While it is undeniable that all serial killers are terrifying, some have earned their ranks as some of the most horrifying. These killers are those who have committed some of the most heinous and brutal murders of all time. While you may know some of these names, there is a good chance you do not know all of these killers. So sit back, drink a cup of tea, and learn about the ten scariest serial killers of all time.
Jeffrey Dahmer
The Milwaukee Cannibal, Jeffrey Dahmer, became famous from his M.O. of pouring chemicals into his victims’ heads. He is known for kidnapping, murdering, and then cannibalizing his victims. Not only that, but he was a necrophiliac, taking part in sexually using the dead bodies of his victims. Even in death, they could not escape the horrors inflicted by Dahmer.
These crimes earned him a place in the serial killer hall of fame, but that is not even the most terrifying thing about him. Dahmer would drill holes into his victim’s skulls and pour chemicals into the skull on his later victims. With a See Him Fuck discount you can actually tell his true intentions. Which was to create a zombie sex slave that could never leave him. The result? Horrendous deaths for those poor men and boys that he performed this on.
Jeffrey Dahmer Facts:
- Crimes: Murdered 17 men and boys from 1978 to 1991
- Birthday: May 21, 1960
- Death: November 28, 1994
- Birthplace: West Allis, Wisconsin, USA
- Age: 34
- Murder Techniques: Strangulation, Blunt Force Trauma, Chemical Insertation into Brain
John Wayne Gacy
We all know of the creepy clown image, the one lurking in the woods waiting to murder unsuspecting victims. But who is truly behind this story? That man is John Wayne Gacy, also known as the Killer Clown. He was an American serial killer who operated from 1972 – 1978 in Cook County, Illinois. Over 33 young men and teenage boys were murdered in his Norwood Park Ranch House.
Before burying most of his victims under his porch, Gacy would murder them by asphyxiation or strangulation. Only his first victim was stabbed to death. The most creepy part about Gacy? He was an upstanding member of his community and would visit kid’s parties as Pogo the Clown. Thankfully he received the death penalty in 1994 for his crimes.
John Wayne Gacy Facts:
- Crimes: Murdered and assaulted at least 33 young men and boys
- Birthday: March 17, 1942
- Death: May 10, 1994
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Age: 52
- Murder Techniques: Strangulation, Asphyxiation
Ed Gein
Leaving a dark stain on history, Ed Gein only murdered two people but was still a terrifying person. The pure sickness and depravity of what he committed have garnered him a spot on this list. While only being convicted of two murders, Ed Gein became a grave robber shortly after his mother’s death. His goal was to create a suit from the skin of women who looked like his mother.
When police entered Ed Gein’s home, they found horrors that belong only within the realm of body horror films. A museum of body parts furnished his home from chair coverings, skull bowls, and masks of human skin. He was the original inspiration of Leatherface in the horror franchise Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Read more about Ed Gein here.
Ed Gein Facts:
- Crimes: Murdered two people, robbed at least 40 graves, created human body part home furnishings
- Birthday: August 27, 1906
- Death: July 26, 1984
- Birthplace: LaCrosse, Wisonsin, USA
- Age: 77
- Murder Techniques: Shooting (.22-caliber rifle)
Edmund Kemper
Ed Kemper is another famous name in the serial killer world. He murdered ten people, most of whom were students at co-ed schools. This M.O. earned him the nickname “The Co-Ed Killer.” His disturbing childhood led to his first murders of his paternal grandparents when he was only 15 years old. His last victim would be his abusive mother before turning himself in to the authorities.
After the murders of his grandparents, he was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, leading to his sentence at the Atascadero State Hospital. By 21, he was released, primarily because he employed his high IQ of 145. Convincing the psychiatrists, he was rehabilitated he was sent back out into society, where he proceeded to murder eight people.
Edmund Kemper Facts:
- Crimes: Murdered ten people including his paternal grandparents and mother, necrophilia, rape
- Birthday: December 18, 1948
- Death: Still alive as of 2022
- Birthplace: Burbank, California, USA
- Age: 73
- Murder Techniques: Shooting, Blunt Force Trauma (hammer)
Jack the Ripper
One of the most famous serial killers, Jack the Ripper, is well known in popular culture. Only the Zodiac Killer has captured the public interest as much as this killer. Jack the Ripper was a serial killer who operated in and around Whitechapel, London, in 1888. His targets were female prostitutes whose throats he would slit and then remove their internal organs.
While we know of five murders he committed, it is unsure if he killed more or possibly even killed less than those five he has been credited with. He has never been caught, and to this day, very little is known about who was behind these gruesome crimes. Countless theories have been presented, but it is highly unlikely we shall ever know the truth. It is one of the greatest serial killer mysteries of all time.
