Talk of the Day

The “Crime Special: Women who murder!” was horrifically fascinating ( WD, June 26). It is difficult to understand women who became so depraved that they cold-bloodedly killed children – sometimes their own babies – and the elderly and infirm who were in their care. Those who lured other women to satisfy perverted partners seem to have come from dysfunctional families, which shows how important it is for society to recognise signs of toxic environments and take action early. In other cases, though, there seems to be little rhyme or reason for such sadistic behaviour. It certainly shows that – just sometimes – as Rudyard Kipling wrote, “The female of the species is more deadly than the male.” Diane, Auckland