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Serial Killers

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Information on Serial Killers

This lens has Information on those among us who exhibit some of the worst behaviours of human nature. What makes them tick? How did they get that way? Who are these people?

Learn about different serial killers, how they get caught, their fetishes, how they are profiled, and more.

I'm a crime show addict (well, okay, fan) and since the days of Ted Bundy I have been intrigued by serial killers.  If I ever get a serious inkling to change careers, criminal profiling would be my one of my first choices. 

What is a Serial Killer?

A serial killer is someone who kills at least three or more people at different times. (A mass murderer is one who kills multiple victims at the same time.) Many of the most infamous serial killers were sexually motivated. Most are "seemingly normal" in their daily lives, and their communities and even families are often shocked when their crimes are discovered.

Perhaps you've heard of the "MacDonald triad" of warning signs of childhood behaviors of serial killers. They are three childhood behaviors reported by many serial killers. These three are bed-wetting, starting fires, and cruelty to animals. Many serial killers report all three, or some combination of them.

Is Joran Van der Sloot a serial killer?

Joran Van der Sloot is in jail in Peru on suspicion of the murder of Stephanie Flores Rameriz. Van der Sloot was a prime suspect in the disappearance of American Natalie Holloway in Aruba. The evidence so far in the Rameriz murder seems pretty strong. Van der Sloot is also wanted in Alabama for allegedly trying to extort money from Holloway's family in return for telling them what happened to her. Is Joran Van der Sloot a serial killer?

A serial killer is one who kills at least three people with a coolling off period in between killings. So, unless evidence is found that he has committed another murder, he will not be technically classified as a serial killer even if he is eventually convicted or confesses to both these murders.

Here is the video of Van der Sloot and Rameriz released by Peruvian police.

Unsolved Serial Killer Cases

Still out there???

Peruse these links to discover unsolved serial killer cases.
LA Crime Examiner: Grim Sleeper serial killer introduction
Los Angeles Article: Grim Sleeper serial killer introduction by local LA Crime Examiner expert, Kryssie Mackey.
The Frankford Slasher
In the late 1980's in Pennsylvania, eight women are raped and killed. One man is in jail. But, is he the killer?
The Axeman of New Orleans
A long-ago tale of a madman murdering people in their homes in New orleans.
French Serial Killer on Trial; Wife May Have Helped
A serial killer is facing trial for the deaths of seven women, but may have murdered many more, reports Jason Burke in Charleville-Mézières
Unsolved Serial Killer Cases - uSleuth
These are the killers that may still be out there... (forum)

Cleveland man accused of 11 murders, other charges

Anthony Sowell is accused of the murders of 11 women whose remains were found in and around his home. He was recently also charged with the rape of another woman.

Here's the story: Cleveland Murder Suspect Faces New Charges

Richard Kuklinski, ADA "The Iceman"

Chilling, eerie, scary

The Iceman InterviewsThe story of "The Iceman", considered one of the most diabolical killers in history is chilling, eerie, and scary. The "Iceman" talks so calmly about killing people. It was his job and he is matter-of-fact about it. If you ever wondered what it's like to be a Mafia hit man, Kuklinski can tell you.

His killing career essentially started at the age of 17 when he fought back by beating a bully to death with an iron rod. It ended many years and many, many killings (150 to 200) later.

The Iceman Interviews answers many, but not all of our questions, and we are left with a feeling that some people we just won't ever understand. You can buy The Iceman Interviews from Amazon.com

Female Ex-Wrestler convicted of "Little Old Lady" Killings in Mexico

Fifty-year old Juana Barazza admitted to four of the 16 killings she was convicted of, and fingerprint evidence convicted her of the others.
Female Serial Killer Convicted
A Former female wrestler who terrorized Mexico City as the "Little Old Lady Killer" was sentenced to 759 years in jail on Monday for killing 16 elderly women

Is Joseph Edward Duncan III a Serial Killer?

Although I can't find official references to Duncan as a serial killer, he is certainly a mass murderer who killed three family members (mother Brenda, brother Slade, and Brenda's fiance Mark McKenzie) of Dylan and Shasta Groene before kidnapping, torturing and sexually abusing both children and then killing 9-year-old Dylan, for which he received the death penalty. Eight-year-old Shasta survived the ordeal after being recognized in a restaurant with Duncan.

