Who is Virginia hensley?

Virginia Dale Henson (November 2, 1898–March 6, 1982), known as Virgina Hensley, was an American serial killer who was convicted for six murders she committed in Los Angeles, California, in the 1950s and 1960s. However, she is believed to have killed as many as 25 people during a span of 17 years.

Her last name is sometimes spelled as "Henson", but most sources use the spelling "Hensley".

Background

Hensley was born on November 2, 1898, in Weston, West Virginia. She grew up in poverty, and her father died when she was young. Her mother remarried, but her stepfather abused her. Hensley ran away from home at a young age and began working as a prostitute.

In the 1930s, Hensley moved to Los Angeles, where she continued working as a prostitute. She was also arrested several times for petty theft and drug possession. In 1944, she was convicted of killing her boyfriend, a taxi driver, and was sentenced to life in prison. However, she was paroled in 1954, after serving 10 years of her sentence.

Murder spree

After her release from prison, Hensley resumed her life of prostitution and petty crime. She also began drinking heavily. In 1955, she met a man named Elmer Hensley, and the two of them began living together. Elmer was a violent alcoholic, and he often abused Hensley.

In 1957, Hensley began killing people. Her first victim was a 70-year-old woman named Bessie Moore. Hensley strangled Moore to death and then took her jewelry. Over the next few years, Hensley killed five more people, all of whom were elderly women.

In 1961, Hensley was arrested for the murder of 62-year-old Dorothy Young. She was eventually convicted and sentenced to death. However, the women's convictions were overturned on appeal and they were released on bail, pending retrials.

Hensley's crimes were covered extensively by the media. She became known as the "Lady Strangler" and the "Black Widow".

Trial and conviction

Hensley's trial was held in 1963. The prosecution presented evidence of her six murders, as well as testimony from psychiatrists who said that she was a psychopath. Hensley was found guilty on all six counts of murder.

Death and legacy

Hensley was sentenced the death penalty but died of lung cancer in 1982, while on Death Row at Central California Women's Facility. She is the only woman ever to be executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin State Prison.