Episode 59: Geraldine Santoro

On this week's episode of True Crime New England, Katie and Liz discuss a case from the 60s that encapsulates a very real and terrifying concept that is unfortunately prevalent to today: illegal, unsafe abortions. Native of Connecticut, Geraldine Santoro was a loving mother of two daughters who was in an abusive relationship with a man who was violent and physical with her. The couple lived in California, so Gerri took her two daughters and fled back to Connecticut, where she worked hard at a home for the disabled in order to take care of her family. There, she meets a dashing gentleman, has an extramarital affair, and becomes pregnant. When Gerri is 28 weeks pregnant, she gets word her estranged husband was coming to town, and fearing for her life, Gerri decided she needed to abort the fetus. In a motel room with her lover, an illegal abortion was performed and as a result, Gerri died. The image of this crime scene has become a symbol for the pro-choice movement, and Gerri's sisters, daughters, and granddaughters fight every day for abortion rights.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truecrimene/support