Born in 1540 in Stryków, then in the Kingdom of Poland, Jan Philopon Dambrovský rose through ecclesiastical ranks to become a notable figure in Moravia, which lay under the domain of the Holy Roman Empire. He assumed the role of dean of the Olomouc chapter, a position that conferred both religious prestige and significant influence within church and regional politics.

By 1572, events began to take a sinister turn. According to ecclesiastical sources, Dambrovský poisoned a string of four bishops, , starting with Vilém Prusinovský z Víckova, who died on 16 June 1572—his death was later suspected to be caused by poison. The remaining bishops, including perhaps candidates for the episcopal see, fell victim in the years that followed, although their identities and the precise timing remain largely undocumented and possibly sealed within Vatican Apostolic Archives.

When Bishop Stanislav Pavlovský took office in late 1585, he openly accused Dambrovský of these poisonings. The dean was promptly imprisoned at Hukvaldy Castle, and when he refused to declare his innocence, authorities detained him further. Amidst the investigation, Dambrovský attempted to escape but failed.

During interrogations—likely conducted by church authorities—Dambrovský confessed to the killings. Although the actual trial documents may no longer be accessible, the confession allowed the Olomouc ecclesiastical court to find him guilty on 3 February 1586, stripping him of all clerical privileges and status.

In an effort to solidify evidence and conclusions, Bishop Pavlovský sent two Jesuits on 20 July 1586 to re-interrogate Dambrovský at Hukvaldy Castle—possibly to prepare his case for secular execution. 

Finally, Dambrovský was turned over for capital punishment. While the precise date of his execution remains lost to history, the Olomouc Book of Půhon does record a "Priest Philopon," likely referring to him, and states that he was decapitated, in line with contemporary practices for clerical crimes.