In this episode of The Medicine Murders, Dr. Meredith Beavin takes us back to Victorian England for a chilling Christmas Eve tale. Sarah Ann French, trapped in a loveless marriage and longing for freedom, baked an onion pie with a deadly twist—arsenic. Her crime shocked her small village and became a landmark case in forensic history. J

oin us as we unravel the events leading to this infamous murder, the groundbreaking Marsh Test that uncovered the truth, and the role arsenic played as both a poison and a medicine. This story isn’t just about a crime; it’s a haunting reflection on societal constraints, desperation, and the evolution of forensic science.

• YouTube: The Medicine Murders
• Twitter (X): @MedMurdersPod
• Spotify: The Medicine Murders

1. Historical records and trial transcripts of Sarah Ann French’s case (1851-1852).
2. Archives on Victorian-era arsenic use in medicine and crime.
3. Research on the development of the Marsh Test by chemist James Marsh.
4. Articles from The Times of London and local historical societies in East Sussex.
5. Books on forensic science history, including "The Poisoner’s Handbook" by Deborah Blum.

When medicine turns into a murder weapon, even the most trusted doctor can become the ultimate threat. In this episode of The Medicine Murders, we uncover the chilling true crime story of Dr. Richard J. Schmidt, a respected Louisiana physician whose twisted need for control led to an unprecedented act of biological warfare.

This groundbreaking case shocked the world and changed forensic science forever. Using cutting-edge viral RNA sequencing, investigators unraveled a horrifying tale of obsession, betrayal, and a crime carried out with surgical precision.

Join us as we explore: 🔬 The calculated plan involving an HIV- and hepatitis C-contaminated syringe ⚖️ The groundbreaking forensic science that exposed the truth 💔 Janice Trahan’s harrowing fight for survival—and for justice

Stay tuned for our signature Talk Nerdy segment, where we explain how HIV works, its impact on the immune system, and how science has advanced in the fight against this deadly virus.

Follow Us for More Medical True Crime Stories: 🎥 YouTube: The Medicine Murders 🐦 BlueSKy: The Medicine Murders 🎙️ Spotify: The Medicine Murders

📧 Case tips or personal stories? Email us—contact info and sources are in the show notes.

Listen now — because in the hands of the wrong person, even medicine can become a weapon.

Sources

1. Wikipedia - Richard J. Schmidt Case Overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_J._Schmidt
2. The New York Times - Landmark HIV Forensic Case Coverage https://www.nytimes.com (Search for articles on Dr. Richard J. Schmidt's trial and forensic breakthrough)
3. CNN Archives - Legal Case Reports https://www.cnn.com (Search for Richard J. Schmidt HIV trial)
4. Baylor College of Medicine - Forensic Science Studies https://www.bcm.edu (Research articles on viral RNA sequencing)
5. The Journal of Forensic Sciences - Case Analysis and Use of Viral RNA Sequencing https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com (Search for HIV forensic case reports)
6. Science Direct - Molecular Virology and Forensic Applications https://www.sciencedirect.com
7. FindLaw Legal Database - Trial Summaries and Court Transcripts https://www.findlaw.com (Search for court documents on Louisiana v. Richard J. Schmidt)
8. Louisiana Supreme Court Archives - Case Files https://www.lasc.org

This week on The Medicine Murders, we explore the life of Clara Winnicki, Switzerland’s first female pharmacist. Learn how she broke barriers, developed groundbreaking treatments, and faced systemic injustice. Discover her forgotten legacy and its lasting impact on modern pharmacy.

📜 Sources Mentioned in This Episode:

Ebers Papyrus and Ancient Egyptian Remedies

Clara Winnicki Biography - Swiss Historical Records

The Islamic Golden Age and Pharmacy Innovations

Insel Gruppe’s Tribute to Clara Winnicki

Swiss Citizenship Laws in the Early 20th Century

Social Media Handles:

YouTube: The Medicine Murders https://www.youtube.com/TheMedicineMurders

X (formerly Twitter): @MedMurdersPod https://twitter.com/MedMurdersPod

Spotify: The Medicine Murders https://open.spotify.com/show/TheMedicineMurders

TikTok: @MedicineMurdersPodcast https://www.tiktok.com/@MedicineMurdersPodcast

In this chilling episode of The Medicine Murders, Dr. Meredith Beavin and her co-host Andy dive into the case of Heather Pressdee. Explore the disturbing details of her actions, the heartbreaking impact on victims and families, and the crucial role of healthcare ethics in preventing such tragedies.

