Serial Killers by Decade: A Chilling Walk Through History
Hello there, true crime enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the dark side of human history to explore serial killers by decade. Buckle up, because we're about to take a chilling walk through the 20th century, from the 1900s to the 1990s. Remember, this isn't a topic for the faint-hearted, but if you're ready, let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and serial killers by decade.
The 1900s: The Dawn of Serial Killers
Kickstarting our list of serial killers by decade is the 1900s, a time when the term "serial killer" was still decades away from being coined.
H. H. Holmes: The First Known American Serial Killer
Our journey begins with Herman Webster Mudgett, better known by his alias, H. H. Holmes. Active in the 1890s, Holmes is considered the first known American serial killer. He was a con artist, poisoner, and a master of disguise, preying on unsuspecting victims, primarily young women, in the late 19th century.
Holmes' crimes came to light during his trial in 1895, where he confessed to 27 murders. However, the actual number is believed to be much higher, with some estimates suggesting he may have killed up to 200 people. His crimes were so heinous that they inspired the term "Holmesian" to describe a particularly cunning and ruthless criminal.
The 1910s: The Rise of Jack the Ripper's Successor
Moving into the 1910s, we find a killer who some believe could have been the successor to the infamous Jack the Ripper.
Dr. Thomas Neill Cream: The Lambeth Poisoner
Dr. Thomas Neill Cream was a Scottish-born Canadian doctor who earned the moniker "The Lambeth Poisoner" for his crimes in London. Active in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Cream was a serial killer who preferred poisoning his victims, often using strychnine or other toxic substances.
Cream's modus operandi was to offer his services as a doctor to unsuspecting women, often pregnant or those seeking an abortion. He would then administer a fatal dose of poison, robbing his victims of their lives and their money. Cream's crimes earned him a place on our list of serial killers by decade, and he was eventually executed in 1892.
The 1920s: The Birth of the "Thrill Killer"
The 1920s brought us the first known "thrill killer," a term used to describe serial killers who murder for the thrill and excitement it brings them.
Carl Panzram: The Most Hated Man in America
Carl Panzram was an American serial killer and rapist who terrorized the United States in the 1920s. Panzram confessed to 22 murders, along with countless rapes and robberies, but the actual number of his victims is believed to be much higher.
Panzram's crimes were so brutal and depraved that he earned the title of the "most hated man in America." He was eventually executed in 1930, but not before leaving behind a chilling autobiography detailing his life of crime and his disdain for humanity.
The 1930s: The First Serial Killer to Be Caught on Camera
The 1930s brought us the first serial killer to be caught on camera, providing a rare glimpse into the mind of a monster.
Albert Fish: The Werewolf of Wysteria
Albert Fish was an American serial killer who terrorized the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. Fish was a cannibalistic pedophile who would often write letters to his victims' families, detailing the horrors he had inflicted upon their children.
Fish's crimes were so heinous that they earned him the nickname "The Werewolf of Wysteria." He was eventually caught in 1934, thanks in part to a letter he sent to the family of one of his victims. Fish's trial and subsequent execution were among the first to be captured on film, providing a chilling glimpse into the mind of a serial killer.
The 1940s: The First Female Serial Killer
In the 1940s, we find the first female serial killer to make our list of serial killers by decade.
Dorothea Puente: The Landlady of Death
Dorothea Puente was an American serial killer who operated a boarding house in Sacramento, California, in the 1980s. Puente was convicted of murdering seven of her tenants, although the actual number of her victims is believed to be much higher.
Puente would drug her victims and then suffocate them, often burying their bodies in her backyard. She would then collect their Social Security benefits and use the money to fund her lavish lifestyle. Puente's crimes earned her the nickname "The Landlady of Death," and she was eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The 1950s: The Birth of the "Mad Bomber"
The 1950s brought us one of the most unusual serial killers in history, the so-called "Mad Bomber."
George Metesky: The Mad Bomber of New York City
George Metesky was an American serial bomber who terrorized New York City in the 1940s and 1950s. Metesky, who suffered from mental illness, planted dozens of bombs throughout the city, often targeting public places like movie theaters and department stores.
Metesky's crimes earned him the nickname "The Mad Bomber," and he became one of the most wanted men in America. He was eventually caught in 1957, thanks in part to a letter he sent to a newspaper, claiming responsibility for the bombings. Metesky was eventually committed to a mental institution, where he died in 1994.
The 1960s: The First African American Serial Killer
In the 1960s, we find the first African American serial killer to make our list of serial killers by decade.
Samuel Little: The Most Prolific Serial Killer in American History
Samuel Little is an American serial killer who confessed to murdering 93 people between 1970 and 2005. Little, who is African American, is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in American history.
Little would often target marginalized women, such as sex workers and drug addicts, making it difficult for law enforcement to connect his crimes. He would strangle his victims and then dispose of their bodies in remote locations. Little was eventually caught in 2012 and confessed to his crimes in exchange for a reduced sentence. He died in prison in 2020.
The 1970s: The Dawn of the "Copycat Killer"
The 1970s brought us the first example of a "copycat killer," a serial killer who mimics the crimes of another killer.
David Berkowitz: The Son of Sam
David Berkowitz is an American serial killer who terrorized New York City in the 1970s. Berkowitz, who earned the nickname "The Son of Sam," was convicted of murdering six people and wounding seven others.
Berkowitz's crimes were so similar to those of another serial killer, Son of Sam himself, that some believed the two were working together. Berkowitz was eventually caught in 1977 and confessed to his crimes. He is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The 1980s: The Rise of the "BTK Killer"
The 1980s brought us one of the most notorious serial killers in American history, the so-called "BTK Killer."
Dennis Rader: The BTK Killer
Dennis Rader is an American serial killer who terrorized the Wichita, Kansas, area in the 1970s and 1980s. Rader, who earned the nickname "BTK" for his "bind, torture, kill" modus operandi, was convicted of murdering 10 people.
Rader's crimes went unsolved for decades, thanks in part to his meticulous planning and his ability to blend in with the community. He was eventually caught in 2005, thanks in part to a DNA sample he left behind at one of the crime scenes. Rader is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The 1990s: The Last Decade of the 20th Century
Our journey through the serial killers by decade concludes with the 1990s, the last decade of the 20th century.
Jeffrey Dahmer: The Milwaukee Cannibal
Jeffrey Dahmer is an American serial killer who terrorized the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, area in the 1980s and 1990s. Dahmer, who earned the nickname "The Milwaukee Cannibal," was convicted of murdering 17 people, primarily young men and boys.
Dahmer's crimes were so heinous that they shocked the nation and earned him a place on our list of serial killers by decade. He was eventually caught in 1991 and beaten to death in prison in 1994.
Conclusion: The Chilling Legacy of Serial Killers by Decade
And there you have it, folks! A chilling walk through the 20th century, exploring some of the most notorious serial killers by decade. From H. H. Holmes in the 1900s to Jeffrey Dahmer in the 1990s, these killers have left an indelible mark on history.
But remember, this isn't a topic to be taken lightly. These killers were monsters, and their crimes were horrific. We explore these stories not to glorify or sensationalize them, but to understand them, to learn from them, and to hopefully prevent such horrors from happening again.
So, until next time, stay safe, stay informed, and remember: the past is full of darkness, but it's also full of lessons.