Duncan is also charged with the 1997 killing of 10-year-old Anthony Martinez in Calfornia and has said he killed two girls in Seattle in 1996.

I believe the official serial killer designation is given after conviction of at least three separate murders on three separate occasions (with a "cooling off" period in between murders). Regardless, this man is a monster and sexual predator, and sexual predators often do progress to serial killer. Duncan was convicted and sent to prison for the 1980 rape of a boy at gunpoint, and these killings (and perhaps more?) were all after his release from prison for that offense.
Death Penalty for Joseph Edward Duncan, III
Joseph Edward Duncan III is given the death penalty for kidnapping, torturing, raping and killing 9-year-old Dylan Groene.
More on Joseph Duncan III's sentencing
More info on Duncan's sentencing and info presented in the case.

Terrorists Mimic Ted Bundy's Tactics

Ted Bundy often pretended to be physically injured to get victims to come closer to him so that he could then capture them, often by whacking them with the cane or cast he was using as his lure.

Terrorists are mocking his technique. Read this article to find out how they mimic the notorious serial killer to prey on victims, too.

Serial Killer Profiles

All different, yet somehow similar.

Spotlights on various serial killers.
Aileen Wuornos
Great feature on the lesbian-prostitute-serial killer, executed in Florida in 2002. "I'm one who seriously hates human life and would kill again," she wrote.

Aileen is still an enigma to many criminal analysts. Female serial killers are not as rare as once believed, but her killing is more "typical" of other serial killers, with sort of a "shoe's on the other foot" thread. Prostitutes are common targets, not usually the killer.

With the rampant violence against women and the rate of child sexual abuse toward little girls, one almost thinks there might be more female serial killers than we know about. Maybe Aileen can teach us what to look for in some of them.
Keith Hunter Jesperson
Crime Library feature on the "Happy Face Killer," named after his drawings on letters to the media. I find Jesperson just creepy.
Westley Allan Dodd
Crime Library feature on the man who raped, tortured, and murdered little boys. This guy is scary and evil. He even looks the part.
Kendall Francois,
Crime Library feature on the African-American serial killer who preyed upon prostitutes. Amazingly, his family lived in the same house with rotting corpses and he told them it was dead racoons. They never suspected. I find that difficult to believe, but I don't have anything to compare it to.
Gary Heidnik
Crime Library feature on the man who kidnapped women in a twisted attempt to start a family.
Henry Louis Wallace
Crime Library article on the serial rapist and killer who claimed 9 lives in a 2-year period.
Robert Yates
The life and crimes of the Spokane, Washington, serial killer. Another "family man" killer, Yates was retired from the military and looks like your ordinary, average guy.
Richard Kuklinski
Presents the story of "The Iceman" considered one of the most diabolical killers in history. Includes photos and links. If you've seen the show on A & E on him, you know what they mean by "iceman". He talks so calmly about killing people. It was his job and he is matter-of-fact about it. I recently watched another documentary with him on A&E where he is interviewed by Dr. Dietz. In the last part, he asks Dietz for his take on him (Iceman). He wants to know why he is the way he is. Fascinating stuff.
Richard Rameriz
The Night Stalker who worshipped Satan, loved to "kill people" and was caught by citizens after he tried to steal a car. This guy is just weird for the sake of being weird.

His capture by ordinary citizens is way cool, though. And, the woman who married him after he went to jail? Mind-boggling.
Ted Bundy
Wiki article on one of America's most infamous, killer sociopaths. Handsome Ted Bundy is the first serial killer I'd ever heard of. For years, I thought he was an anomaly, but apparently he's just the cute one who got all the media attention. Bundy gave me nightmares - he was doing most of his killing when I was a young child and was in the media when I was a young adult.
Edmund Kemper
The story of the intelligent gruesome killer who killed his grandparents at 15, then after he was released as an adult, went on to kill several co-eds and his mother before being caught. Many theorize that if Kemper had killed his mother first, the other girls wouldn't have had to die. Kemper is very intelligent and by all accounts, quite likeable.
Donald Harvey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Serial Killer Donald Harvey calls himself an "angel of death". He's believed to have killed up to 57 people while working as an orderly in hospitals in Kentucky and Ohio.

