The Soap Maker Leonarda Cianciulli

About this episode

This episode explores the life and crimes of Leonarda Cianciulli, an Italian shopkeeper whose desperation led to horrific acts.

In this chilling Italian true‑crime case, we explore the life and crimes of Leonarda Cianciulli, a seemingly warm and well‑liked shopkeeper in the town of Correggio whose desperation and superstition spiraled into horror. After a lifetime marked by tragedy — including the loss of multiple children and ominous warnings from fortune tellers — Cianciulli became convinced that human sacrifice was the only way to keep her eldest son safe as he prepared to enter the military.

Topics covered

• true crime
• Italian crime
• human sacrifice
• superstition
• tragedy

Keywords

• Leonarda Cianciulli
• true crime
• Italian crime
• human sacrifice
• superstition

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Correggio

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