Fixed Term Killers

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.

Jonathan Schmitz is an American convicted murderer who killed Scott Amedure in Lake Orion, Michigan, in March 1995, three days after the two men appeared together on The Jenny Jones Show. Schmitz, then 24, had agreed to appear on the program for a secret-admirer segment. During the taping, Amedure revealed that he had a same-sex crush on Schmitz. Schmitz later said he had expected the secret admirer to be a woman and felt humiliated by the revelation. The episode was never broadcast. Three days later, Schmitz went to Amedure's mobile home, confronted him about a suggestive note Amedure had left at Schmitz's residence, retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun from his vehicle and returned to the door. He shot Amedure twice in the chest, killing him. Schmitz immediately left and called 911, ultimately surrendering to police. He was initially convicted of second-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. That conviction was overturned on appeal because of an error involving jury selection. Schmitz was retried in 1999 and again convicted of second-degree murder. He was once again sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. He was released on parole in August 2017 after serving approximately 22 years. The case became one of the most widely discussed examples of the controversy surrounding so-called "ambush television" and the responsibilities of daytime talk-show producers. A separate wrongful-death lawsuit brought by Amedure's family initially resulted in a $25 million verdict against the show's producers, but that judgment was later overturned by the Michigan Court of Appeals.

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.

Lawrence “Larry” Dilione was involved in the killing of 26-year-old Joseph “Joey” Comunale after an after-party at James Rackover’s Apartment 4C on East 59th Street in Manhattan on November 13, 2016. Comunale was repeatedly stabbed during a violent confrontation involving Dilione and Rackover. Afterward, the men attempted to conceal the killing by moving, burning and burying Comunale’s body in a shallow grave in Oceanport, New Jersey. Dilione was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in January 2019 and was sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Lynlee Renick was convicted of second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the June 2017 shooting death of her husband, Benjamin “Ben” Renick, a prominent exotic snake breeder in New Florence, Missouri. Ben was found dead inside his reptile facility after being shot eight times. Prosecutors argued that Lynlee had attempted to poison him before arranging for her former boyfriend, Michael Humphrey, to help kill him. The prosecution ultimately argued that Lynlee was the person who pulled the trigger. She was sentenced to 16 years in prison in January 2022.

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.