Fixed Term Killers

Ian Rich became known in Ohio criminal history after carrying out a targeted drive-by shooting on Interstate 77 that killed David Perez and seriously wounded Jacqueline Perez on April 28, 2024. Prosecutors alleged Rich deliberately followed the couple from Newburgh Heights before pulling alongside their vehicle and firing multiple gunshots. He later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder, and firearms offences, receiving a prison sentence of 40 to 46½ years. The case attracted significant attention because of the seemingly unprovoked nature of the attack and subsequent claims regarding Rich's mental health and drug use.

Jared James Dicus murdered his 21-year-old wife, Anggy Diaz, at their home in Waller County, Texas, on January 11, 2023, less than three months after they were married. After killing Diaz with a kitchen knife, Dicus decapitated and partially dismembered her body before confessing to investigators. He later pleaded guilty to murder, was sentenced to 40 years in prison in July 2024, waived his right to appeal and any insanity defense, and remained incarcerated until his death in prison in January 2026 from a self-inflicted injury.

Jason Marshall is a British serial killer who murdered Peter Fasoli in London before fleeing to Italy, where he murdered Vincenzo Iale and attempted to murder another man within weeks. Marshall used deception, impersonating a police officer or intelligence agent to gain his victims' trust before robbing and killing them. Convicted in both Italy and the United Kingdom, he is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 39 years.

Joel David Rifkin became one of the most infamous serial killers in American history after murdering at least 17 women in New York between 1989 and 1993. Most of his victims were women involved in sex work or struggling with substance abuse, many of whom initially disappeared without attracting widespread attention. Rifkin's crimes ended following a routine traffic stop that led police to discover the body of his final victim in his vehicle. He was later convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to more than 200 years in prison.

Joran van der Sloot became internationally infamous after years of deception, manipulation and violent criminal behavior connected to multiple international investigations. Long before receiving a murder conviction in Peru, van der Sloot had already become one of the most recognizable criminal suspects in the world due to his constant media appearances, contradictory statements and apparent obsession with controlling public narratives surrounding himself. Van der Sloot developed a reputation as a pathological liar who repeatedly exploited media attention, manipulated investigators and inserted himself into global headlines for nearly two decades. His later murder conviction and extortion schemes cemented his image as a narcissistic and dangerous offender whose crimes extended far beyond a single homicide investigation.

Karla Leanne Homolka became one of Canada's most infamous female killers after participating in the murders of her younger sister, Tammy Homolka, Leslie Mahaffy, and Kristen French alongside her husband, Paul Bernardo, between 1990 and 1992. Initially portrayed as a battered spouse, Homolka secured a controversial plea agreement before investigators discovered videotapes documenting her active participation in the crimes. She served 12 years in prison and was released in 2005, making her one of the most controversial offenders in Canadian criminal history.

Kevin West is an American convicted murderer and former battalion chief with the Camas-Washougal Fire Department in Washington. In January 2026, he was convicted of first-degree murder for strangling his wife, Marcelle "Marcy" West, inside their Washougal home in January 2024. Prosecutors proved West staged the killing as a medical emergency by falsely reporting that his wife had suffered a seizure. He was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment in February 2026.

Mario Schembri is an Australian convicted killer who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Melbourne businessman Herman Rockefeller in January 2010. After a violent confrontation at Schembri's Hadfield home, Rockefeller died from injuries sustained during the assault. Schembri subsequently dismembered the victim's body with a chainsaw and burned the remains in an attempt to conceal the crime. He was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of seven years.