⚖️ Final Sentence • 🕊️ Rest Without Mercy • 🌿 The Last Woman Hung
Recently, I stopped at the grave of Toni Jo Henry, the last woman hanged in Louisiana.
Toni Jo’s grave was very tricky to find. For my fellow grave hunters, she’s buried in Orange Grove–Graceland Cemetery in Lake Charles, on the west side of the cemetery along the fence line. Her story is this: Toni Jo Henry was executed in 1942 at just 26 years old for her role in a robbery that ended in murder, committed in an attempt to help free her husband from prison. Her case went through multiple trials, drew national attention, and ultimately made her the last woman executed in Louisiana.
A few interesting facts about Toni Jo: her real name was Annie Beatrice McQuiston. She changed her name later in life. Her case went through three trials. She became the only woman ever executed in Louisiana by electric chair. Her story inspired books and films decades later. Even now, she remains a singular figure in Louisiana criminal history. There is a movie on her life here.
If you like podcasts, listen to this podcast about her life. Also, see my post on Margaret Mitchell’s grave here (Gone With The Wind).
Liked this post? Subscribe for more:
Leave a Reply