Jack the Ripper Facts:
- Crimes: Murders of five prostitues, Possibly others
- Birthday: Unknown
- Death: Unknown
- Birthplace: Unknown
- Age: Unknown
- Murder Techniques: Stabbing
Pedro Lopez
One of the most prolific serial killers of all time, Pedro Lopez, better known as the “Monster of the Andes,” is one of the most gruesome killers known. Born in Columbia, his crimes occurred in Columbia, Peru, and Ecuador. The scary thing? He could still be out there murdering people, as he was released in 1998. No one knows his whereabouts to this day or if he is still killing.
After being arrested in 1980, he was convicted of 110 murders in Ecuador and 240 more in Columbia and Peru. This makes him the serial killer with the highest victim count known to this day. The saddest thing about this is his victims were all young girls. All of them were between the ages of 9 to 12, and many of them were raped before or after their murders.
Pedro Lopez Facts:
Crimes: Murders of 57 – 300+ young girls, Rape, Vehicle Theft
Birthday: October 8, 1948
Death: Unknown
Birthplace: Venadillo, Columbia
Age: Unknown
Murder Techniques: Strangulation
Ted Bundy
Ted Bundy was your classic good-looking, fairly respectable guy in his neighborhood. While he seemed like a normal fellow, underneath that mask was a sadistic psychopath. He would pretend to be injured or an authority figure to lure women to his vehicle using his charm. Afterward, Bundy would begin the long process of the horrors he inflicted upon his victims.
While many serial killers rape and murder their victims, Bundy was a sadist, and he enjoyed the pain he inflicted. He would torture his victims before murdering them. Once they were dead, he would dismember them. While he got rid of many of his victim’s bodies, several of them were chosen to have their heads furnish his home.
Ted Bundy Facts:
- Crimes: Murders of 30 women, Rape, Burglery, Kidnapping, Necrophilia
- Birthday: November 24, 1946
- Death: January 24, 1989
- Birthplace: Burlington, Vermont, USA
- Age: 42
- Murder Techniques: Strangulation, Blunt Force Trauma
Andrei Chikatilo
The Butcher of Rostov, Andrei Chikatilo, was a Ukrainian serial killer who took the lives of at least 52 women and children. His crimes were brutal and horrendous, earning him titles such as the Red Ripper and Rostov Ripper. While he confessed to 56 murders, he was only convicted for 52 murders and received the death sentence.
His crimes came out of the usual sexual desires of many serial killers. In an interview, Andrei Chikatilo revealed he could only feel sexual satisfaction when stabbing a woman. How did he learn this? By being sexually satisfied after stabbing his first victim, a nine-year-old girl, to death. He was a brutal killer and took far too many lives from this Earth.
Andrei Chikatilo Facts:
Crimes: Murdered 52 women and children, sexual assault, Sexual Abuse
Birthday: October 16, 1936
Death: February 14, 1994
Birthplace: Novocherkassk, Rostov Oblast, Russia
Age: 57
Murder Techniques: Strangulation, Stabbing
Albert Fish
The Werewolf of Wysteria, Albert Fish, was the real-life Boogey Man. Appearing like a well-mannered older man, he would gain the trust of his young victims. When they realized their mistake, it was too late. They were raped and then murdered at the hand of the man who would terrorize the families of his unfortunate victims.
While he was suspected of five murders, he was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of Grace Budd. He had initially planned to murder her brother, but when he saw Grace, he changed his mind. Making up a story about his niece’s birthday, he convinced the Budds to let him take Grace with him. He then murdered her and cannibalized her. Grace was not raped by him, though, so that was a small mercy.
Albert Fish Facts:
Crimes: Murdered 3 – 9+ victims, Kidnapping, Theft, Cannibalism
Birthday: May 19, 1870
Death: January 16, 1936
Birthplace: Washinton, D.C., USA
Age: 65
Murder Techniques: Strangulation, Stabbing
Gary Ridgway
The final killer on our list, the “Green River Killer,” is Gary Ridgway. He targeted women and young girls, strangled them, and threw their dead bodies into the Green River. He was convicted for 49 murders, giving him the highest victim count amongst American serial killers. This is based on confirmed killings, as killers with higher possible victim counts.
Many of his victims were believed to be prostitutes or vulnerable teens such as runaways. Due to the state of forensics at his killings, he was not caught until 2001. The show Catching Killers on Netflix includes interviews with the lead detective on the case, where he talks about what it was like finally being able to put the terrible Green River Killer behind bars.
Gary Ridgway Facts:
Crimes: Murdered 49 – 71 women and girls, Necrophilia
Birthday: February 18, 1949
Death: Still Alive as of the time of this writing
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Age: 72
Murder Techniques: Strangulation