Groesbeek, Maria (1937–1970)

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Groesbeek, Maria (1937–1970)

South African poisoner. Born 1937; hanged Nov 13, 1970; m. Christiaan Buys, 1953 (murdered 1969); m. Gerhard Froesbeek, June 11, 1969.

During 17 years of marriage to Christiaan Buys, moved approximately 15 times and was physically abused; when he refused to give her a divorce so that she could marry his friend Gerhard Froesbeek, began purchasing ant poison containing arsenic (Feb 1969); after he took ill (Feb 14) and died from arsenic poisoning (Mar 28), married Froesbeek (June 11) but was arrested with him for murder; took full responsibility, saying she'd just wanted to make her husband sick enough for him to agree to the divorce; tried at Bloemfontein (Nov 1969) and found guilty.

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