Female Serial Killer Marybeth Tinning

Tinning's serial killings began on Jan. 3,1972 when Marybeth's newborn daughter Jennifer Tinning died in the hospital. The COD was acute meningitis. On Jan 20, 1972 Joesph Tinning Jr, 2 years old, arrived at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, NY dead. Doctors said he died of a viral infection and "Seizure Disorder". There was no autopsy performed. On March 20, 1972 Barbara Tinning age 4 dies. COD is "Cardiac arrest". This was the first case that was reported to the police but the case was closed after the police talked to the hospital staff. Between late 1972 through 1973 2 week old Timothy tinning dies at a different hospital. COD was SIDS. On September 2 1975 Nathan Tinning, 5 months old dies. COD "Pulmonary edema". On Feb 2, 1979 Mary tinning age 2 dies. COD was SIDS. On March 24, 1980 Jonathan Tinning, 3 months, dies but no COD was determined. On August 2,1981 Michael Tinning, age 3, dies at another hospital. COD was Bronchial pneumonia but his death had a high level of suspicion. On December 20, 1985 Tammi Tinning, 3 months old, was found in her bed. Her pillow had blood on it. She was rushed to the hospital where the COD was SIDS but the police were called anyway.

On Feb 4, 1986 Marybeth was arrested and confessed to putting a pillow over Tammi's face when the child "fussed and cried". She also confessed to Timothy and Nathan's death but not the others. Both were smothered with pillows and in Marybeth's words "because she was not a good mother". While in Jail Marybeth was diagnosed with Munchausen syndrome by proxy. On July 17, 1987 Marybeth was convicted of Tammi's murder. She was sentenced to 20 years.

It is sad that 20 years is all she got.