American Killers

John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer and sex offender who murdered multiple victims in Illinois during the 1970s. He became widely known for maintaining a public image as a community figure while committing crimes in secret. Gacy’s case gained notoriety due to the scale of his offences and the contrast between his outward persona and his actions. He was later convicted and sentenced to death, becoming one of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history.

Henry Jonathan Valencia, often referred to as Jonathan Valencia, became known in true crime coverage after the murder of teenager Nosiah Santos during a public confrontation that prosecutors described as emotionally charged and deeply personal. Investigators alleged the killing stemmed from a secret relationship, escalating jealousy, and mounting tension between the two young men before the fatal shooting occurred. The case generated major online attention because portions of the confrontation and aftermath were captured on surveillance footage and witness recordings. Prosecutors argued Valencia intentionally targeted Nosiah Santos during the encounter before opening fire in front of witnesses. The combination of hidden relationship allegations, emotional conflict, and public violence turned the case into a heavily discussed modern youth homicide prosecution.

Joseph James DeAngelo, known as the "Golden State Killer," became one of the most infamous serial offenders in American history after committing a series of murders, rapes, and burglaries across California between 1974 and 1986. A former police officer, DeAngelo evaded identification for more than 40 years before investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to identify and arrest him in 2018. His case transformed modern criminal investigations and demonstrated the power of forensic DNA technology in solving long-unsolved crimes.

Keith Dozier became known in Georgia criminal cases after being convicted in the 2012 home invasion killing of Gale Spencer in Macon, Georgia. Prosecutors alleged Dozier was one of four offenders involved in the violent robbery that ended in Spencer’s death. The homicide received local media attention because of the coordinated nature of the crime and the multiple offenders prosecuted afterward. Dozier later received a life sentence plus an additional 20 years for his role in the case.

Kenneth Bianchi was one of the "Hillside Stranglers," responsible for a series of murders in California during the late 1970s. He committed the crimes alongside his cousin Angelo Buono. Bianchi was eventually arrested and convicted, receiving a life sentence. His attempts to feign multiple personality disorder during the investigation became a notable aspect of the case.

Kouri Richins became one of the most heavily discussed true crime defendants in the United States after prosecutors accused the Utah mother and real estate investor of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, with a fatal dose of fentanyl in 2022. The case exploded into national headlines after investigators revealed that Richins later published a children’s book about grief dedicated to helping children cope with the death of a parent, creating widespread public fascination and intense media scrutiny. Prosecutors alleged the killing was financially motivated and tied to marital conflict, property disputes, and life insurance concerns. The investigation quickly expanded beyond the poisoning allegations and into Richins’ business dealings, finances, deleted communications, and alleged attempts to obtain fentanyl before her husband’s death. The combination of an affluent family image, children’s grief book promotion, and accusations of secret financial pressure turned the case into a major modern true crime story followed closely across television, podcasts, social media, and online crime communities.

Lance Kirkpatrick became one of Australia's most widely reported convicted killers after being found guilty of the 2022 murder of Melbourne mother Samantha Murphy. Murphy's disappearance prompted an extensive search across regional Victoria before investigators built a circumstantial case that ultimately led to Kirkpatrick's conviction. The case attracted national attention because of the lengthy investigation, widespread community involvement, and the absence of the victim's recovered remains.

Larissa Schuster became widely known after being convicted in the murder of her husband, Tim Schuster, in a case that became infamous as The Acid Barrel Murder. Prosecutors alleged Schuster killed her husband during escalating marital and financial conflict before attempting to dispose of his body using industrial acid inside large storage barrels at the family property in California with the help of James Fagone.