Motivations - Compulsion

Dennis Andrew Nilsen became one of the United Kingdom's most infamous serial killers after murdering at least 15 young men and boys in London between 1978 and 1983. Often referred to as the "Muswell Hill Murderer," Nilsen lured vulnerable victims to his home before strangling them and keeping their bodies for extended periods. His crimes were uncovered only after human remains blocked drains at his apartment building, leading to one of Britain's most shocking homicide investigations.

Rodney James Alcala became one of America's most infamous serial killers after murdering at least eight women and girls between 1971 and 1979, although investigators believe he may have killed well over 100 victims. Nicknamed the "Dating Game Killer" after appearing on the television show The Dating Game during his killing spree, Alcala used his charm and photography hobby to lure victims before murdering them. He was convicted in multiple states and died on California's death row in 2021.

Peter William Sutcliffe, known worldwide as the "Yorkshire Ripper," became one of the United Kingdom's most infamous serial killers after murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others between 1975 and 1980. Operating across Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, Sutcliffe evaded capture for more than five years despite one of the largest police investigations in British history. His crimes generated widespread fear, exposed major investigative failures, and permanently changed homicide investigations in the United Kingdom.

Wayne Couzens became one of Britain’s most notorious killers after abducting, raping and murdering Sarah Everard in London in 2021 while serving as a Metropolitan Police officer. The case horrified the United Kingdom because Couzens used his police credentials and authority to falsely arrest Everard before carrying out the murder. The killing triggered national outrage, widespread protests and intense scrutiny of policing culture within the United Kingdom. Couzens’ crimes exposed serious failures surrounding misconduct warnings and vetting processes inside British law enforcement, while the murder of Sarah Everard became one of the most significant criminal and social justice cases in modern British history.

Edward Theodore Gein became one of the most infamous killers in American history after murdering two women and exhuming numerous bodies from local cemeteries near Plainfield, Wisconsin, during the 1950s. Although convicted of only two murders, the disturbing discoveries inside his farmhouse—including items fashioned from human remains—made Gein a cultural phenomenon whose crimes inspired characters such as Norman Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill. His case remains one of the most extensively studied in criminal psychology.

Leonard Thomas Lake became one of the most infamous serial killers in American history after operating a secluded compound in Wilseyville, California, with accomplice Charles Ng during the early 1980s. Investigators believe the pair murdered at least 11 people, although the true number of victims may be significantly higher. Their crimes came to light in 1985 following Lake's arrest for shoplifting, leading police to uncover buried human remains, extensive video recordings, journals, and evidence documenting one of the most disturbing serial murder investigations in United States history.

Charles Chi-Tat Ng became one of the most infamous serial killers in American history after participating in a series of kidnappings and murders with Leonard Lake at a secluded compound in Wilseyville, California, during the early 1980s. Investigators linked the pair to at least 11 murders, although the true number of victims may never be known. Following one of the longest extradition battles and murder trials in California history, Ng was convicted of 11 murders and sentenced to death.

Pedro López became one of the deadliest serial killers in modern history after confessing to the murders of hundreds of young girls across Colombia, Ecuador and Peru during the 1970s and 1980s. Nicknamed “The Monster of the Andes,” López terrorized vulnerable communities throughout South America by targeting poor and isolated children, many of whom disappeared without immediate investigation. His crimes shocked the world not only because of the staggering number of alleged victims, but also because López appeared calm and cooperative while confessing to investigators. Despite claiming responsibility for hundreds of murders, he ultimately served a relatively short prison sentence before disappearing after his release, creating ongoing fear and controversy surrounding his whereabouts and possible later crimes.