A shocking murder case has captivated Iran after a 56-year-old woman, Kulthum Akbari, admitted to killing 11 elderly husbands over a period of 22 years in what prosecutors label a calculated and systematic scheme for financial gain.
Akbari, now referred to as Iran’s Black Widow, reportedly commenced her killing spree in the year 2000.
Court documents indicate that she specifically sought out elderly men, married them, and gradually poisoned them over time.
Prosecutors allege she employed a combination of diabetes medications, stimulants, and in some instances, industrial alcohol to execute the murders.
“Most of the victims seemed to have passed away from natural causes due to their age and chronic health issues,” a prosecutor stated in court.
“This enabled the defendant to carry on her crimes unnoticed for over two decades.”
How the Murders Were Discovered
Her last victim, Azizollah Babaei, who died in 2023, passed away under circumstances that initially appeared natural.
However, Babaei’s son became suspicious and notified the authorities.
The ensuing police investigation revealed a troubling pattern in Akbari’s history, connecting her to 10 other dubious deaths.
Investigators disclosed that Akbari carefully tracked her victims’ health, waiting for the exact moment when their deaths would seem natural, thereby ensuring she evaded suspicion.
Charges and Public Response
Akbari now faces 11 charges of premeditated murder and one charge of attempted murder after allegedly failing to kill another victim.
The case has attracted over 45 plaintiffs, including family members of the deceased, who have publicly called for the death penalty.
Iranian media have reported significant public outrage regarding the case, with many labeling it one of the most unsettling instances of serial killings in the nation’s history.
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The trial has garnered both national and international attention, with a verdict anticipated once the remaining hearings are concluded.
