Arsenic Anna and the Ice Queen

Tea Time Crimes

In the 1930s, Ohio resident Anna Marie Hahn took the gateway crime of insurance fraud down a dark path of murder. She could not help charming people, convincing them to give her money in their will (think tens of thousands– and this is Great Depression money!), and then making sure that will was in play. We also visit another Ohioan on death row, Dovie Dean, who shared Anna’s method of murder but not her motivation. Hear the story of both women and decide for yourself what really happened.

Tea of the Day: Howl’s Moving Tea House Earl Grey

Theme Music by Brad Frank

For a full list of sources, go to https://tea-time-crimes.simplecast.com/episodes.

Sources:

• Anna Marie Hahn: Serial Killer, “The Beautiful Blonde Killer.” By True Crime: Bus Stop Reads, Bus Stop Reads Copyright 2015
• Huffpost, “Anna Marie Hahn: The First Woman to Die in Ohio's Electric Chair.” By The Lineup, Contributor, Mar 7, 2016 - Updated Dec 6, 2017, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/anna-marie-hahn-the-first_b_9400002
• “The Lost History of Hester Foster.” By Bucky Cutright, June 21st, 2021, Columbus Underground, https://columbusunderground.com/the-lost-history-of-hester-foster-bc1/
• “Dovie Dean Dies in Electric Chair.” (Ap) The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sat, Jan 16, 1954, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/100638905/
• “Three Held in Death of Farmer.” The Cincinnati Post, Thu, Sep 04, 1952, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/762752375/
• Wife Confesses Poisoning Mate.” The Morning News, Sat, Sep 13, 1952, Page 2, https://www.newspapers.com/image/154516979/
• “Mrs. Dean in Hospital As 1st Trial Date Arrives.” The Cincinnati Post, Mon, Oct 20, 1952, Page 21, https://www.newspapers.com/image/762732137/
• “Accused Poison Slayer’s Counsel Denies Guilt.” The Cincinnati Post, Tue, Dec 09, 1952, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/762757290/
• “State Demands Death Penalty As Poison Murder Trial Opens.” The Times Recorder, Wed, Dec 10, 1952 Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/294194274/
• “Report on Poison.” The Cincinnati Enquirer, Thu, Dec 11, 1952, Page 28, https://www.newspapers.com/image/102840399/
• “Jury Weighs Mrs. Dean’s Fate.” By Arthur Keller, The Cincinnati Post, Sat, Dec 13, 1952, Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/762761070/
• “Dovie Dean Dies In Electric Chair.” (AP) The Cincinnati Enquirer, Sat, Jan 16, 1954 Page 1, https://www.newspapers.com/image/100638905/
• “Not Exactly a Blushing Bride, or Weeping Widow.” By Mara Bovsun, Daily News, Sun, Jun 11, 2023, Page 22, https://www.newspapers.com/image/977791681/
• “Mrs. Hahn In Collapse, Dies in Chair.” By Ralph Donaldson, The Plain Dealer, Thu, Dec 08, 1938, Page 4, https://www.newspapers.com/image/1059664358/