were getting along with her patients better than anyone else." ([35:52])

Work Environment Challenges
Jane’s excellence bred jealousy among her colleagues. To maintain her status:

• Sabotage and Retribution: Fellow nurses attempted to undermine her by accusing her of misconduct. Jane retaliated by discrediting them, leading to several of her colleagues being expelled.

"Jane handled it on her own, which life had taught her was the only way it was going to get handled." ([35:52])

Obsessive Behavior and Descent into Darkness

Patient Relationships and Obsession
Jane formed deep attachments to her patients, who were often wards of the state with troubled backgrounds. Her inability to cope with their discharges as patients faded away mirrored her unresolved childhood abandonment issues.

"Jane didn't take it that way. She felt like they left her. No thank you, no goodbye. Just another abandonment." ([35:52])

Beginning of Experiments
In an attempt to keep her favorite patients with her indefinitely, Jane began tampering with hospital medicines, laying the groundwork for her future crimes.

"She had to figure out some way to keep her favorite patients with her longer." ([35:52])

Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2

Mary Kay McBrayer concludes the first part of the miniseries by highlighting the parallels between Jane Toppan's tragic upbringing and her eventual transformation into a serial killer. She emphasizes the societal failures that contributed to Jane's descent, setting the stage for the next episode, which promises to explore the terrifying details of Jane's experiments and murders.

"When I tell you the story I'm about to tell you about Jane Toppin, I really saw Michael Hill. They're both monsters." ([07:39])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• On Jane's Childhood Impact:
  "You never really know where the boundaries are until you cross them." ([00:11])

• Reflecting on Systemic Failures:
  "We had failed him. When I say we, I don't mean we at the facility. I mean we as a culture, as a society." ([07:39])

• On Jane's Manipulative Nature:
  "Jane responded to the jealousy by simply outperforming her colleagues in every way." ([35:52])

Additional Resources

For listeners eager to explore further, Mary Kay recommends her book, "America's First Female Serial Killer, Jane Toppan in the Making of a Monster," and Harold Schechter's "Fatal," both providing in-depth analyses of Jane Toppan's life and crimes.

Visit: Diversion Audio for more information and to subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive content.

Produced and Directed by Mark Francis
Editorial Director: Nora Patel
Theme Music by Tyler Cash
Executive Producers: Jacob Bronstein, Mark Francis, and Scott Waxman