8: Public Records
The United States has a dark history with some of the world’s most infamous serial killers, individuals whose crimes have left lasting impacts on society, the justice system, and pop culture.
Herman Webster Mudgett, better known as H.H. Holmes, is often referred to as America’s first serial killer. In the late 19th century, Holmes built a hotel in Chicago dubbed the “Murder Castle,” designed with hidden rooms and secret passages to trap and kill his victims. He is believed to have killed at least nine people, though some estimates put the number in the dozens.
Known as the “Gray Man,” Albert Fish was a cannibalistic serial killer who preyed on children during the early 20th century. His crimes shocked the public, particularly the brutal murder of young Grace Budd. Fish claimed he had killed multiple children, but the exact number remains uncertain. He was arrested and executed in 1936.
The Zodiac Killer (Active late 1960s)
The Zodiac Killer terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s, claiming responsibility for at least five murders, though he suggested he had killed as many as 37. He taunted police and newspapers with cryptic letters and ciphers, some of which remain unsolved. Despite extensive investigations, the Zodiac Killer was never identified.
One of the most notorious American serial killers, Ted Bundy confessed to killing at least 30 young women across several states during the 1970s. Known for his charisma and good looks, Bundy lured women to their deaths in various brutal ways. He escaped custody twice before finally being recaptured and executed in 1989.
Known as the “Killer Clown,” John Wayne Gacy murdered at least 33 young men and boys in Illinois during the 1970s. Gacy buried many of his victims in the crawl space of his home. His chilling double life as a community figure who dressed up as a clown while committing heinous acts shocked the nation. He was executed in 1994.
David Berkowitz, also known as the “Son of Sam,” terrorized New York City in the late 1970s. Claiming that a demon-possessed dog commanded him to kill, Berkowitz fatally shot six people and wounded others. His letters to the police and media created widespread panic until he was arrested in 1977.
Jeffrey Dahmer, also known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991. Dahmer’s crimes involved cannibalism, necrophilia, and other brutal acts. After being arrested in 1991, he was sentenced to life in prison, where he was later killed by a fellow inmate.
The “Green River Killer” Gary Ridgway is America’s most prolific confirmed serial killer, with 49 confirmed murders, though he claims to have killed as many as 71. Active in Washington state during the 1980s and 1990s, Ridgway primarily targeted vulnerable young women. He was apprehended in 2001 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Dennis Rader, the “BTK Killer” (Bind, Torture, Kill), murdered 10 people in Kansas between 1974 and 1991. Known for sending taunting letters to the police, Rader evaded capture until 2005, when he was finally identified through DNA evidence. He is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences.
Considered one of the most prolific killers in the U.S., Samuel Little confessed to 93 murders, primarily of women, between 1970 and 2005. He was convicted of several murders in 2012, and investigators have since confirmed at least 60 of his confessions.
Each of these serial killers left an indelible mark on American history, highlighting the importance of advancements in criminal profiling, forensic science, and law enforcement strategies to capture and prevent such individuals.
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