"I gave her body as a gift to the washing basin and the oven."
Italy, 1939. A quiet town in Correggio would become the backdrop for one of the most bizarre — and horrifying — stories in true crime history.
Leonarda Cianciulli, a devoted mother and local shopkeeper, transformed her victims into soap and tea cakes, earning her the grim nickname: The Soap-Maker of Correggio.
A Life of Misfortune
Leonarda’s life was marked by tragedy from the start:
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She attempted suicide twice as a young woman.
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She lost many children (some sources say up to 13) to miscarriages or early deaths, fueling her deep superstition and obsession with protecting her remaining children.
After moving to Correggio, she became well-liked as a fortune teller and herbalist — but beneath her kindness hid a dark plan.
The Murders
Terrified that her beloved eldest son would die while serving in World War II, Leonarda believed she had to offer human sacrifices to keep him safe.
Between 1939 and 1940, she killed three women:
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Faustina Setti — a lonely woman looking for a husband. Leonarda drugged and killed her, then turned her body into soap and tea cakes.
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Francesca Soavi — tricked with a promise of a job.
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Virginia Cacioppo — a former soprano promised a teaching position. Leonarda described her flesh as "fat and white," ideal for making soap.
She gave the soap to neighbors and even shared the tea cakes — a horrifying level of deception and manipulation.
The Arrest
Suspicion rose after Virginia Cacioppo disappeared and her sister demanded an investigation.
Police found incriminating evidence in Leonarda’s home. She confessed without hesitation, describing her methods in disturbing detail and even boasting about her "fine soap."
The Outcome
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Leonarda was tried in 1946 and found guilty of all three murders.
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She was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 3 years in a criminal asylum, fulfilling a prediction she claimed a fortune teller had once made.
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She died in 1970.
Legacy and Lore
Leonarda's crimes continue to fascinate true crime enthusiasts, inspiring books, documentaries, and even operas.
Her case stands out not only for its brutality but also for its bizarre, almost theatrical methods and motives.
Final Thought
Leonarda Cianciulli’s story is proof that true evil often hides in plain sight, disguised as a neighbor, a friend — or even a loving mother.
Follow Killer Thoughts and Twisted Plots every Wednesday for shocking profiles of women who committed the unimaginable.
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