S2 Ep8: Madame La Laurie, The Torturer of New Orleans

Devils in the Dark

This week, Helen and Danni go waaaay back to the 1800s to learn about the horrible crimes of slave owner and murderer Madame La Laurie. Despite being the centre of New Orleans folklore, and one of the key characters of American Horror Story’s Coven season, the real life of Delphine La Laurie is shrouded in mystery. After a string of unhappy marriages, Delphine was living the high life at her New Orleans mansion at 1140 Royal Street until her horrific crimes against enslaved people were exposed. Expect uncomfortable history, ridiculous names, and some of the most gruesome and unimaginable scenes in history.
Devils in The Dark contains graphic details of violence, mentions of suicide and details of the torture of enslaved people, and is not intended for all audiences. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
00:00 - Introduction
06:33 - The McCarty Family
13:22 - Delphine McCarty’s childhood
16:48 - Louis Barthélemy de McCarty remarries
20:57 - Delphine marries her first husband, Don Ramon de Lopez y Agulo
23:01 - The death of Don Ramon de Lopez y Angulo
24:04 - Delphine marries Jeane Blanque
31:26 - Delphine finds love again with Dr Louis La Laurie
34:17 - Delphine moves into 1140 Royal Street
35:31 - Rumours about Delphine begin to swirl
39:30 - The fire at 1140 Royal Street
41:37 - The horrific discovery
44:44 - Delphine’s escape
49:39 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by…
StitchFix. Head to www.stitchfix.co.uk/devils20 to try StitchFix’s personal styling service for free! And save 20% when you keep all 5 items in your fix.
CalmUK: Go to www.calm.com/devils to claim 40% a Calm Premium Subscription.
For updates on Devils in The Dark and all things true crime, head to @devilsinthedark on Instagram! You can also follow Helen Anderson at @helenanderz and Danni Howard at @thatdannihoward.
Special thanks to Woodcut Media.
Produced by Alexandra Jueno at Audioboom Studios.
If you have been affected by any of the themes in this week’s episode please consider contacting the following resources:
The Samaritans helpline: 116 123
Confidential Emotional Support Line: 01708 765200
Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999 (help is also available at live chat at https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/live-chat-helpline/ *times apply)
Sexual Assault Support Line: 01708 765200
Refuge domestic abuse helpline: 0808 2000 247 (live chat is also available at https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us *times apply)
Safeline domestic abuse helpline: 01926 402 498
Safeline national male survivor helpline: 0808 800 5005
See audioboom.com/about/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.