Mary Bell

Mary at the age of eleven, when the murders occured.

This one makes it on my list for apparent reasons shes eleven and a killer of not only one boy but two. Quite shocking. Mary was born May 26th in the year of 1957 in England. She was convicted of manslaughter in 1968 for killing four year old Martin Brown and three year old Brian Howe.



Mother June with a picture of Martin

Mary killed Martin Brown when she was ten. The murder was overlooked and ruled accidental. There was an empty bottle of aspirin near, and there were no visible marks of any harm to the body. Mary actually wanted to get caught, she was the one who led police to the spot where he died. After the death she lingered around the family, asking the aunt and mother odd questions, "Do you miss Martin? Do you cry for him?" all while grinning. Martins mother June was also bothered by Mary, on one occasion she heard a knock at the door and it was Mary asking if she could see Martin. When the mother replied, "No, Pet, Martin is dead." Mary said, "Oh I know hes dead, I wanted to see him in his coffin."

Weeks later she killed Brian Howe, she and a friend Norma Bell (no relation) pretended to look for the boy, and even tried to lead his sister to the spot where he was lying to see her reaction; but they failed. Brian was strangled, nearby broken scissors lay in the grass. There were puncture marks in his thigh and part of his genitals were skinned. On Brians stomach there was an "M" mark made with a razor blade.



A message from Marys notebook

Mary throughout the whole trial was cold and elusive. She admitted to the murders, and actually wanted to get caught. She told various people and wrote in her notebook leaving messages everywhere. It just happened that no one took her seriously until her good friend Norma ratted her out. Then the trials of murder began, she was found guilty and sentenced to life in detention.
But got out at the age of 23. She is now a mother and just recently a grandmother in 2009. She won a court order giving her the right to anonymity for life, the identity of her daughter and granddaughter included. Sound fair? She has had three assumed identities and has moved five times since identified.

Even though her crimes are unthinkable and outrageous. Mary had a childhood that was actually quite similar. Her mother was a prostitute and left Mary on various occasions with strangers. When she was "at work" several times Mary would be at home and the door wouldn't be closed. Her mother was into bondage and dominant sexual acts with her customers. And often included Mary in these acts for money. This could paint a picture of her psychological portrait or she could just be a bad seed. You be the judge.