Iran woman sentenced to death for killing at least 10 husbands

Kolthoum Akbari, a 56-year-old Iranian woman, has been sentenced to death after confessing to the murders of at least 10 men over nearly two decades. The convictions stem from investigations in the Mazandaran province of northern Iran.

Authorities state that Akbari primarily targeted elderly men, often widowers or those living alone, through temporary marriages known as ‘sigheh’. Investigators found a pattern in which Akbari would administer sedatives or industrial alcohol in drinks to incapacitate her victims before suffocating them with a towel.

The case gained prominence in 2023 following the death of 82-year-old Gholamreza Babaei. His children became suspicious after he reported feeling near-unconsciousness after consuming beverages prepared by Akbari. Subsequent investigations revealed a consistent pattern of similar deaths involving men who had entered temporary marriages with her.

Akbari received 10 death sentences for the murders and an additional prison sentence for attempted homicide. The sentence remains subject to appeal.