Classification: Legendary & Supernatural Humanoids

Temporal Range: 17th Century

Geographic Range: France then New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Diet: Possibly blood

Horde: Wretched Mortals

Originally called the “casquette girls” (or “filles à la cassette” in French), the Casket Girls came to New Orleans seeking a fresh start and perhaps even marriage. Their stories soon became ones of intrigue, mystery, and possibly even a touch of vampirism.

During the 17th century, many young women participated in the King’s Daughters program, which aimed to send single women to French colonies and provide them with dowries for marriage. However, many of the Casket Girls were not technically part of this program. Instead, they were shipped to colonies like Canada, New Orleans, and the West Indies as they were considered “undesirables.” Some came from hospitals or mental institutions, while others arrived from orphanages or convents. These girls often brought very little with them—just a few belongings in a small suitcase called a “casquette.”

Over time, the term “casquette” evolved into “casket,” taking on a much darker meaning. Many of these young women lived with Ursuline nuns and faced terrible treatment from prospective spouses. Soon, the nuns began noticing strange things about the girls. First, their pale skin, which seemed to blister and burn under the Louisiana sun. Second, their reluctance to part with their caskets.

One night, after deciding that some of the girls should return to France, the nuns inspected the caskets to see what the girls held so dearly. To their horror, the caskets were mysteriously empty.

Fearing the girls had succumbed to some supernatural plight, the nuns nailed shut all the windows and doors to their rooms to ensure they could never leave again. Tales of the Casket Girls suggest they were vampires, an iconic part of New Orleans folklore. And while there’s no definitive evidence they drank blood, all we are left with are those mysterious empty caskets.