Victim Targets - Women

Dennis Rader, known as the BTK Killer (Bind, Torture, Kill), is an American serial killer who murdered ten victims in Kansas between 1974 and 1991. He targeted individuals in their homes, carrying out controlled and methodical attacks. Rader evaded capture for decades while maintaining a normal public life. His case gained notoriety due to his communication with media and law enforcement, and his eventual capture in 2005 following a forensic breakthrough.

Mark Douglas Hacking murdered his pregnant wife, Lori Hacking, in July 2004 after she uncovered years of deception about his education, employment and plans to attend medical school. After initially reporting Lori missing and participating in public searches, Hacking became the focus of the investigation as detectives uncovered evidence contradicting his account. He eventually admitted killing Lori, disposing of her body in a landfill and attempting to conceal the crime. In 2005, Hacking pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

Scott Lee Peterson murdered his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, on Christmas Eve 2002 before disposing of her body in San Francisco Bay. Laci's disappearance sparked a nationwide search and intense media coverage, particularly after investigators revealed Peterson had been conducting an extramarital affair while publicly appealing for her safe return. In April 2003, the bodies of Laci and her unborn son, Conner, were recovered along the bay shoreline. Peterson was convicted in 2004 of first-degree murder for Laci's death and second-degree murder for the death of Conner. Although originally sentenced to death, his sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, where he remains incarcerated.

Leslie Louise Van Houten was a member of Charles Manson's Family who participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca during the second night of the infamous Manson Family killings in August 1969. Under Manson's direction, she joined Charles "Tex" Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel in attacking the LaBiancas inside their Los Feliz home. Van Houten was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder after multiple trials and originally sentenced to death before California's death penalty was invalidated. She spent more than five decades in prison before being released on parole in 2023 after numerous successful parole recommendations and legal challenges.

Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel was one of Charles Manson's most devoted followers and participated directly in the Tate-LaBianca murders that left seven people dead over two nights in August 1969. At the Tate residence, she chased and repeatedly stabbed Abigail Folger, and the following night participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, later using their blood to write messages at the crime scene. Krenwinkel was convicted in 1971 of seven counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to death, which was reduced to life imprisonment after California temporarily abolished capital punishment. She has spent more than five decades in custody, becoming California's longest-serving female prisoner. Although parole boards have repeatedly found her suitable for release in recent years, Governor Gavin Newsom most recently reversed a parole grant in October 2025, finding that she continued to pose an unreasonable danger to society.

Susan Denise Atkins was one of Charles Manson's earliest and most devoted followers and participated directly in the Tate-LaBianca murders that left seven people dead over two nights in August 1969. At the Tate residence, Atkins helped restrain the victims, fatally stabbed actress Sharon Tate and wrote the word "Pig" on the front door using Tate's blood. She also participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca the following night. Convicted in 1971 of seven counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Atkins was initially sentenced to death before her punishment was reduced to life imprisonment after California temporarily abolished capital punishment. She remained incarcerated until her death from brain cancer in 2009.

Charles "Tex" Watson was one of Charles Manson's most prominent followers and the principal attacker during the Tate-LaBianca murders that left seven people dead over two nights in August 1969. Acting under Manson's direction, Watson led Patricia Krenwinkel, Susan Atkins and Linda Kasabian to the Tate residence, where five people were murdered, before participating with Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten in the killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca the following night. Watson fled to Texas but was extradited to California and tried separately from Manson and the other defendants. He was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in 1971 and sentenced to death, later reduced to life imprisonment after California invalidated its death penalty. He has repeatedly been denied parole and remains incarcerated.

Charles Manson was an American cult leader and criminal who orchestrated a series of murders in California in 1969 through members of his group, known as the Manson Family. Although he did not personally carry out the killings, he directed and influenced his followers to commit them. Manson became one of the most infamous figures in criminal history due to his ability to manipulate others into violence. His case remains a defining example of psychological control, group influence, and orchestrated multiple homicide.