A serial killer is someone who goes on a killing spree, often targeting multiple people over a period of time.
In this post, we embark on a journey into the twisted minds of history's most notorious serial killers
From their haunting crimes, to the shocking details that surround them, get ready to explore and unravel the chilling story behind these notorious individuals.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, let's countdown the top 15 serial killers in history!
NUMBER 15 - PEDRO LOPEZ.
Pedro López, known as the "Monster of the Andes," is a Colombian serial killer who operated in South America during the 1970s.
He was born on October 8, 1948, in Santa Isabel, Colombia.
López targeted young girls primarily in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Estimates of his victim count vary widely, with some reports suggesting he may have murdered as many as 350 individuals, mostly girls between the ages of 8 and 12.
López's mode of operation was to approach vulnerable young girls, often those living on the streets, and after gaining their trust, He would lure them to secluded locations.
Once alone with his victims, he would sexually assault and murder them, often using his hands or makeshift weapons.
López's crimes went undetected for years as he moved between countries, taking advantage of the lack of coordinated law enforcement efforts.
In 1980, he was arrested in Ecuador after attempting to abduct another young girl.
Investigation by authorities linked him to multiple murders, leading to his confession.
In 1981, Pedro López was convicted of multiple counts of murder in Ecuador and sentenced to a maximum of 16 years in prison.
Due to a change in the country's legal system, he was released in 1998 after serving only 14 years.
His current whereabouts remain unknown.
NUMBER 14 - ALBERT FISH
Albert Fish, also known as "The Gray Man" and "The Werewolf of Wysteria," was a notorious American serial killer.
He was born on May 19, 1870, in Washington, D.C., and his reign of terror unfolded between 1921 - 1934.
Fish's victims were primarily children, and he usually lured them away from their families under the guise of offering them employment or assistance.
Once he was alone with his victims, he would subject them to unspeakable acts of torture, and sexual abuse them.
He also ate the bodies of some of his victims, claiming that consuming their flesh granted him a sense of power and control over them, even in death.
Fish's reign of terror eventually came to an end in 1934, when he was arrested for the abduction and murder of 10-year-old Grace Budd.
In 1935, Albert Fish was found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of Grace Budd, and he was sentenced to death.
While Albert Fish was officially prosecuted for one specific murder, authorities linked him to at least five child murders during his lifetime.
But Fish himself claimed his victims were over 100, and that he had one victim in each American state.
He was executed on January 16, 1936, in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York
NUMBER 13 - Yang Xinhai
Yang Xinhai, also known as the "Monster Killer," was a Chinese serial killer who operated in Henan Province, China, between 1999 and 2003.
He was born on July 29, 1968, in Zhengyang County, Henan Province.
Over the span of four years, Yang Xinhai murdered an estimated 67 to 76 people, including men, women, and children.
His modus operandi involved breaking into homes at night, and using various weapons, such as hammers, axes, and shovels, to bludgeon and stab his victims to death.
He also committed numerous acts of rape and robbery, in addition to his killings.
During his reign, Yang Xinhai targeted isolated homes in rural areas, where security measures were less stringent.
In 2003, his terror came to an end when he was apprehended by the police during a routine inspection.
He was found with stolen items in his possession, which led to his arrest.
During his trial, he confessed to the murders, and was convicted for his crimes.
In February 2004, Yang Xinhai was sentenced to death and executed shortly afterward.
NUMBER 12 - AILEEN WUORNOS.
Aileen Wuornos was an American serial killer born on February 29, 1956, in Rochester, Michigan.
Wuornos's crimes unfolded between 1989 and 1990.
She targeted and murdered seven men, whom she claimed had either raped or attempted to rape her while she worked as a sex worker.
Wuornos was known for her method of luring her victims to isolated locations before shooting them.
Her case gained significant media attention, partially due to the fact that she was a woman in a predominantly male-dominated realm of serial killers.
In 1992, Aileen Wuornos was apprehended and subsequently stood trial for her crimes.
Wuornos maintained her innocence in some of the cases, claiming that she had acted in self-defense.
Despite her claims of self-defense, she was convicted and sentenced to death.
On October 9, 2002, Aileen Wuornos was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison.