In the News

World's most deadly serial killers
Who are the world's most deadly serial killers in recent history? This article lists them and the number of people they allegedly killed or claim to have killed.
Chessboard killer gets life sentence for killing 48
33-year old Russian 'chessboard killer' Alexander Pichushkin received a life sentence for killing 48 people and attempting to kill three others. He claims to have killed 63.

"In all these cases I killed for the same reason: to feel alive. The closer someone is to you, the more pleasant it is to kill," he said.
Florida Serial Killer Tied to Fourth Victim
A serial killer in Florida has been tied to a fourth victim, found in January in Daytona Beach. He kills his victims by shooting them in the head. Read the article for info on the killings and the profilers take on him.
Houston Police Hunt Serial Killer
Houston police are searching for a serial killer believed to have killed seven prostitutes in the last 22 months.
Canadian Pig Farmer Guilty of Six Murders
Fifty-eight year old Robert "Willie" Pinkton of British Columbia is convicted of Second Degree murder for killing six women. He faces additional charges in 20 more murders, and perhaps even more. His goal was to kill fifty women, take a break and kill 25 more.
BellaOnline Crime Site
Read Robin Rounds Whittemore's weekly crime column on BellaOnline.com.
Serial Killer in India?
Officials suspect a serial killer is on the loose in India.
Serial killer's penalty phase likely to carry emotional toll
STOCKTON, CA - Having already found him guilty of serial murders, a jury deciding the fate of William Jennings Choyce now may get a glimpse into the defendant's childhood and psychological makeup in the second part of his trial.
Serial killer on the loose in California, police say - CNN.com
Los Angeles, California, police detectives are looking for a serial killer who they believe killed at least 11 people, many of them prostitutes, over a 23-year period.
Henry Lee Jones, alleged serial killer, awaits trial in Memphis
Six years have passed since Ken Walker found his friend's body. Keith Gross was naked and hogtied. His throat had been slashed. The murder of 24-year-old Gross is the earliest killing linked to Henry Lee Jones, an alleged serial killer awaiting trial on charges he slaughtered an elderly Bartlett cou
AG - John Rodney McRae Guilty of Murder
Michigan.gov Home
AG Home | Site Map | Contact AG | Related Links | Online Services | FAQ
document.form2.SearchCriteria.size=18; News & Information
> Publications > Employment Opportunities > Press Releases > Con
Houston News - The Killer Next Door - page 1
Anthony Shore
DNA leads to suspect in 1970s Los Angeles serial killings - CNN.com
A man who Los Angeles police believe raped and murdered dozens of women decades ago was arrested by cold case investigators this month after a computer matched his DNA to evidence from two killings in the 1970s.
FBI serial-killer trucker: FBI report links truckers to serial-killer cases - OrlandoSentinel.com
A report from the FBI links truckers to serial-killer cases in Central Florida.

Jeffrey Dahmer

One of the most bizarre stories.

Books about Jeffrey Dahmer, the deeply disturbed killer who wanted to create a zombie of his very own.
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Zodiac

Zodiac was the self-appointed name of a serial killer in California during the late 1960's -- early 1970's. To this day, his crimes remain unsolved.

The book was written by Robert Graysmith, a cartoonist at the San Francisco Chronicle when the original Zodiac killer was killing people and sending letters to that paper.

Intrigued by the coded messages Zodiac included with his letters, Graysmith could not forget this heinous mystery. The personal effects on Graysmith (and others) of this case is haunting and terrifying.

The Zodiac movie based on Graysmithg's book is disturbing on many levels.

While not nearly as graphic as I would have thought, the movie does show a double shooting at about five minutes into it. A brutal double stabbing is the second and next to last killing we see by the Zodiac though, as the movie then turns to the cops and reporters who are trying to solve and report the crimes.

