IRAN: Alleged female serial killer inspired by Agatha Christie novels

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Iran is all astir over the sensational case of the alleged serial killer inspired to hunt her elderly prey by the mystery novels of Agatha Christie.

According to press accounts, Iranian police arrested the 32-year-old alleged killer in the city of Qazvin, about 60 miles northwest of the capital.

She has been identified only by her first name, Mahin.

The suspect allegedly confessed to luring into her clutches elderly women by offering them rides in her car after prayers.

She allegedly lulled her passengers into a sense of security by telling them how much they reminded her of her own mother.

She allegedly served them fruit juice laced with sedatives and then strangled them before dumping their bodies and making off with their cash and jewelry.

Police say she has already admitted to killing five people and was arrested after a sixth victim managed to escape and reach police.

According to a report in the Guardian, Mahin told police she drew tips from popular Farsi-language translations of Agatha Christie to cover her tracks.

The Guardian says she was trying to collect cash to pay off debts of $25,000.

All her victims were older than 50, and the website of the Iranian police said her motive was ‘intense hatred toward her mother,’ according to a report published by Iran’s English-language Press TV.

Mahin is said to be Iran’s first-ever female serial killer.

Christie, the world-famous novelist who passed away 33 years ago, once visited Iran and wrote a short story, ‘The House at Shiraz,’ based on her visit to the picturesque southern Iranian city.

-- Borzou Daragahi in Beirut

Photo: Alleged Iranian serial killer Mahin. Credit: PressTV.com