NUMBER 11 - Pedro Rodrigues Filho
Pedro Rodrigues Filho, also known as "Pedrinho Matador" or "Killer Petey," is a Brazilian serial killer.
He was born on June 17, 1954, in Santa Rita do SapucaÃ, Brazil.
Filho's first murder occurred when he was just 14 years old.
It was an act of revenge against the vice-mayor of his town, whom he believed was responsible for his father's dismissal, and subsequent death.
Over the years, Filho's killing spree escalated, targeting mainly criminals, drug dealers, and other individuals he believed to be deserving of punishment.
He claimed to have murdered over 70 people, including rival gang members and even family members.
His acts of violence were often brutal and involved the use of various weapons.
Filho believed that he was acting as a vigilante, and avenging the deaths of his father and other victims.
He saw himself as a "good" killer, only targeting those he deemed guilty.
In 2003, Pedro Rodrigues Filho was arrested and convicted for his crimes.
However, due to Brazilian law, which restricts the maximum prison sentence to 30 years, he was released in 2007 after serving a fraction of his sentence.
Upon his release, he expressed remorse for his actions and claimed to have changed his ways.
Sadly, He was assassinated on 10 March, 2023 by two unknown gunmen on a bike
NUMBER 10 - THE ZODIAC KILLER
The Zodiac Killer is an unidentified serial killer, who operated in Northern California, during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
The name "Zodiac" was adopted by the killer himself, in a series of taunting letters sent to the media and law enforcement agencies.
The Zodiac Killer is known to have murdered at least five individuals, although he claimed responsibility for more than 30 killings.
His targets were often young couples who were attacked in secluded areas.
He would approach the couples vehicles, shoot them at close range, and then flee the scene.
One of the most chilling aspects of the Zodiac Killer's crimes was his correspondence with the media and authorities.
He sent a series of cryptic letters containing codes, ciphers, and taunting messages, leading to widespread public attention, and fascination with the case.
Some of these codes remain unsolved to this day.
Despite an extensive investigation and numerous suspects, the true identity of the Zodiac Killer has never been conclusively determined.
It is one of the numerous unsolved mysteries in the history of American crime.
NUMBER 9 - SERHIY TKACH.
Serhiy Tkach is a Ukrainian serial killer and former police investigator.
He was born on June 28, 1952, in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, and his killing spree took place between 1984 and 2005.
During this period, he targeted young girls and women, predominantly between the ages of 8 and 18.
Tkach's victims were subjected to sexual assault, torture, and murder.
His modus operandi typically involved luring victims into secluded areas, where he would attack and kill them.
One chilling aspect of Tkach's crimes was his ability to evade suspicion for many years due to his position as a police investigator.
He used his knowledge of police procedures and investigation techniques to cover his tracks and mislead law enforcement.
Tkach's crimes came to light in 2005 when evidence linking him to the murders was discovered during a reinvestigation of cold cases.
He was arrested and subsequently confessed to the killings of at least 36 young girls and women.
However, he is believed to be responsible for a larger number of murders.
In 2008, Tkach was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes.
During his trial, he expressed remorse for his actions, but his motive for the killings remains unclear.
NUMBER 8 - JOHN WAYNE GACY.
John Wayne Gacy, also known as the "Killer Clown," was an American serial killer who operated during the 1970s.
He was born on March 17, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois.
John Wayne Gacy did perform as a clown at various events and parties.
He adopted the persona of "Pogo the Clown" and entertained children in hospitals, charity events, and parades.
Gacy used his clown alter ego to gain the trust of his victims, and lure them into his grasp.
This earned him the chilling nickname "Killer Clown" in the media.
Gacy targeted young boys and young men, predominantly between the ages of 14 and 21.
He lured his victims to his home under the guise of offering them employment, money, or sometimes by impersonating a police officer.
Once inside his house, Gacy would overpower and sexually assault them, before ultimately strangling them to death.
After his victims were murdered, Gacy would often bury their bodies beneath his house or discard them in a nearby river.
The exact number of Gacy's victims is uncertain, but he was convicted of killing 33 individuals, between 1972 and 1978.
Gacy's crimes came to light in 1978 when a young man named Robert Piest disappeared and investigators began to focus their attention on Gacy.