Reporter Paul Avery is played by Robert Downey, Jr, and while Avery was on his own addict's road to hell before Zodiac, you get the feeling that Zodiac maybe pushed him over the edge.

Inspector Toschi, played by Mark Ruffalo, shows us how the system is as frustrating as the criminals for the cops chasing them. Ruffalo makes him seem like a great police officer who had the bad misfortune to catch this impossible, career-identifying case.

If you follow criminology, and particularly criminal profiling, you will probably be stunned by how they worked to solve cases back then. The rules of evidence were almost totally lax and they essentially worked this case based on some pretty flimsy handwriting analysis. And, the jurisdictinal issues were so frustrating!

This movie is a must for criminology fans and criminal historians alike.

Ann Rule books

I've read many of her books, and I think The Stranger beside me was probably the first true-crime book I'd read. All her books are in-depth, gripping stories.
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Serial Killer Stuff on eBay

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Serial Killer Movies on DVD

Here are some movies about serial killers - some true stories, some fiction - for your collection.
Serial Killer Movies on DVD
From the classic Psycho to the recent Disturbia, take a look at these movies about the killers among us. Several of these stories, I talk about in this lens--the Iceman, for instance, or Aileen Wournos. So, watch the movies for the whole story and see if you can figure these people out!

The "Saw" Movies

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Dexter DVD's

If you'd rather watch Dexter than read the books, here are the dvd's:
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Dexter - the Novels

Our public service monster, serial killer/detective Dexter Morgan

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Criminal Profilers

The pros who "get inside" the minds of serial killers

Criminal Profilers in the Media
List of article links on profilers.
John Douglas Mindhunter
One of the FBI's original profilers. Douglas has written several books and his site has excellent information on profiling. His information on sexual predators is excellent.
Criminal Profiling
How criminal profiling started and how it's used to catch criminals today.
Dayle Hinman Chats with Court TV
Body of Evidence's Dayle Hinman discusses her career in criminal profiling. Her TV show on Court TV recaps some of these cases. -
History of Criminal Profiling
Learn how criminal profiling began and follow its development to its current place in criminal investigations.

Books about Serial Killers

Build your own library!

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Who's the worst of the worst?

Vote for which serial killer you think is the worst.

Okay, they are all bad, evil, horrifying. But, who do you think is going to the farthest depths of hell?

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Jeffrey Dahmer

5 points

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Edmund Kemper

3 points

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Ted Bundy

2 points

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Gary Ridgeway (Green River Killer)

2 points

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John Wayne Gacy

2 points

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Richard Ramirez (Night Stalker)

2 points

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Richard Kuklinski (The Iceman)

1 point

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Dennis Rader (BTK)

1 point

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Danny Rollings (Gainesville Ripper)

1 point

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David Berkowitz (Son of Sam)

1 point

Serial Killer Bookmarks

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Ed Gein - the Butcher of Plainfield

My review of Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield.

Basically, this movie was a big disappointment. It is "based on a true story" but contains as much fiction as it does fact.

The actor playing Ed Gein is totally unbelievable as Gein--just because he's big and strong and scary and Ed was not. When the movie started, I wondered for ages who was playing Ed Gein--when someone called this actor Ed Gein, I thought they were kidding!

This movie is really graphic with lots of bloody body parts and scenes of torture. Not my cup of tea and also not true to the story.

This is a horror film that gives little credence to the true story of Gein. His story is scary enough. I had hoped to learn more about what made him totally lose it and try to recreate his mother from (at first) buried bodies, and then, murder others in his quest to bring her back or become her or whatever he was after. But, alas, I couldn't believe this movie at all, and anyone who has even read a synopsis of Gein's crimes will not either.

Books about Criminal Profilers

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eBay stuff on Criminology

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Reader Feedback

Feel free to let me know what you think about this lens!

  • maggie2323 Apr 24, 2012 @ 6:51 pm | delete
    WOMEN SERIAL KILLERS AROUND THE WORLD 1560-1920

    Great new book about women serial killers. Can buy it now on amazon. Very interesting.
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  • andrew Mar 16, 2012 @ 12:04 am | delete
    very helpful peice of information. Serial killers on loose is a threat to every human being because they are not humans.

