15 Most Disturbing Facts You Didn’t Know About Serial Killers
Despite what you may think, serial killers are usually not deranged loners or obvious threats. Many maintain jobs, families, and social lives while hiding patterns of cruelty. Their crimes tend to reveal a cold pattern, which stays in public memory because they show how far human cruelty can go.
If you think you already understand what makes a serial killer, these details may feel unsettlingly unfamiliar.
Some Eat Their Victims
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Cannibalism actually happens. Jeffrey Dahmer lured men to his apartment, killed them, and stored their body parts in his fridge to eat later. He is not the only one, either. For some killers, the urge to consume their victims is part of their control and power.
Victims Are Still Missing Even Decades Later
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John Wayne Gacy murdered 33 young men and boys and buried 26 under his house. As of 2024, five are still unidentified. Samuel Little confessed to killing 93 people, but investigators have confirmed only 60. Every unidentified victim is a sign of how much we still do not know.
Some Killers Taunt Police and the Media
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For some, murder is not enough. They want attention. Dennis Rader, known as BTK, mailed letters to the police describing his crimes. The Zodiac killer sent coded messages to newspapers. Son of Sam wrote mocking letters to the press. These were part of the plan to play games with investigators and feel superior.
One Killer Sketched His Victims From Memory
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Samuel Little not only confessed to dozens of murders, but he also drew portraits of many victims from memory. Investigators released the drawings in hopes that someone might recognize them. It was as if he wanted to be the last person to remember their faces and control how they were remembered.
Some Were Trusted Helpers Turned Murderers
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Ted Bundy volunteered at a suicide hotline. He even shared his thoughts about other killers while waiting for execution. Dennis Rader installed home security systems while secretly breaking into homes and murdering people inside. The fact that they helped people while killing others shows how easily they hid their crimes.
Many Keep “Trophies” From Their Crimes
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Jewelry, clothes, bones, and body parts are often taken as reminders. BTK collected items from his victims and sometimes arranged their bodies before leaving. The objects were proof of their power and a way to hold on to the memory.
Some Stop Killing for Years, Then Start Again
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Many cases go cold before the killer returns and starts again. These long breaks make it harder for police to connect the crimes. Lonnie Franklin Jr., known as the “Grim Sleeper,” stopped killing for over 10 years before murdering again.
Many Murders Were Ruled “Accidents” for Years
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Samuel Little targeted women struggling with addiction or living on the margins. He would knock them out with punches and then strangle them. Because there were no stab or bullet wounds, many deaths were wrongly ruled as overdoses or accidents. It took DNA evidence and his later confessions to reveal the truth.
They Often Choose Victims No One Will Miss
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Gary Ridgway said he targeted homeless women and women in vulnerable situations because he thought “no one would care.” Chester Turner killed women in Los Angeles, and one of his murders was blamed on an innocent man. That man spent nine years in prison before being cleared. Many killers rely on society’s neglect to avoid detection.
Bodies Are Sometimes Hidden in Plain Sight
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Police searching Gacy’s home found dozens of bodies under the floor. Joel Rifkin kept belongings from his victims in his bedroom while living with his mother. Robert Yates buried one victim in his own backyard while his family lived inside the house. Often, the remains were closer than anyone realized.
Some Turn Victims Into Furniture
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Ed Gein, whose crimes inspired Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, created household items from human remains. Investigators found lampshades made of human skin, bowls crafted from skulls, and clothing sewn from body parts in his Wisconsin farmhouse.
One Man Confessed to 93 Murders
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Samuel Little is considered America’s most prolific serial killer. He killed across 19 states over 30 years. He was convicted of eight murders, but investigators have confirmed dozens more based on his confessions and evidence. Many of his victims still have not been identified.
Many Hold Trusted Positions
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Some serial killers are police officers, fathers, employees, and church members. Joseph DeAngelo, the Golden State Killer, was a police officer. BTK worked as a compliance officer. Robert Yates was a decorated Army pilot. Their positions helped them avoid suspicion.
Some Escape Custody and Kill Again
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Ted Bundy escaped from police twice. During his second escape, he killed two college students and a 12-year-old girl before being caught again. These escapes are a reminder of how small mistakes in the system can cost innocent lives.
Thousands Might Still Be Active
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Experts estimate that 25 to 50 active serial killers could still be operating in the United States today. Many cases remain unsolved, and some murders are never linked together. The most disturbing fact of all is that some of them might never be caught.