Parents of the World’s Most Notorious Serial Killers

Joyce Flint and Lionel Dahmer - Jeffrey Dahmer

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Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes are known throughout the world. He took the lives of 17 men between 1978 and 1991 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His parents have spoken at length about their son, and claim that he was “a normal young boy”. In his memoir, Lionel wrote: “The only signs I saw was shyness and reluctance to engage in social interactions, that sort of thing.”

Mercedes and Julian Ramirez - Richard Ramirez

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Richard Ramirez is one of America’s most notorious serial killers. Known as the Night Stalker, he broke into random houses in LA in 1985, and assaulted and murdered the occupants. He suffered multiple accidental head injuries as a child, and became addicted to drugs at 15. His father Julian said:” I can't believe he would [do this]. But if the authorities there have proof, what can we do?”.

Eleanor Louise Campbell - Ted Bundy

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Eleanor Louise Campbell gave birth to Ted in 1946 at a center for unwed mothers in Burlington, Vermont. The father wasn’t known, but there have been rumors that Ted’s grandfather Samuel Cowell is actually his dad too. Eleanor gave her child to him and her grandmother, and Ted grew up thinking his mom was his sister, and that his grandparents were his mother and father.

Kathleen Maddox and Colonel Walker Henderson Scott - Charles Manson

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Kathleen Maddox didn’t want to be a mother. She was just 15 when her son was born, and listed him as “No Name Maddox” on his birth certificate at the hospital. She was a single mother by 16 when her new husband Bill left, and tried to give him away to a waitress at a diner. Charles was then raised by his aunt and uncle.

Daisy and Bill Letts - Rose West

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Rose West is one of the world’s most notorious murderers, along with her husband Fred. They killed 10 young women between 1973 and 1987 in the UK. Apparently, Daisy had several manic episodes, and struggled with her mental health throughout her life. Her father Bill was abusive to both Daisy and Rose.

Daisy and Walter West - Fred West

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Fred West actually killed two more people than his wife Rose did. Born to parents and Daisy and Walter, he had a disturbing childhood. He claimed he was introduced to sex by his mother at 12, and she encouraged bestiality. His family later testified against him, and his accusations collapsed in court. He was continually molesting and assaulting women before he started his murder spree.

Betty Scott and Olav Nilsen - Dennis Nilsen

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Dennis Nilsen’s parents were Betty Scott and Norwegian-born Olav Nilsen. Their marriage lasted seven years, but their divorce didn’t seem to have much effect on Dennis. In fact, Betty said: "I would like to speak to him to see why he [killed those men]. He was just nothing like what he has turned out to be... He was never nasty to anybody."

Kathleen and John Sutcliffe - Peter Sutcliffe (The Yorkshire Ripper)

Peter Sutcliffe’s parents had a turbulent marriage. His dad confronted his mom when she was having affair in a hotel room in 1970. He brought his son with him to the hotel, so a young Peter witnessed the whole thing. John Sutcliffe later said of his son’s crimes: “He deserves to be hanged. I love that lad… but I don't love him for what he's done.”

Kathleen and Kevin Dennehy - Joanna Dennehy

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Joanna Dennehy caused shockwaves when she decided to go on a killing spree in the UK. She stabbed five men in total, and two managed to survive. Her parents Kathleen and Kevin didn’t think their daughter was ever capable of something like that. In an interview, Kathleen said: “The girl that killed those people is not my daughter”.

Regina and William Sampsell - Todd Kohlhepp

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Todd Kohlhepp was born to parents Regina and William Sampsell. Todd claimed his first victim at just 15 years old, and spent 14 years in prison in Arizona. He went on a killing spree after he was released in 2001. But despite the murders he’s committed, his mother Regina has continued to defend him, and has claimed he is “smart, kind, and generous”.

Cathy Grieveson - Steven Grieveson (The Sunderland Strangler)

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Steven Grieveson had a troubled childhood. His mother Cathy and his father, who is unnamed, had an abusive relationship, and Steve went into care, where he was abused. He didn’t see his father after his parents split, and only saw his mum at weekends. Steve went on to murder three teenage boys, who allegedly killed them to stop them from revealing he was gay.

Lillian Graham Jeter - Marty Graham

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In 1986, Harrison Frank “Marty Graham” killed seven women in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. And his mother tried to defend him during his trial. She stood before the court and said: “I don’t think you should take his life... He didn’t kill those people. The real murderer is still out there. I’m asking you to listen to your heart."

Rosita and Howell Donaldson - Howell Donaldson III

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Howell Donaldson murdered four people in Tampa, Florida in 2017, known as the Seminole Heights murders. Throughout his case (and his prison sentence) his parents have continued to support him, and initially refused to cooperate with the police as they wanted to protect him. Mom Rosita continually complains about her son’s mental health in jail.

Amelia and Franklin Roof - Dylann Roof

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American white supremacist and neo-Nazi Dylann Roof conducted a mass murder at Charleston Church in 2015, where he shot nine Black worshippers dead. Amy repeatedly apologized on behalf of her son at his trial, and actually collapsed in the courtroom. She was rushed to hospital, and it was discovered she’d had a heart attack.

Sue and Thomas Klebold - Dylan Klebold

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This might be the most famous mom on the list. Dylan Klebold made history by killing 15 people in the Columbine High School shooting back in 1999, and Sue has gone on to publicly admit that she missed all the signs that eventually led her son to become a mass murderer. She’s done dozens of interviews, had two books written about her, and she’s even released her own memoir.

