TEHRAN( The COW News Digital) In a chilling case described as the most horrifying series of murders in Iran’s history, a woman accused of killing 11 of her husbands over 22 years has been formally charged in a Tehran court.
The suspect, identified as Kolsoum Akbari, is being dubbed the “Black Widow” by Iranian media. Prosecutors allege that between 2000 and 2023, Akbari deliberately married elderly and ailing men, slowly poisoning them to seize their money and property.
In court, Akbari reportedly confessed to the murders, admitting she targeted men who were already in poor health so their deaths would appear natural. She allegedly administered excessive doses of diabetes medication, stimulants, and, in some cases, industrial alcohol, leading to their deaths without raising suspicion.
For over two decades, these deaths were attributed to natural causes, allowing Akbari to evade justice. Her alleged killing spree came to an end only after the suspicious death of her last husband, Azizollah Babai, in 2023. Babai’s son raised doubts about his stepmother’s role in the death, prompting police to open a detailed investigation.
Authorities say Akbari also attempted to poison another man, who survived. This has resulted in an additional charge of attempted murder.
Court documents reveal that four families of the deceased have formally demanded the death penalty for Akbari. To date, more than 45 individuals have come forward in the case, accusing her of various crimes ranging from murder to fraud.
The prosecutor’s office described the crimes as “systematic, calculated, and motivated by greed,” warning that the case highlights serious gaps in detecting suspicious deaths, especially among the elderly. The trial is expected to proceed swiftly given the magnitude of the crimes and public outrage.
Iranian and international media have been closely following the case, with the “Black Widow” moniker spreading rapidly online. Legal experts suggest that if convicted, Akbari could face multiple death sentences, in line with Iran’s penal code for serial murder.
This case has sparked debate in Iran over the need for improved forensic investigations into deaths previously classified as natural, as well as tighter monitoring of individuals with suspicious marriage patterns.
The verdict is expected to be delivered soon, but for now, the “Black Widow” remains at the center of a storm of legal, media, and public attention—her decades-long trail of alleged killings leaving an indelible mark on the country’s criminal history.
