Geneva: The Poisonous Nurse

Geneva: The Poisonous Nurse

Author: Shane L. Waters, Wendy Cee, Gemma Hoskins November 18, 2025 Duration: 30:30
On a warm June day in 1868, the vibrant streets of Geneva were struck by the nerve-chilling act of a nurse... The nurse was known for her guiding hand, yet within her grip lurked poison and peril. In Geneva's boarding houses, a deadly pattern unfurled as inhabitants, one by one, fell prey to her lethal touch. The notorious poisoner remained undetected, her crime wave a blight on Switzerland's serene facade. In Season 36 of Foul Play, journeys are made through sinister corridors of history. Episode 9 scrutinizes how a caregiver's betrayal juxtaposed with the solace they're meant to provide. Her victims encompassed the wide spectrum of lodgers seeking refuge and recovery at these Geneva sanctuaries. Among them, a young woman, full of promise and vitality, whose dreams dissolved in her nurse's care. Her presence was a breath of fresh air, yet her sudden demise cast long shadows over her potential-filled journey. The ramifications of this nurse's actions penetrated deep, creating ripples of fear within Geneva's hospitality landscape. Her story exemplifies the catastrophic breach of trust when those tasked with healing wield power for harm, challenging the community's sense of security. Living through limited scientific insight, detectives struggled with tracing her subterfuge. Forensic limitations meant reliance on circumstantial evidence—a laborious collation of symptoms and the trail of poisoned fare. But ultimately, long hours of dogged pursuit yielded a resolution to her venomous vendetta. In 1868, Europe was on the brink of scientific advancement yet teetered amidst old-world vulnerabilities. Historical dichotomies were stark as trust and treachery collided in what was perceived to be sanctified environments. This episode invites you to journey into the darkness of trust abused wherein chilling bedside conduct reveals much about the era's healthcare dynamics. Listen for riveting reconstructions and forensic voice as we delve deeper into what drove her to such unforgivable deeds. --- Support Foul Play: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/foulplaypodcast Website: https://www.mythsandmalice.com/show/foul-play/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foul-play-crime-series/id1525832703 Follow us: Instagram: @foulplaycrimeseries Twitter: @foulplaypod

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.com


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Step back into an era of flickering gaslight and whispered secrets, where justice was often as murky as the London fog or as stark as a frontier town’s saloon. Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast exhumes long-forgotten criminal cases from the 1800s and early 1900s, meticulously piecing together stories that newspapers sensationalized and time nearly erased. Hosts Shane Waters, a veteran whose work helped shape the genre, and Wendy Cee, alongside researcher Gemma Hoskins, guide you through each meticulously researched season. They focus on a single, complete narrative, building the tension from the crime itself through the investigation and into the courtroom’s hushed drama. You’ll hear more than just the facts; you’ll get a sense of the societal pressures, the legal limitations, and the human lives entangled in each historical moment. This isn't about quick summaries-it's a deep, immersive audio experience that treats the past with the gravity it deserves. The podcast connects the dots using original documents, period accounts, and a clear-eyed analysis that separates legend from truth. It’s for anyone who wonders about the real stories lurking in the shadows of history, told with a journalist’s precision and a storyteller’s care for the victims and the complexities of their times. Listen to Foul Play for a compelling journey where every clue matters and history itself is the most important character.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Riverside: Cheri Jo Bates and The Zodiac Link [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:31
In Riverside, 1966, Cheri Jo Bates was brutally murdered, sparking questions...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPriv…
California: Zodiac's Letters & 340 Cipher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:26
When the infamous 340 Cipher arrived, it deepened the chilling puzzle that...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivac…
San Francisco: Paul Stine's Zodiac Cab Murder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:10
On a routine night in Presidio Heights, San Francisco, the Zodiac Killer...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
California: Zodiac's Attack on Bryan Hartnell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:03
The idyllic afternoon beside Lake Berryessa was shattered by the chilling...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Lake Berryessa: The Zodiac's Infamous Attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:36
Amidst the serene landscape of Lake Berryessa, the Zodiac Killer launched...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Trailer: San Francisco's Zodiac Killer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36
Unmask the terror of San Francisco's Zodiac Killer in this captivating preview. As we plunge into the darkness of the late 1960s, explore the chilling saga of a predator who methodically mesmerized and terrified Northern…
San Francisco: The Zodiac's First Letters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:13
In 1969, the Zodiac Killer, infamous for his cryptic ciphers, mailed his...Our Sponsors:* Check out Mood and use my code SHANE for a great deal: https://mood.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy…
Vallejo: Zodiac's Ferrin & Mageau Attack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:31
Uncover Zodiac's Ferrin & Mageau Attack, as Foul Play reveals... Experience the harrowing events of July 4th, 1969, in Vallejo, California, when the Zodiac Killer’s terrifying actions once again came to the fore. In this…
Mysteries on the True Crime Express [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:04
...1 historic steam train... ...9 exceptional true crime podcasts... ...9 tales woven with the spirit of Women's Day... ...Will YOU unravel the mysteries aboard?This International Women's Day, join Shane Waters and Wendy…
Benicia: Zodiac's Jensen & Faraday Murders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:09
Relive Zodiac's Jensen & Faraday Murders, delving into chilling... Join us as we revisit these infamous crimes that sent shockwaves through California. The narrative of Betty Lou Jensen and David Faraday’s tragic demise…