Episode 801: Blanche Taylor Moore, The Oldest Woman on Death Row (Part 1)

When the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation and Blanche was charged with the attempted murder, the arrest came as a shock to those who knew her. How was it possible that someone they all knew as “a sweet, Christian lady”—was an attempted murderer? And if she had been cunning enough to hide that side of herself from her community, what else had she been hiding? References Associated Press. 1989. "Arsenic victim feels 'sorrow' for his wife." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), August 16: 1. Avery, Sarah. 1990. "Blanche Moore finally gets days in court." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 15: 1. Catanoso, Justin. 1990. "Arsenix suspect Moore: temptress or churchwoman." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 23: 1. —. 1990. "Moore breaks her silence." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), November 8: 1. —. 1990. "Moore insisted on haircut after poisoning." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 26: 1. Catanoso, Justin, and Taft Wireback. 1990. "Blanche sentenced to die." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), November 17: 1. Chapman, Dan. 1989. "Rumors are out of hand, attorney for woman says." Winston-Salem Journal, July 23: 1. Hoke, Kathy. 1989. "2nd body to be exhumed for arsenic." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), July 4: 1. Leland, Eizabeth. 1990. "Moore guilty in arsenic poisoning." The Charlotte Observer, November 15: 1. Nowell, Paul. 1990. "Did prosectution link Moore to arsenic?" The Charlotte Observer, November 13: 1. Schutze, Jim. 1993. Preacher's Girl: The Life and Crimes of Blanche Taylor Moore. New York, NY: Avon. Stinebaker, Joe. 1989. "Moore's friends confused, saddened by recent events." Winston-Salem Journal, July 23: 1. Struck, Doug. 1989. "Pastor's wife: Arsenic and old lace?" Los Angeles Times, August 22. United Press International. 1989. "Accused arsenic killer described as loving person." United Press International, July 29. Williams, Ed. 1986. "Woman sues Kroger, alleges sex harassment." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), January 24. Williams, Ed, and Taft Wireback. 1989. "Why did someone want him dead." News and Record (Greensboro, NC), October 3: 1. Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022) Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023) Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025) Listener Tale Theme Music licensed from https://www.purple-planet.com Main Theme: Matti Paalanen — Trick or Treat — Provided by Jamendo Ad Music: Title: Artist: BlueJay Studio — Spooky Waltz — Provided by Jamendo