Jane Toppan had become a crutch to the prominent Davis family as they were struck by tragedy after tragedy.

It was summer and the wealthy railroad dynasty had welcomed their longtime friend and adored ‘jolly’ nurse into their idyllic Cape Cod home.

But, one by one, the family members suddenly dropped dead.

In just over a month, four had died - succumbing to a seemingly unrelated myriad of illnesses.

Family matriarch Mary ‘Mattie’ Davis was first, with her death explained away by her diabetes.