Helen Fowler

Helen Fowler lived in the red light district of Niagara Falls in New York State.

A mother of four, Helen was found guilty of collaborating in the murder of a 63 year old white man named George Fowler, with the help of her common law husband George Knight. George Fowler had been “out on the town” on the evening of his death, apparently boasting that he was carrying a large amount of cash. Helen Fowler and her partner beat George to death with a hammer in order to steal his money. Three of her children testified against her at trial.

Helen Fowler was executed by electric chair at Sing Sing prison on the 16th November 1944 at the age of 37 along with her partner George Knight. She was the only Afro-American woman to be electrocuted in New York State in the 20th Century.