10 Nanny Doss (The Giggling Granny)
Case Study: Nannie Doss – The “Giggling Granny” and the Dark Side of Female Serial Killers
Nannie Doss, also known as the “Giggling Granny,” was a female serial killer active between the 1920s and 1954. Unlike Aileen Wuornos, whose murders were impulsive and emotionally charged, Doss was methodical, patient, and manipulative—a classic example of a female “black widow” killer. Her case challenges traditional views of psychopathy in women and highlights the differences between male and female serial killers from a forensic psychology perspective.
Background of Nannie Doss’ Crimes
Between 1920 and 1954, Nannie Doss murdered at least 11 people, including:
- Four husbands
- Her mother, sister, two children, two grandchildren, and a mother-in-law
Her method of choice? Poisoning—typically with arsenic or rat poison.
Unlike male serial killers who often kill for power, sadism, or sexual gratification, female serial killers—especially “black widows”—tend to kill for financial gain, convenience, or revenge.
Doss was unique because of her cheerful, friendly demeanor—she would giggle and joke about her crimes even after her arrest, which earned her the nickname “The Giggling Granny.”
Forensic Personality Assessment: Was Nannie Doss a Psychopath?
1. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and Doss’ Traits
| PCL-R Trait | Nannie Doss’ Behavior | Comparison to Bundy/Wuornos |
|---|---|---|
| Superficial Charm | Always friendly, smiled even after her arrest | Similar to Bundy, but more subtle |
| Grandiose Sense of Self | Saw herself as a romantic victim, deserving better | Less grandiose than Bundy |
| Pathological Lying | Lied to family and law enforcement to cover up murders | Similar to Bundy’s manipulativeness |
| Lack of Remorse | Laughed about her crimes, showed no guilt | Unlike Wuornos, who later admitted guilt |
| Manipulativeness | Convinced authorities she was a grieving widow | Highly manipulative |
| Impulsivity | Low—planned her murders meticulously | Unlike Wuornos, who was highly impulsive |
Why Doss Was Different from Other Female Killers
- Methodical and Patient – Unlike Wuornos, who killed in moments of rage, Doss took her time, poisoning victims over weeks or months.
- Completely Lacked Empathy – She laughed when discussing her crimes and showed no concern for her victims.
- Highly Manipulative – She used her sweet, grandmotherly appearance to avoid suspicion.
Her high manipulativeness, lack of remorse, and emotional detachment suggest she had strong psychopathic traits, but her careful, premeditated nature aligns more closely with malignant narcissism rather than impulsive psychopathy.
2. Personality Disorders in Nannie Doss: Malignant Narcissism and Psychopathy
Unlike Wuornos, who displayed borderline personality traits, Doss exhibited behaviors consistent with malignant narcissism and female psychopathy.
A. Malignant Narcissism
| Narcissistic Trait | Nannie Doss’ Behavior |
|---|---|
| Grandiosity | Believed she deserved better men, poisoned husbands for her “happiness” |
| Lack of Empathy | Killed family members without remorse |
| Manipulativeness | Deceived law enforcement and doctors |
| Need for Control | Eliminated people when they no longer served her purpose |
Unlike the overt arrogance of male narcissists, Doss’ narcissism was covert—she played the role of the victim and grieving widow to avoid suspicion.
B. Female Psychopathy vs. Male Psychopathy
| Trait | Female Psychopaths (Doss) | Male Psychopaths (Bundy, Dahmer) |
|---|---|---|
| Violence Style | Indirect (poisoning, manipulation) | Direct (stabbing, strangulation) |
| Victim Selection | Family, close acquaintances | Strangers, targeted individuals |
| Emotional Display | Charming, friendly, plays victim | Cold, detached, grandiose |
| Primary Motive | Financial gain, convenience, revenge | Power, sadism, sexual control |
Doss’ case supports research that female psychopaths are more likely to use indirect, manipulative means of murder, while male psychopaths tend to be more overtly violent and sadistic.
3. Theoretical Framework: Feminist Criminology and Female Serial Killers
Nannie Doss’ case aligns with feminist criminology, which argues that women’s crimes often reflect their societal roles and experiences.
A. Gendered Motives for Murder
Most female serial killers do not kill for power or sexual gratification, but rather for:
- Financial gain (inheritance, insurance money, eliminating burdens)
- Revenge or convenience
- Emotional control over family members
Doss’ case fits within this framework because:
- She killed husbands who did not meet her romantic expectations.
- She killed family members for personal gain and convenience.
4. Psychological Theories Applied to Nannie Doss
A. Social Learning Theory: Was Doss Taught to Kill?
- Doss grew up in a strict household with an abusive father.
- Her love of romance novels and media portrayals of “perfect love” may have shaped her unrealistic expectations of marriage.
- When real life didn’t match her fantasies, she eliminated husbands instead of leaving them.
Implication:
- Unlike Wuornos, who killed out of rage and trauma, Doss learned to manipulate and kill gradually, suggesting a social learning component.
B. The Triad of Female Serial Killers
While male serial killers often exhibit the Macdonald Triad (bedwetting, fire-setting, animal cruelty), female serial killers share different early indicators:
| Indicator | Nannie Doss’ History |
|---|---|
| Early Manipulation | Learned to control others through lies |
| History of Abuse | Grew up with a controlling, abusive father |
| Romanticized Love & Death | Obsessed with love stories and the idea of “perfect husbands” |
This supports the theory that female killers often have different developmental trajectories than males.
5. Conclusion: What Nannie Doss’ Case Teaches Us
- She was a calculated female psychopath.
- Unlike Wuornos, whose killings were impulsive, Doss was highly manipulative and patient.
- Her case challenges the idea that serial killers are always violent men.
- Doss used social skills, charm, and indirect means to murder, showing a different kind of psychopathy.
- Her killings reflect gendered patterns in serial murder.
- Women who kill tend to use poison, target people they know, and kill for practical reasons (money, convenience, control) rather than sadistic pleasure.
- She represents the “black widow” archetype in forensic psychology.
- Many female serial killers use marriage and caregiving roles to access and eliminate victims.
Final Thought
Unlike the rage-driven violence of Aileen Wuornos, Nannie Doss’ case is a reminder that serial killers are not always overtly violent or intimidating. Sometimes, they come with a smile, a plate of home-cooked food, and a carefully measured dose of poison.