Viola and Anderson Lucas - Henry Lee Lucas

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One of the most infamous serial killers in the US, Henry Lee Lucas was convicted of 11 murders, but later confessed to hundreds. His dad died of alcoholism after losing his legs, and his mother worked as a prostitute. She got Henry involved with her clients and made him dance for them, and he eventually murdered her. This was the beginning of his murder spree in the 1960s.

Pearl and Nathan Berkowitz - David Berkowitz

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David Berkowitz’s true mother gave him up for adoption, so middle-class couple Pearl and Nathan were only too happy to bring him up. Pearl doted on him, and the two developed an intensely close relationship. She died when David was 14, and he didn’t really get on with Nathan at this point. He later killed eight people in NYC in the 1970s.

Clarnell and Edmund Kemper - Edmund Kemper

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Edmund Kemper's mother was thought to have borderline personality disorder, and was prone to fits of rage and paranoia. His father left while he was still young. Edmund started to display some worrying signs like killing the family cat, and Clarnell kept him locked in the basement. His sisters also tried to kill him. Edmund went on to kill his mom, her best friend, grandparents, and six other people.

Delle and Fred Albright - Charles Albright

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Charles Albright’s childhood was focused on hygiene and cleanliness. His adoptive mother Delle regularly took him to polio wards to warn him about germs, and abused him if he dared stand up to her or his adoptive father Fred. When she introduced him to taxidermy, he started fantasizing about murder. He later killed three people.

Diane Wuornos and Leo Pittman - Aileen Wuornos

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Aileen’s mother was just 14 years old when she married her father Leo, but their marriage quickly fell apart. Leo was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and became incarnated. He later hung himself, and her mother abandoned her and gave her away to her alcoholic grandparents. Aileen went on to murder seven men when she worked as a prostitute.

Augusta Gein and George Philip - Ed Gein

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Ed Gein’s crimes are world-renowned. Not only did he kill two women in the 1950s, but he also robbed graves and created trophies for himself from bodies. His father was an alcoholic and abused him, and he was unnervingly close to his mother Augusta, even though she shouted at him on a regular basis. Ed became a hermit when she passed away in 1945.

Vera and Harold Shipman - Harold Shipman

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Harold Shipman sent shockwaves around the globe when it was discovered that the doctor had been secretly murdering his patients. He killed an estimated 250 people, making him one of the world’s most prolific serial killers. His parents were working-class Methodists and doted on Harold. He was particularly close to mom Vera, but she died when he was 17.

Dorothea and William Rader - Dennis Rader

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Prolific serial killers Dennis Rader didn’t have much money growing up. Parents Dorothea and William worked long hours, and didn’t really have time to spend with their kids. Dennis said he resented his parents for it, and started torturing and killing animals at a young age. He killed ten people in total, and sent long letters detailing his crimes to the police.

Dorothy Young and Richard Watts - Carl 'Coral' Watts

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Known as The Sunday Morning Slasher, Carl ‘Coral’ Watts was born to Dorothy and Richard Watts, who later divorced. Carl seemed fairly happy being raised by his mom until he contracted meningitis at 8 years old. He had to be kept apart from other patients, and began struggling with his memory. He went on to murder over 100 women and young girls.

Faye and Homer Williams - Wayne Williams

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Wayne Williams was raised by parents Faye and Homer Williams, who were both teachers. He had a fairly happy childhood, and went on to study radio and journalism. However, in the early 80s, he became a suspect in the two murders of two men in Atlanta. He was later convicted for the killing of at least 28 African American children, and his trial was attended by his heartbroken parents.

Norma Stano - Gerald Stano

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Gerald Stano had a pretty horrendous childhood. His biological mother seriously neglected him, and county doctors were convinced he would never be adopted. However, Norma, a nurse, took him in, and she did her best to give him a loving home. But Gerald was already showing worrying behavior; he stole money and lied compulsively. He later confessed to the murders of 41 women.

Goldie McKinney and Ray Harvey - Donald Harvey

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Donald Harvey, known as the ‘Angel of Death’ worked as a nurse’s aide, and claims to have killed 87 people who were mainly cardiac patients. His parents were struggling tobacco farmers, and was sexually abused by his uncle and his neighbor. He attempted suicide twice and had three nervous breakdowns before he started killing people.

Nellie and Bob Hindley - Myra Hindley

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Dubbed ‘the most hated woman in Britain’, Myra Hindley abducted and killed five children with her husband Ian Brady between 1963 and 1965. Her dad worked long hours, so she didn’t see him much, and her mother decided to send her to live with her grandmother after she gave birth to Myra’s younger sister.

Margaret Stewart - Ian Brady

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Myra Hindley’s partner Ian never knew his father, so his mom tried to raise him by herself in a slum in Scotland. He was a troubled child, and was involved in petty crime from a young age. His mom ended up putting him up for adoption, and his adoptive parents struggled to keep his behavior in check. He became fascinated with Nazis and war crimes shortly before he met Myra.

Jesse James and Lula Novada - Charles Ray Hatcher

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Serial killer Charles Ray Hatcher was born to parents Jesse James and Lula Novada. His dad was a bootlegger, ex-convict and abusive alcoholic, which had an effect on Charles from an early age. Charles was also bullied at school, so he decided to start fighting back. He murdered 16 people between 1969 and 1982 – mainly young boys.