Determining the “top” serial killers can be subjective, as it depends on criteria such as the number of victims, the notoriety of the cases, or the impact on society. Here is a list of some of the most notorious serial killers based on their infamy, the number of victims, and the historical impact of their crimes:
1. Ted Bundy (United States)
- Active: 1974-1978
- Victims: 30+ confirmed
- Known for his charm and intelligence, Bundy used his charisma to lure women before brutally murdering them.
2. John Wayne Gacy (United States)
- Active: 1972-1978
- Victims: 33 confirmed
- Gacy, known as the “Killer Clown” because he performed at children’s parties as “Pogo the Clown,” sexually assaulted and murdered young boys and men.
3. Jeffrey Dahmer (United States)
- Active: 1978-1991
- Victims: 17 confirmed
- Dahmer, known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” engaged in acts of necrophilia and cannibalism.
4. Andrei Chikatilo (Soviet Union)
- Active: 1978-1990
- Victims: 52 confirmed
- Known as the “Butcher of Rostov,” Chikatilo preyed on women and children, often mutilating his victims.
5. Aileen Wuornos (United States)
- Active: 1989-1990
- Victims: 7 confirmed
- A rare female serial killer, Wuornos was a prostitute who killed men she claimed had assaulted her.
6. Pedro Alonso López (Colombia/Ecuador/Peru)
- Active: 1969-1980
- Victims: 110 confirmed, possibly over 300
- Known as the “Monster of the Andes,” López targeted young girls and is one of the most prolific serial killers in terms of body count.
7. Gary Ridgway (United States)
- Active: 1982-2000
- Victims: 49 confirmed, possibly over 90
- The “Green River Killer” targeted sex workers and runaways in Washington State.
8. Jack the Ripper (United Kingdom)
- Active: 1888
- Victims: 5 confirmed, possibly more
- An unidentified serial killer who terrorized the Whitechapel district of London, known for the gruesome nature of the murders and the mystery surrounding his identity.
9. David Berkowitz (United States)
- Active: 1976-1977
- Victims: 6 confirmed
- Known as the “Son of Sam,” Berkowitz’s crimes were accompanied by letters taunting the police and public.
10. Ed Gein (United States)
- Active: 1954-1957 (though only convicted of two murders)
- Victims: 2 confirmed, but his grave-robbing and the creation of trophies from human remains inspired many fictional serial killers in popular culture, including Norman Bates from “Psycho” and Buffalo Bill from “The Silence of the Lambs.”
These individuals are infamous not just for their crimes but also for the impact they had on public consciousness, law enforcement practices, and the portrayal of serial killers in media and popular culture.
