Nannie Doss: The Giggling Granny Serial Killer

107

Nannie Doss, also known as the Giggling Granny, the Lonely Hearts Killer, and Lady Blue Beard, was one of America’s most notorious serial killers. Despite her beautiful smile and grandmotherly demeanor, she kept fatal secrets that resulted in the deaths of her family members. In this article, we’ll look at her early life, how she became a serial killer, and the stunning motivations for her crimes.

Nannie Doss’ Childhood and Early Life

Nannie Doss, born Nancy Hazel on November 4, 1905, in Blue Mountain, Alabama, came from a deprived and controlling family. Her early life was filled with suffering and abuse, which possibly contributed to her future criminal career.

A Troubled Childhood

Nannie was raised in a strict environment. Instead of attending school regularly, she had to work on the family farm. Her father, James Hazel, was authoritarian and denied Nannie and her siblings any independence, mainly when associating with guys. Due to her harsh surroundings, Nannie developed feelings of hatred and rebellion.

During childhood, she enjoyed reading her mother’s romance publications and dreaming about her romantic destiny. Her favorite section was the Lonely Hearts column. Nannie’s father prohibited his daughters from wearing makeup and good clothes, believing that doing so would shield them from unfair treatment by men. He also prohibited them from attending dances and other social events.

Early Signs of Dysfunction

When Nannie was 7 years old, she took a train with her family to visit relatives in southern Alabama. She struck her head on a metal bar in front of her when the train abruptly came to a halt. After that, she suffered from severe headaches, blackouts, and depression for many years. She attributed these and her mental instability to the accident.

The question of which state in the USA has the most serial killers is relevant when looking at figures like Nannie Doss, who committed her crimes across multiple states.

Life of Marriages and Murders

Nannie Doss had a series of turbulent marriages, marrying five times. All of her marriages ended tragically since the majority of her spouses died suddenly. She earned the nickname “Giggling Granny” because she laughed and smiled when discussing her deadly acts.

First Marriage: A Troubled Union with Charles Braggs

At the age of 16, Nannie married for the first time to Charles Braggs, hoping to escape her abusive childhood. They had four daughters, but their marriage was strained by Nannie’s fury and Charles’ continual absences. In 1927, the couple lost their two middle girls to suspected food poisoning. He eventually left her and took their two older children (Melvina and fled). Braggs brought Melvina in the summer of 1928, accompanied by a divorcée with her child. Braggs and Nannie separated quickly, and Nannie moved her two daughters back to her mother’s house. Braggs repeatedly stated he left her because he was afraid of her.

Charles Braggs died in 1945 from natural causes, that is, heart failure. There is no direct proof that connects her to Charles’ death. His death occurred years after their divorce, and Nannie was not involved in his later life.

Second Marriage: The Abuse and Poisoning of Frank Harrelson

Nannie remarried soon after to Frank Harrelson. They lived in Jacksonville with Melvina and Florine. Although their relationship started well, Frank became abusive, resulting in a terrible marriage. Despite this, the marriage lasted 16 years. 

On September 15, Harrelson came home drunk from celebrating the end of World War II and raped Nannie. The next day, she placed rat poison in Harrelson’s corn whiskey jar, and he died that evening.

Murder of Grandchildren

Melvina gave birth to Robert Lee Haynes in 1943. Another baby was born two years later but died shortly after. Melvina saw her mother insert a hatpin into the baby’s head. When she asked her husband and sister for clarification, they stated that Nannie had told them the baby had died and that she was holding a pin. However, the doctors were unable to provide a positive explanation.

Melvina grew distant from her husband and began dating a soldier. Nannie disapproved of her daughter’s new relationship, and the two argued. On July 7, 1945, while Melvina was visiting her father, she left Robert alone with her mother. He died in her care; his death was ruled as asphyxia due to unknown conditions. Two months later, Nannie received the $500 life insurance policy she had purchased for her grandson.

Poisoned Love: The Tragic End of Nannie Doss’s Mother

Nannie’s mother, who was in poor condition, died in 1945. Their relationship had constant problems, with Nannie constantly burdened by her mother’s expectations.

