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Frances Knorr Strangled Infants, Gruesome Baby Farming Business Unearthed
In 1860s Australia, Frances was desperate for money and resorted to killing infants placed in her care.
Frances meant well. It was hard to survive as a single woman in Australia as a single woman in the 1850s. However, that led her to ruthless murder. Of course, no hardship makes the murder of infants acceptable. Still, the circumstances of the case divided the public so decisively that the state’s hangman who was scheduled to execute Francess committed suicide a few days before.
What Made Her Do It?
Born in London on December 10, 1868, Frances moved to Australia when she was just 19 years old. Desperate to make ends meet, she initially worked as a domestic worker and soon married Rudolph Knorr, a German immigrant.
Even though both moved to Melbourne, the heart of Australia, 1892 was a dark time for all. In the midst of the Depression, even meager jobs were hard to find. To add to the hardship, Rudolph was sent to prison for petty fraud. Now, Frances was truly alone and mother to an infant. She…
