Catherine Deshayes

Caterine Deshayes, sometimes known as Catherine Monvoisin, or simply La Voisin was a murderous French serial killer. She was born around 1640, and executed as a witch on 16 February 1680, in Paris; together with several others. She played an important role in the so-called Affair of the Poisons. She lived from charging high fees to make horosocopes. She celebrated black masses, practiced abortions, sold love potions and poisons. She is said to have sacrificed infants. Together with the Hellfire club this is one of the earliest known examples of theistic satanism.

Many nobles were among her clients, among them, Madame de Montespan a courtesan of Louis XIV.

References

• Anne Somerset - The Affair of the Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, and Satanism at the Court of Louis XIV (St. Martin's Press (October 12, 2003) ISBN 0-312-33017-0)
• Excerpts from Bastille trial records of Guibourg and LaVoisin (French and English translation)