Nannie Doss, known as the 'Giggling Granny,' was an American serial killer who murdered at least 11 people, including her own grandson, over several decades. Born Nancy Hogan in Alabama in 1905, Doss endured a harsh childhood marked by poverty, demanding farm labor, and an abusive father.
Doss's criminal activity began in the 1920s, but her methods often involved readily available rat poison, making her crimes difficult to detect. She typically targeted family members, including her husbands, children, and grandchildren. Her unassuming demeanor and cheerful appearance, often seen smiling and chewing gum, allowed her to "hide in plain sight" as a seemingly harmless, middle-aged woman. Photographs from the time depict her as a plump, smiling woman in sensible dresses, sometimes laughing with law enforcement officers and legal professionals.
Her marriage to Robert Doss in 1947 was one of her final and most significant periods of murder. After her grandson Robert Jr. died in 1954, her daughter Melvina confessed that Doss had poisoned him. This confession led to an investigation that uncovered the extent of her crimes. Doss eventually confessed to killing 11 people in total. She became a peculiar figure in custody, with inmates requesting her pie recipes, and she was popular among prison staff.
Nannie Doss was convicted in 1955 for the murder of her grandson and sentenced to life in prison. She died in prison in 1965, at the age of 59. Her story has been recounted in books and documentaries, highlighting the chilling reality of a serial killer who operated undetected for decades.