Nannie admitted that she poisoned her mother to death. She confessed that her mother was strict to deal with and that she wanted to be free of her controlling behaviors. Nannie allegedly used rat poison to carry out the crime.

Third Marriage: Love and Deceit with Arlie Lanning

Nannie found her third husband, Arlie Lanning, through another Lonely Hearts column while on vacation in Lexington, North Carolina, and married him three days later. Lanning, like Harrelson, was an alcoholic who dated multiple women. However, in this marriage, Nannie often disappeared, sometimes for months. But when she was at home, she played the loving housewife, and when he died of what was claimed to be heart failure, the locals supported her at his funeral.

Soon after, the couple’s home, which had been given to Lanning’s sister, burned down. The insurance money went to Nannie, who quickly banked it. After Lanning’s mother died in her sleep, Nannie departed North Carolina and ended up at her sister Dovie’s house. Dovie was bedridden when Nannie arrived, and she died shortly after.

Fourth Marriage: A Fatal Relationship with Richard L. Morton

Desperate for another marriage, Nannie joined the Diamond Circle Club dating service, where she met Richard L. Morton of Jamestown. They married in 1952 in Emporia, Kansas. He did not drink excessively, but he was disloyal. Before poisoning him, she poisoned her mother, Louisa, in January 1953 when she moved in with them. Morton died three months later, on May 19, 1953.

Fifth Marriage: The Tragic End of Samuel Doss

Nannie married Samuel Doss of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 1953. Samuel, a Nazarene minister, had lost his family to a tornado in Carroll County, Arkansas. Samuel disliked the romance novels and stories that his wife cherished. Samuel was brought to the hospital in September after suffering flu-like symptoms. The hospital identified a severe digestive tract infection. He was treated and released on October 5. Samuel died on October 12, 1954. Nannie killed him that evening in a rush to collect the two life insurance policies she had taken out on him. This sudden death alerted his doctor, who ordered an autopsy The autopsy found a high level of arsenic in his system. Nannie was quickly arrested.

Like Judy Buenoano, the Black Widow Killer, Nannie Doss used charm and manipulation to mask her deadly intentions.

The Giggling Granny: From Confession to Conviction

Nannie Doss eventually came to light when her fifth and final husband, Samuel Doss, died in 1954. When faced with evidence of her crimes, Nannie suddenly admitted to killing four of her husbands, her mother, her sister, her two grandchildren, and her mother-in-law. True to her nickname, she giggled throughout her confession, displaying little to no regret for her conduct.

The state of Oklahoma focused the case only on Samuel Doss.  She pleaded guilty on May 17, 1955, and was sentenced to life in prison; the state declined to ask for the capital penalty due to her sex. Nannie was not charged with the other murders.

She died of leukaemia in the sick ward at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in 1965. She is buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park in McAlester, Oklahoma.

The Motives Behind Nannie Doss’s Murders

Nannie Doss was a notable serial killer with complex motives. Her desire for love and acceptance arose from a rough life and relationships. Feeling betrayed and disappointed, she targeted family members and partners, believing that her actions would liberate her from oppressive conditions. Nannie Doss’ story combines emotional suffering, a desire for independence, and a terrifying delight of disruption, making her one of history’s most notorious female serial killers.

Nannie Doss is often ranked among the most notorious serial killers in history due to her horrific crimes and chilling confessions.

Legacy of the Giggling Granny Serial Killer

The legacy of Giggling Granny serves as a terrifying reminder of how a good person can have a dark, violent side. Her narrative dispels myths about female serial killers and highlights the nuanced nature of their behavior. Nannie became a symbol of dishonesty due to her unsettling confessions and spooky laughter. Her life now catalyzes conversations on psychology and crime, ensuring that Giggling Granny’s story will continue to captivate and instruct future generations.

Conclusion

The Giggling Granny, Nannie Doss, will always be seen as a grandmotherly character with a darker side. Because of the tragedy, deceit, and murder that defined her life, she was one of the most infamous serial killers in America. This sinister story serves as a reminder of the complexity of human nature and the dangers that can be concealed beneath a smile.

FAQs