During the subsequent investigation, police uncovered the horrifying truth behind Gacy's actions, including the discovery of multiple bodies buried beneath his house.
In 1980, John Wayne Gacy was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and sexual assault.
He was sentenced to death and spent years appealing his conviction.
However, all appeals were ultimately denied, and he was executed by lethal injection on May 10, 1994.
NUMBER 7 - THIERRY PAULINE.
Thierry Paulin was indeed a notorious serial killer from France.
He was born on November 28, 1963, in Fort-de-France, Martinique, a French overseas territory.
Thierry Paulin operated in Paris during the 1980s.
He primarily targeted elderly women, gaining access to their homes by posing as a social worker or health care provider.
Once inside, he would rob and murder his victims, often using extreme violence.
His crimes went undetected for a significant period, as the victims were often elderly and lived alone, making it easier for Paulin to avoid suspicion.
However, in 1987, one of his intended victims managed to escape, providing crucial information that led to his arrest.
In 1989, Thierry Paulin was apprehended, and he confessed to the murders of 21 elderly women.
During his trial, he displayed a lack of remorse and exhibited a cold, calculating demeanor.
Paulin was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
He died in prison on April 16, 1989, at the age of 26, due to complications related to AIDS.
NUMBER 6 - JEFFREY DAHMER.
Jeffrey Dahmer, often referred to as the "Milwaukee Cannibal" or "Milwaukee Monster," was an American serial killer and sex offender.
He was born on May 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Dahmer's crimes, which unfolded between 1978 and 1991, involved the rape, murder, dismemberment, of 17 young men and boys.
Dahmer's modus operandi typically involved luring his victims to his apartment under the pretense of offering them money, alcohol, or companionship.
Once there, he would drug them, sexually assault them, and ultimately kill them.
For years, Dahmer managed to evade capture, until 1991 when one of his intended victims managed to escape and alerted the police.
The subsequent investigation led to the gruesome discoveries in Dahmer's apartment, including photographs and evidence of his horrific crimes.
In 1992, Jeffrey Dahmer was convicted of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to 16 life terms in prison.
However, his life behind bars was cut short when he was murdered by a fellow inmate in 1994.
NUMBER 5 - TED BUNDY
Ted Bundy was an American serial killer who gained notoriety during the 1970s.
He was born as Theodore Bundy on November 24, 1946, in Burlington, Vermont.
Bundy targeted and murdered young women across several states in America.
He would often approach his victims under the pretense of needing help or faking an injury, exploiting their trust, before abducting and assaulting them.
Bundy's modus operandi involved sexual assault, torture, and eventually, murder.
He appeared charming, intelligent, and charismatic, allowing him to deceive his victims and evade suspicion.
Bundy's reign of terror came to an end in 1978 when he was finally apprehended in Florida.
He was ultimately convicted for the murders of at least 30 young women, although the true number of his victims may never be known.
During his incarceration, Bundy became infamous for his multiple escapes from custody, which further added to his notoriety.
He was eventually recaptured and faced several trials.
Bundy was sentenced to death and was executed in the electric chair on January 24, 1989, at Florida State Prison.
NUMBER 4 - JACK THE RIPPER
Jack the Ripper is one of the most infamous and mysterious serial killers in history.
The identity of Jack the Ripper remains unknown, so we don't even know if it was a man or woman.
The Ripper was active in the Whitechapel district of London in the late 1800s, specifically in 1888.
Jack the Ripper is believed to be responsible for the brutal murders of at least five women, known as the "Canonical Five."
The victims were prostitutes who were viciously attacked, mutilated, and killed.
The Ripper's crimes were characterized by the extreme violence inflicted upon the victims, including throat slashing and abdominal mutilation.
The case gained significant media attention at the time, and the name "Jack the Ripper" was derived from a letter allegedly sent by the killer to the police.
However, the authenticity of the letter is still debated by experts.
Despite extensive investigations and numerous theories, the true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been conclusively proven.
Various suspects have been proposed over the years, including local individuals, doctors, and even members of the royal family.
However, no definitive evidence has emerged to definitively identify the killer.
NUMBER 3 - ANDREI CHIKATILO