Don’t miss this mix of true crime and medical insight, bringing awareness to the darker side of medicine.

Follow us on X (@MedMurdersPod) and YouTube (The Medicine Murders). Email us at medicinemurderspod@gmail.com and connect with us on Twitter (The Medicine Murders) for updates, sources, and more!

1. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General: Official press release detailing Heather Pressdee's sentencing and the charges against her.

• Western Pennsylvania Nurse Sentenced to Consecutive Life Sentences

• Pennsylvania nurse who gave patients lethal or possibly lethal insulin doses gets life in prison

• ‘She is evil personified’: Victims' families face killer nurse Heather Pressdee

• Pa. Nurse Pleads Guilty to Killing Patients with Fatal Insulin Doses

• Pennsylvania nurse pleads guilty to killing nursing home residents with insulin

• PA nurse pleads guilty to killing patients with excessive insulin

• Heather Pressdee - Wikipedia

• Heather Pressdee pleads guilty in deaths of 17 Pittsburgh-area nursing home patients

• Pa. Nurse Pleads Guilty to Killing Patients with Fatal Insulin Doses

• Is this nurse one of America's most prolific serial killers?

In Episode 2, we examine the Kenneth Barlow case, a groundbreaking story from 1957 England. Kenneth Barlow, a trusted nurse, used his medical knowledge to murder his pregnant wife, Betty, by injecting her with insulin. This shocking crime became the first documented murder conviction involving insulin and forever changed the field of forensic toxicology.

This episode is dedicated to Diabetes Awareness Month, highlighting the dual nature of insulin—its life-saving importance and its potential for harm when misused.

Tik Tok-@MedicineMurderspod

Follow on X- @MedMurdersPod

email us at- Medicinemurderspod@gmail.com

References:

• Marks, V., & Richmond, C. (2008). Kenneth Barlow: the first documented case of murder by insulin. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 101(1), 19-21.SAGE Journals
• "Medicine: The Imperfect Crime." TIME, September 8, 1958.Time
• "Kenneth Barlow | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers." Murderpedia

In our first episode of The Medicine Murders, we dive into the disturbing story of Betty Bowman, whose untimely death was allegedly caused by a potent drug more commonly associated with treating gout.

Join Dr. Meredith Beavin and her co-host, Andy, as they uncover the twists and turns in Betty's life, the chilling details of the crime, and the mysterious role colchicine played. After exploring the case, we'll break down what colchicine is, how it’s used in medicine, and why this drug, used incorrectly, can be so deadly. Get ready for a blend of true crime and medical insight that will make you see familiar medications in a whole new light.

Follow YouTube- the Medicine Murders

Instagram-@TheMedicineMurderspod

email us at- Medicinemurderspod@gmail.com

Main Sources

1.CBS News Report: Connor Bowman and Bumble Search Warrant

•Source: CBS News, October 2023. Details about the search warrant related to Connor Bowman’s use of Bumble and other key evidence in the investigation.

2.Criminal Complaint Against Connor Bowman

•Source: Minnesota State Criminal Complaint, 2023. Comprehensive documentation of Connor Bowman’s alleged actions, digital footprint, and evidence leading to his arrest.

3.Mayo Clinic – Information on Colchicine and Gout Treatment

•Source: Mayo Clinic’s medical resources, providing background on colchicine, its therapeutic uses, and its toxicity.

4.WebMD - Overview of Gout and Colchicine’s Use

•Information on gout, common medications for treatment, and typical dosing of colchicine.

5.American College of Rheumatology - Gout Management and Medication Guidelines

•Latest guidelines on acute and chronic gout management, including colchicine.

6.Healthline - Colchicine Toxicity and Overdose Risks

•Details on the toxic effects of colchicine and symptoms of overdose.

7.Rochester Local News Articles

•Background articles on Betty Bowman’s community impact, family statements, and updates on the case.