Episode 54: The Soap-Making Serial Killer of Correggio

This episode of Wyrd Wessex delves into the chilling story of Leonarda Cianciulli, the "Soap Maker of Correggio." Hosts Craig and Andy explore Leonarda's troubled upbringing, marked by abuse and neglect, and her later life, filled with tragedy and superstition. They recount her 17 pregnancies, the loss of 13 children, and her descent into fortune-telling.

The heart of the story focuses on Leonarda's belief in a family curse and her desperate attempt to protect her son during wartime. This leads to the horrific murders of three women, whose bodies she dismembered and used to make soap and cakes. The hosts detail the gruesome methods and chillingly matter-of-fact statements attributed to Leonarda.

However, the episode also highlights the inconsistencies and questionable authenticity of the commonly told story. They discuss the possibility that Leonarda's memoir, the primary source for the details, may have been ghostwritten by her lawyers to present her in a more sympathetic light. They also touch on the disputed details of her parentage and the potential for mental illness as a factor in her crimes.

Join Andy and Craig as they unpack this dark and complex case, exploring the line between fact and legend, and questioning the true nature of Leonarda Cianciulli's motivations. Was she driven by a curse, mental illness, or simply a deeply disturbed mind?

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Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens

Edited by Craig Brooks

Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)

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Episode 54: The Soap-Making Serial Killer of Correggio

Wyrd Wessex

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