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  • rosalle Feb 8, 2012 @ 9:31 pm | delete
    Nice lens, thanks for sharing. Michael Page International
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  • cocktailsexaminer Aug 5, 2011 @ 1:03 pm | delete
    I think we all sort of have this morbid curiosity about serial killers - great lens topic.
  • jgelien Oct 25, 2010 @ 10:19 am | delete
    I don't know why I but I have always been fascinated by the warped and depraved minds among us. I have tons of books about various serial killers and i always try to figure out if something in their early development went horribly wrong or if they were (and I believe some people are) simply born evil. Absorbing lens.
  • spellbindingsisters Feb 28, 2012 @ 8:09 pm | delete
    I am too....
  • Oct 7, 2010 @ 9:00 am | delete
    Ever since everybody is comfortable, I will set up my issue. To begin with this matter , I have to confess that I am not a geek but a desperate wife, due to the fact that I think that my husband ought to take something like Buy Viagra , Generic Viagra or Viagra Online owing to things are not the same way they used to be, when we were just married. I need somebody's advice. Please, don't misunderstand me, but I have anyone else who is willing to give me a hand.
  • amandaquerque Sep 17, 2010 @ 12:14 am | delete
    I hear you on the career change! I have the same fascination! I am actually starting my online education for Forensic Psychology at the ripe age of 33! Never too late right!! It took me all these years to finally figure out what I want to do when I grow up....excellent lens!
  • Deborah Sep 17, 2010 @ 12:06 pm | delete
    That is so cool! I;m a wee bit (okay a lot) jealous! You should make a lens on what you learn--I'd be very interested. :D
  • wendymichelle00 Jun 15, 2010 @ 3:14 pm | delete
    Great lens! Very interesting. I am a new member stopping by, I just made a lens on Joran van der Sloot - please read and rate if you get a chance! I would appreciate your insight! :) www.squidoo.com/joran-van-der-sloot
  • Deborah Sep 17, 2010 @ 12:09 pm | delete
    Good job! I think Joran was well on his way to becoming a serial killer. Hopefully he won't have the chance now.
  • eccles1 Feb 3, 2010 @ 6:59 pm | delete
    Bringing awareness that the boogie man does exist among us ..
    good job!!
  • tbledsoe Feb 3, 2010 @ 6:11 pm | delete
    Love the lens, Deb. I find it fascinating too as to what makes someone capable of doing such horrible things.I love Criminal Minds & lots of other similar shows, but I try to keep it light. Too much of the macbre and I can't sleep at night!
  • anne reese Aug 25, 2009 @ 8:27 am | delete
    [ii am interested in serial killers also i wrote to john wayne gacy and he wrote me back i still have the letters and want to sell them if you knoe who i could contact let me knoe my e mail address is allstatannie@yahoo.comreply to FLASHBACK]
  • Deborah Sep 17, 2010 @ 12:10 pm | delete
    I have no idea! I know there is a market for these things, though.
  • FLASHBACK Jun 20, 2009 @ 1:10 pm | delete
    I have corresponded with serial murderers from all over the nation and a few in foreign countries. I can only speak for myself but it's the fascination and intruige of extreme human behavior that draws me to their mindset. Even though I may only catch a very small glimpse into their mind - as far as i'm concerned, unless your a Fed or cop or Forensic Psychologist etc - few if any people will ever get a glimpse into their mindset. Most that write to them these days, it appears are mainly doing it for kicks and to sell the art/letters on "Murderabilia" related online auction sites. Many of the high-profile killers are aware of this and tend to write less to others now.
  • wendymichelle00 Jun 15, 2010 @ 3:17 pm | delete
    Very true! I was shocked to see a woman on a TV interview selling necklaces that Ted Bundy sent her from prison. It was apparent that it was all for profit.
  • Deborah Sep 17, 2010 @ 12:13 pm | delete
    Interesting. Are you just trying to learn, or writing a book or something? I've never written anyone like that but find it very intriguing.
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Deborah

Hi, I'm Deborah  I am a writer, marketing coach, mom, gardener, reader, painter, and so on.  Ted Bundy was terrorizing the country when I was a teenager... more »

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