Ruth Snyder

Ruth Snyder was a housewife from Queens who, after beginning an affair with a married salesman Henry Gray, began to plot the death of her husband. Albert Snyder was very fond of his late fiancée, and would remark to Ruth that she was “the finest woman I have ever met,” despite being dead for 10 years. Ruth persuaded her husband to purchase life insurance that would double should he die in a case of unexpected violence. According to Ruth’s lover, she made at least 7 attempts to kill her husband – all of which failed. The two of them bound Albert and stuffed his nose with chloroform soaked rags in an attempt to stage a burglary. Gray when caught confessed immediately and he and Ruth were convicted of homicide, and both sentenced to death. A photograph of Ruth being electrocuted in 1928 is part of the Smithsonian collection.

Ruth was served chicken parmesan with alfredo pasta, ice cream, 2 milkshakes, and a 12-pack of grape soda for her last meal.