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The Chloroformist: Christos Georgalas, the Notorious Doctor of Death

Fred Foster

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In the annals of true crime, few figures loom as large or as chilling as Christos Georgalas, the "Chloroformist." A Greek doctor who preyed on vulnerable women during the early 20th century, Georgalas's crimes were both heinous and prolific. His modus operandi involved administering chloroform to his victims, rendering them unconscious and helpless before robbing and murdering them.

The Chloroformist

by Christos Georgalas

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Born in 1876 on the island of Corfu, Georgalas was a brilliant but troubled young man. He excelled in his studies, graduating from medical school with honors. However, his promising career was soon overshadowed by a growing addiction to gambling. Desperate for money to feed his habit, Georgalas began to prey on his female patients.

Georgalas's first known victims were two young women whom he killed in 1904. He lured them to his apartment under the guise of offering them medical treatment, then chloroformized and robbed them before disposing of their bodies in a nearby canal. Over the next few years, Georgalas continued to target unsuspecting women, primarily domestic servants and prostitutes.

Georgalas's crimes went undetected for some time. He was a respected member of the community, and his victims were often from marginalized groups who were less likely to be missed or mourned. However, as the body count grew, suspicions began to arise. In 1909, after the disappearance of a young woman named Eleni Karagianni, the police finally launched an investigation.

The investigation quickly focused on Georgalas, who had been seen with Karagianni on the night of her disappearance. When the police searched his apartment, they discovered a cache of stolen jewelry and other items belonging to his victims. Georgalas was arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.

The trial of Christos Georgalas was a sensation. The public was horrified by the details of his crimes, and the media dubbed him the "Chloroformist." Georgalas remained unrepentant throughout the trial, claiming that he had only killed women who had wronged him in some way.

In 1910, Georgalas was found guilty of 13 murders. He was sentenced to death and executed by firing squad on August 12, 1910. To this day, the Chloroformist remains one of the most notorious serial killers in Greek history.

Modus Operandi

Georgalas's modus operandi was remarkably consistent throughout his killing spree. He would typically target young women who were vulnerable and unlikely to be missed. He would often lure them to his apartment under the guise of offering them medical treatment. Once they were inside, he would chloroform them, rob them, and then dispose of their bodies in a nearby canal or other remote location.

Georgalas was a skilled physician, and he used his knowledge of anatomy and medicine to his advantage. He knew precisely how much chloroform to administer to render his victims unconscious without killing them outright. He also knew how to dispose of their bodies in a way that would minimize the chances of being discovered.

Victims

The exact number of Georgalas's victims is unknown, but it is believed that he killed at least 13 women. His victims were primarily domestic servants and prostitutes, who were often from marginalized groups and less likely to be missed or mourned. Some of his known victims include:

Eleni Karagianni (1909)
Maria Karapanou (1906)
Sofia Polychronopoulou (1906)
Eleni Tzanetidou (1907)
Vasiliki Kanellopoulou (1908)

Trial and Execution

Georgalas's trial was a sensation. The public was horrified by the details of his crimes, and the media dubbed him the "Chloroformist." Georgalas remained unrepentant throughout the trial, claiming that he had only killed women who had wronged him in some way.

Legacy

The crimes of Christos Georgalas have left a lasting legacy in Greek society. He is remembered as one of the most prolific and depraved serial killers in the country's history. His case has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and documentaries. In 2010, a monument was erected in his memory on the site of his former apartment.

The Chloroformist's crimes also serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of addiction and the importance of mental health care. Georgalas was a brilliant young man who was ultimately destroyed by his gambling addiction. His case is a reminder that even the most seemingly respectable people can be capable of great evil.

The Chloroformist

by Christos Georgalas

4.1 out of 5