Countess Elizabeth Báthory was a Hungarian noblewoman born in 1560, known for her alleged crimes in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. She is often referred to as one of history's most notorious female serial killers, accused of torturing and murdering young girls. Báthory believed that bathing in their blood would preserve her youth and beauty. Her actions led to her arrest in 1610, and after a lengthy investigation, she was placed under house arrest for the remainder of her life. The sensational nature of her story has inspired numerous legends, films, and books, solidifying her place in popular culture as a figure of horror.