30. The Unabomber - Theodore Kaczynski
Image Source: Reddit
Theodore Kaczynski wasn't your typical criminal. He was a brilliant mathematician who, for nearly two decades, waged a one-man war against modern technology. Through a series of meticulously crafted bombs sent via mail, he aimed to disrupt the ever-encroaching influence of technology on society.
29. The Night Stalker - Richard Ramirez
Image Source: Reddit
Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, plunged California into a state of fear during the 1980s. With a thirst for violence and a penchant for the macabre, he committed a string of horrific crimes, including rape, murder, and burglary. What set him apart was his chilling grin in court, which earned him the moniker "The Night Stalker."
28. The Boston Strangler - Albert DeSalvo
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Albert DeSalvo, known as the Boston Strangler, confessed to a series of heinous murders that terrorized the city in the 1960s. His crimes, primarily targeting women, sent shockwaves across the nation. The level of fear and paranoia that swept through Boston led to one of the most intense manhunts in history.
27. The Green River Killer - Gary Ridgway
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Gary Ridgway, a notorious serial killer, operated with a cunning ability to blend into society while harboring a dark secret. His reign of terror in the Pacific Northwest claimed the lives of at least 71 women. Ridgway's ability to elude capture for years was a testament to his cold, calculating nature.
26. The Gainesville Ripper - Danny Rolling
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In 1990, Danny Rolling embarked on a gruesome murder spree in Gainesville, Florida, that left five students dead and the entire community in shock. His confession revealed a deeply disturbed mind, driven by disturbing motives. Rolling's crimes sent shockwaves through the nation and highlighted the haunting reality that darkness can lurk beneath the surface even in peaceful college towns.
25. The BTK Killer - Dennis Rader
Image Source: Reddit
Dennis Rader, infamously known as the BTK Killer, terrorized Kansas for over three decades. What set him apart was his chilling taunting of the police and media with letters detailing his gruesome crimes. The acronym "BTK" stood for his modus operandi: Bind, Torture, Kill. Rader's reign of terror claimed the lives of ten people, leaving a community haunted by his sadistic acts.
24. The D.C. Snipers - John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo
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In 2002, John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo turned the Washington, D.C. area into a zone of terror. From their sniper's nest in a modified car, they randomly shot and killed ten people. Their calculated and seemingly random attacks left the nation on edge, wondering when and where the next deadly shot would come from.
23. The Freeway Killer - William Bonin
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William Bonin, known as the "Freeway Killer," cast a dark shadow over California in the late '70s. Targeting young men, he was convicted of a horrifying 14 murders. His sadistic methods and the sheer number of victims earned him a notorious place in the annals of serial killers, leaving a legacy of fear in his wake.
22. The Candy Man - Dean Corll
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Dean Corll's reign of terror in Houston, Texas, during the early '70s was marked by the torture and murder of at least 28 young boys. His heinous crimes sent shockwaves throughout the nation, revealing the depths of human depravity and leaving people scarred by the horrors they had witnessed.
21. The Son of Sam - David Berkowitz
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David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam, plunged New York City into a state of fear during the 1970s. Randomly shooting and killing six people, he added an eerie twist to his horrifying crimes by claiming to be under the influence of demonic possession. His reign of terror was marked by paranoia and a city on edge.
20. The Vampire of Sacramento - Richard Chase
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Richard Chase, infamously known as the "Vampire of Sacramento," terrorized California in the late 1970s. He earned his moniker due to his gruesome acts of drinking the blood of his victims. Chase's horrifying spree of murders, fueled by his delusional belief that he needed blood to survive, shocked the nation and left a lasting mark on the history of American serial killers.
19. The Hillside Stranglers - Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono
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Operating in the dark underbelly of Los Angeles in the late '70s, Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono kidnapped, raped, and killed ten young women. Their chilling crimes sent shockwaves through the city, revealing the terrifying depths of human depravity.
18. The Golden State Killer - Joseph James DeAngelo
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Joseph James DeAngelo's decades-long reign of terror in California during the '70s and '80s included a string of burglaries, rapes, and murders. His ability to evade capture for years (ofc, he was a police officer!) left a community living in fear. It was only the advancement of DNA evidence that finally led to his arrest, bringing an end to his disturbing spree.
17. The Co-ed Killer - Edmund Kemper
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Edmund Kemper, a towering figure with a dark intelligence, committed a series of brutal murders in California during the '70s. His victims included his grandparents and six young women. Kemper's chilling crimes showcased the disturbing duality of his character, leaving a legacy of fear and fascination.
