Random Murderous Restaurant Owner Was The First White Woman Ever To Be Sentenced To Death In Georgia (12 items)

(#6) An Anonymous Letter Eventually Led To Justice

An anonymous letter sent by an employee at Anjette's restaurant was what eventually led to justice. The employee mentioned that Anjette's maid told her there was poison all over the house she cleaned for the family.

Anjette claimed this was to deal with an insect infestation at the restaurant. Knowing the restaurant was not infested with any pests and concerned with Anjette's bizarre behavior, the employee tipped off the coroner, who then test young Marcia's body for poisoning.
(#5) Anjette Seemed Indifferent To Her Daughter Marcia's Death

Anjette directed a lot of hostility towards her young daughter Marcia. She sometimes called Marcia a “Lyles-looking son of a b*tch.” She also reportedly threatened to kill the child on several occasions. When Marcia was hospitalized after getting sick in 1958, Anjette started to receive serious suspicion from her community.

Anjette seemed certain her daughter would die, even going as far as to make funeral arrangements while Marcia was still alive. When Marcia began to have frightening hallucinations in the hospital, Anjette responded with laughter.

When Marcia eventually died from kidney failure at age nine, Anjette seemed indifferent.
(#10) She Was Charged With Four Counts Of Murder

Upon her arrest, Anjette Lyles was not just charged with her daughter Marcia’s murder. As both her husbands and her mother-in-law died of mysterious illnesses, there was suspicion she had poisoned them as well. Ultimately, she was charged with four counts of murder.
(#4) She Pretended To Care For Her Mother-In-Law While Secretly Poisoning Her

Julia Lyles, Anjette's mother-in-law from her first marriage, moved in with Anjette shortly after the death of her second husband. Anjette appeared to be playing the role of supportive daughter-in-law; however, she was actually poisoning Julia while pressuring her to make a will.

In August 1957, Julia became ill. Anjette visited her in the hospital, bringing her snacks and drinks that were likely poisoned. Julia died in September, and Anjette was quick to present a possibly forged will in which Julia signed most of her savings over to Anjette's family.
(#7) She Was A Beloved Community Member

Anjette Lyles never would have struck anyone in Macon, GA, as a murderer. In fact, she came off as a charming, friendly woman and was generally well liked in the community. When she worked as a waitress in her husband’s restaurant – which she would later come to own herself – patrons found her charismatic and kind.

No one would have ever expected Anjette would eventually be known across the country as a cold-hearted murderer.
(#11) She Attempted To Deflect Suspicion By Having Her Daughter Lie

Anjette Lyles attempted to save herself from suspicion when the coroner mentioned testing Marcia’s body for poisoning. She showed up at the office with her other young daughter, Carla, in tow. Anjette had Carla tell the coroner she had fed Marcia poison during a game of doctor with another child in the neighborhood.

The coroner did not believe the story, yet still recommended that Anjette warn the other child about the game. Anjette allegedly proceeded to call a random number from the phone book claiming it was that child's parent.

Later, the parent in question would reveal that not only had they not had a call from Anjette, but that their number wasn't even in the phone book to begin with.