A Look at Real, Fictional and Suspected Serial Killerz
| Top Rated Questionable Killerz | ||
| Rank / Name | Photo | Information |
| Dr. Death Jack Kevorkian 1928 - |
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Serial Killerz
Splatter Score: Justification: Is it mercy or evil. If the latter, he has become an icon to serial killers throughout history, using the guise of medicine to kill. Suspected Kills: 130+ Impact on Society: There is constant debate as to whether Kevorkian is an angel of mercy or an angel of death. His nickname, Dr. Death, reportedly came from his fascination of photographing the eyes of dying patients. He was doing this as early as 1956. In 1958 he proposed the euthanizing of prisoners so that their organs could be harvest for medical use. He also reportedly performed unusual experiments on cadavers. He first tested his suicide device in 1990, where he then proceeded to assist in the suicides of others. Kevorkian claims to have aided 130 or more people in their suicides. Whether his infatuation with death is purely medical or purely evil is a matter of opinion. He has never shown remorse for, nor tried to conceal his involvement in assisted killings even saying, “I did it right. I didn’t care what they did or didn’t do. When I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right.” At least in part, he seems like a likely inspiration for fictional killers like Hannibal Lecter and Dexter. However, Lecter first entertained audiences in novel form in 1981, 9 years before Dr. D's first public mercy execution. Current Status: Paroled June 2006 after serving 8 years of a 25 year maximum sentence. |
| Jack the Ripper |
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Serial Killerz
Splatter Score: Justification: The murders have inspired the investigatory practice of Ripperology which is the study of the Ripper Murders. The unsolved murders continue to be of interest throughout the world. Suspected Kills: 5+ Impact on Society: He murdered in 1888 and possibly beyond. His highly publicized murders terrorized the streets of London. As the murders continued, the media coverage grew, creating a frenzy never seen before. Who was the Ripper? The murders took place in London's Whitechapel District. The name came about from a letter that surfaced from someone claiming to be the Ripper. The letter is now regarded as a hoax. The Ripper's favorite victims were prostitutes, of whom he would slit the throats and carve up the abdomen. Another letter came wrapped in one of the victim's kidneys. Another series of murders in 1991, were suspected to have been committed by the same person, but a forensic connection was never made, but the Ripper had now entered the realm of immortality. Five murders are agreed upon by most experts; however, during this time, there were many murders of women in London's district of immortality, so the extent of the Ripper's crimes will likely never be known. These five victims are known as the Canonical Five. Arguments go back and forth. Some insist the Ripper only killed 3 victims, others say it was considerably more. But still, at some point the murders stopped and authorities believe that the Ripper either died or was convicted of some other crime. However, in 1991, another 4 murders occurred that some credited to the Ripper. Over 2,000 people were interviewed, 300 suspects were named, and 80 were detained, but still, there was never a conviction. Many suggest that the Ripper was an upper class citizen and well educated, possibly in medicine. 100s of letters from alleged Rippers were received. Three were particular famous. They were known as the From Hell Letter, the Saucy Jack Letter, and the Dear Boss Letter. The From Hell Letter contained the previously mentioned kidney, suspected to be from one of the victims, but the Dear Boss letter was mailed out prior to the first two killings being highly publicized. The handwriting is different in all the letters. His legacy is unprecedented and his crimes unsolved. Jack the Ripper escaped authorities getting away with what is one of the most mysterious, macabre and discussed criminal acts in written history. Current Status: Unsolved. More than 100 theories suggest possible suspects, but none have ever been solidified. |
Boston Strangler Albert DeSalvo 1931 - 1973 |
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Serial Killerz
Splatter Score: Justification: Yet another case that captivated the interest of America. The public was quick to find DeSalvo guilty, however, he has never been charged with the crimes. Suspected Kills: 13+ Impact on Society: In 1967, DeSalvo was convicted to life in prison for unrelated crimes of sexual assault and robbery. Between 1962 and 1964 at least 13 women ages 19-85 were strangled, (some) raped and murdered. They were assaulted and killed in different ways, making many experts believe that this was the work of multiple unrelated crimes. The public disagreed, convinced the Strangler crimes were being performed by one man. DeSalvo reportedly confessed to fellow prisoner, George Nassar, there were many inconsistencies in the alleged confession, and DeSalvo, serving life in prison was never brought to trial for the Strangler crimes. Geroge Nassar, however, remains a suspect as well. Nassar is currently serving life in prison for murder. Current Status: While in Walpole State Prison in Massachusetts, DeSalvo was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants. He was never charged, tried or convicted of the Strangler crimes. |
| Zodiac Killer |
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Serial Killerz
Splatter Score: Justification: Shrouded in mystery, the Zodiac remains unsolved and its prime suspect was recently found to be a non-suspect due to DNA evidence refuted in 2002. Not since Jack the Ripper has a case seen so many professional and amateur investigators taking part in attempts to solve this crame. Suspected Kills: 5+, claimed 37 in letters. Impact on Society: The Zodiac was another that brought terror to America, this time to San Francisco and nearby communities. At least 7 victims, 2 of who were injured are attributed to the Zodiac. Like Jack the Ripper, the Zodiac has taken on an element of folklore that has inspired unprecedented amateur and professional investigations, many interviews, many suspects and zero convictions. The known killings took place between 1968-1969. Suspected killings may have started as early as 1963 and as late as 1973. Murders in Riverside in the early '70s may be associated with the Zodiac as well. Additional, but less reliable letters surfaced until 1974. Arthur Leigh Allen was the prime suspect in the crimes, but he was never charged. Allen died in 1992 of liver failure. There were many other, and continue to be, other suspects. DNA tests in 2002 ruled out Allen as a suspect according to SFPD.The Zodiac sent coded letters containing cryptograms (ciphers) to the press, taunting authorities. Of the 4 letters, 3 remain unsolved.Copycat crimes have taken place in both New York and Japan. Current Status: The case remains open in both Napa and Riverside Counties. |
| Frankford Slasher |
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Serial Killerz
Splatter Score: Justification: Suspected of killing at least 9 women in the area of Frankford in Philadelphia, PA from 1985-1990. Suspected Kills: 8-9 Impact on Society: A man name Leonard Christopher was convicted of one of the crimes, but did not match descriptions of the Slasher from witnesses and there was no evidence to link him to the other crimes. Christopher was convicted for the death of what was believed to be the 8th victim in April 1990. Another murder occurred after his conviction, however, in September. Even in the crime Christopher was convicted for, there was little evidence, and his involvement remains in speculation by some. Most do not consider him a suspect for the crimes accredited to the Frankford Slasher. Current Status: Unsolved. |
| Mad Butcher of
Kingsbury Run or the Cleveland Torso Murderer |
 Sketch of one of the victims |
Serial Killerz
Splatter Score: Justification: in the1930s this madman terrorized Cleveland, Ohio, and the criminal managed to elude the famous Eliot Ness. Suspected Kills: 12-15, recent evidence suggests 40+. Impact on Society: The Mad Butcher avoided Eliot Ness, something Al Capone was unable to do. Ness' failure to catch the Butcher often gave way to the claim that Ness was the Butcher's final victim, forcing Ness into retirement. The Butcher always decapitated and dismembered his victims and experimented in a variety of other horrific methods including burning and castration. He killed both men and women, mostly drifters. There were two primary suspects. One died mysteriously after being taken into police custody. The other was Dr. Francis E. Sweeney. Sweeney admitted himself into a mental hospital in 1938 where he stayed until his death in 1964. The murders stopped shortly before his admittance. Current Status: Unsolved. |