16. The Zodiac Killer - Unidentified
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The Zodiac Killer remains one of the most enigmatic figures in criminal history. During the late '60s and early '70s, this unidentified serial killer sent cryptic ciphers and letters, taunting both law enforcement and the public. Despite countless investigations and amateur sleuths attempting to crack the code, the Zodiac Killer's true identity remains a mystery, leaving a chilling legacy of unsolved crimes.
15. The Atlanta Child Murders - Wayne Williams
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Wayne Williams' conviction for the murders of two adults cast a shadow over his suspected involvement in the deaths of over 20 children and young adults in Atlanta during the late '70s and early '80s. The case remains a haunting puzzle, with many questions surrounding Williams' guilt or innocence, and whether justice was fully served for the victims and their families.
14. The Milwaukee Cannibal - Jeffrey Dahmer
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Jeffrey Dahmer's reign of terror in Milwaukee during the '80s and early '90s was marked by a horrifying string of crimes. His gruesome acts, which involved the rape, murder, and dismemberment of 17 young men and boys, shocked the nation and many other countries.
13. The Chicago Rippers - Robin Gecht and John Wayne Gacy
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Chicago faced a double threat during the '70s and '80s from Robin Gecht and John Wayne Gacy. Gecht was involved in satanic rituals while Gacy, known as the "Killer Clown," lured young boys to their deaths. These two infamous killers cast a dark shadow over the city, leaving scars on the collective memory of Chicago.
12. The Butcher of Plainfield - Ed Gein
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Ed Gein's gruesome crimes in Plainfield, Wisconsin, served as the eerie inspiration for fictional serial killers like Norman Bates and Leatherface. He robbed graves and murdered two women, creating a macabre legacy of horror that continues to captivate the public's fascination with the darkest corners of the human psyche.
11. The Iceman - Richard Kuklinski
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Richard Kuklinski, the "Iceman," was a contract killer whose chilling demeanor matched his prolific body count. Claiming to have murdered over 100 people, Kuklinski's cold and calculating nature earned him a reputation as one of the most ruthless hitmen in criminal history.
10. The Oklahoma City Bomber - Timothy McVeigh
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Timothy McVeigh orchestrated one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history when he bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in 1995. The explosion resulted in the tragic deaths of 168 people and countless injuries, leaving a nation in shock and mourning.
9. The Unholy Messiah - Charles Manson
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Charles Manson and his "Family" instigated a reign of terror in the late '60s, culminating in the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. Manson's charismatic but deranged leadership, driven by a twisted belief in an apocalyptic race war, shocked the world and left an indelible mark on the dark side of American counterculture.
8. The Crime Boss - Al Capone
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Al Capone, the quintessential gangster of the Prohibition era, ruled Chicago with an iron fist as the leader of the notorious Chicago Outfit. His involvement in organized crime, including bootlegging and violence, solidified his reputation as a legendary crime boss and a symbol of the lawless Roaring Twenties.
7. The Lady Killer - Aileen Wuornos
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Aileen Wuornos, a rare female serial killer, struck fear into Florida during the late '80s. Her cold-blooded murders of seven men shocked the US. Wuornos claimed self-defense, sparking a contentious debate around her motives and mental state, leaving behind a trace that challenges conventional notions of crime and justice.
6. The Kingpin of Cocaine - Pablo Escobar
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Pablo Escobar's reign as the ruthless leader of the Medellín Cartel left an indelible mark on history. His vast cocaine empire flooded the United States with narcotics, fueling addiction and violence. His legacy serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of drug cartels.
5. The Crime Spree Couple - Bonnie and Clyde
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Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, infamous bank robbers during the Great Depression, captured the imagination of the entire world. Their daring crimes and violent confrontations with law enforcement turned them into legendary outlaws, romanticized in popular culture as symbols of rebellion.
4. The Outlaw - Jesse James
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Jesse James, a notorious outlaw of the 19th century, led a gang responsible for a spree of robberies and murders. His name became synonymous with the Wild West, immortalizing him as both a villain and a folk hero in American history. It is said that he committed these crimes due to the poor treatment him and his family faced during the civil war!
3. The Gangster Duo - John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson
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John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, ruthless bank robbers during the Great Depression, instilled fear across the nation. Their audacious heists, daring escapes, and violent clashes with law enforcement made them infamous figures of an era marked by desperation and crime.
2. The Charming Serial Killer - Ted Bundy
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Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in American history, was known for his charming and charismatic demeanor. This charm served as a sinister disguise as he lured young women to their deaths in the 1970s. Bundy's ability to blend into society and gain the trust of his victims highlighted the terrifying notion that evil could hide behind a friendly face.
1. The Father of American Crime - John Wilkes Booth
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John Wilkes Booth's assassination of President Abraham Lincoln in 1865 secured his place as one of the most infamous criminals in American history. His act forever altered the nation's course, leading to the pursuit of justice and the enduring legacy of a dark chapter in American history.