Jessie King was born on March 27, 1861, in Glasgow, Scotland. She grew up in a difficult environment. When she became pregnant out of wedlock, she faced challenges due to poverty. To support her and her child, Jessie met Thomas Pearson. Pearson had a middle-class background but had left his wife and children. He struggled with alcoholism.

Jessie had her own children, including a son named Thomas. In addition to her biological children, she also adopted other children. The family lived together, but their situation was not stable. The combination of poverty and Pearson's drinking habits created a tense atmosphere in their home.

As time passed, neighbors began to notice that some of Jessie's adopted children had gone missing. This raised suspicions and led to investigations. It was a troubling time for Jessie and Pearson, as their living circumstances were scrutinized by those around them.

In October 1888, a group of people in Stockbridge discovered the body of an infant wrapped in oilskin in the street. This tragic event led to suspicions about Jessie King and her partner, Thomas Pearson. Neighbors had noticed that three of their adopted children had disappeared. When the authorities raided their house, they found a second dead infant, a baby girl named Violet, hidden in the coal closet.

King was arrested on charges of murdering the children, all of whom had been adopted through newspaper ads. These children were the offspring of domestic servants or factory girls. After her arrest, King initially confessed, stating she was guilty and that Pearson was unaware of the children's fates. However, she later recanted her confession, claiming that Pearson had masterminded the killings. The authorities did not accept her new claim. Her Catholic confessor even appealed to the Secretary of State for a reconsideration of her case, which was also rejected.

While awaiting her trial, King was held in Calton Jail and reportedly attempted suicide several times. Her trial started in February 1889. During this time, medical testimony was provided to assess her mental state. Pearson received immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying against King. Despite the examinations of her mental health, the court deemed her competent to stand trial. The media portrayed King as a morally fallen woman.

The jury took only four minutes to deliberate before finding King guilty. She was sentenced to death and was hanged in Edinburgh on March 11, 1889. After her execution, she was buried near what is now St. Andrew's House. Pearson died in Glasgow in 1890.

Over the years, some scholars have questioned King’s guilt. Certain details raised doubts, such as the location of the second child's body and evidence that suggested Pearson might have been the true killer. Some also believed King may have suffered from mental illness. Despite these doubts, King’s conviction remained.