Marie Fikáčková
| Marie Fikáčková | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 9, 1936 Sušice, Czechoslovakia |
| Died | April 13, 1961 (aged 24) |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Conviction(s) | Murder |
| Killings | |
| Victims | 2–10+ |
Span of killings | 1957–1960 |
| Country | Czechoslovakia |
Marie Fikáčková (September 9, 1936 – April 13, 1961) was a Czech serial killer.
Early life
Fikáčková grew up in a dysfunctional family and her marriage had failed. She worked as a nurse in the hospital in Sušice, in its obstetrics department.
Murders
In 1960 she was taken into custody and accused of the murder of a newborn. During investigation she confessed to killing at least 10 newborn babies since 1957. She beat her victims around the head, causing them to die within hours or days. The motive for the murders was never fully explained. Before the court Fikáčková was charged with only two murders, as it was not possible to prove the older killings.
The hospital lacked properly functioning supervision mechanisms to deal with the deaths of newborns, and the murders were discovered only because she killed two children in one day and their corpses were properly examined. No responsible physician or administrator was charged before the court or even demoted, and the whole affair was kept secret for decades.
Death
Fikáčková was sentenced to death, and executed by hanging in Pankrác Prison.