The age-old question that has remained a mystery
Starting in 2000, Travis slew 17 Missouri women over two years. When a local news station reported on his victims, he sent a letter and map detailing directions to the burial site.
Known for meeting his victims in a public space and leading them to seclusion, Bundy is an incredibly infamous serial killer and rapist. Though he was captured, he repeatedly escaped, and went on to commit more murders. In 1989, Bundy was sentenced to execution by electric chair.
The New York City killer, who carried out a series of shootings in the summer of 1976, came to be known as "Son of Sam" or the ".44 Caliber Killer."
By luring victims into his home on the promise of work, Gacy murdered 33 men and boys by strangulation. In Chicago, IL he kept the remains of his victims in his home before eventually disposing of them in the Des Plaines River. Gacy was executed by lethal injection in 1994.
Finding victims in lonely hearts newspaper ads, Fernandez and Beck allegedly killed over 20 people between 1947 and 1949, though were only charged for one case.
Between 1971 and 1983, Hansen was responsible for horrifically killing at least 17 women in Alaska. Pictured here is John Cusack playing Robert Hansen in the 2013 movie 'The Frozen Ground.'
Arrested in Washington State, Ridgeway confessed to killing at least 70 women throughout the '80s and '90s. He came to be known as “The Green River Killer,” for dumping the remains of his victims in the Green River.
Shore became known as the "Tourniquet Killer" and was the lead suspect in a series of killings that took place in a field in Texas, about a mile from Interstate Highway 45.
These cousins became known as the "Hillside Stranglers" for their acts of extreme terror in 1977-88. They strangled their young female victims in the hills above Los Angeles.
The pair tortured and murdered victims in Calaveras County, CA. In 1985, Lake (pictured) took his own life following his arrest. Ng was initially caught while shoplifting but attempted to escape to Canada. After the lengthy process of extradition, he was finally convicted in 1999.
An American killer terrorized Southern Scotland between 1956 and 1958. Authorities were finally able to prove his guilt when Manuel was caught using his victims' banknotes in local pubs. He killed 18 people and was eventually hanged in Barlinnie Prison, one of the last hangings before capital punishment was outlawed in Scotland.
Also known as "The Freeway Killer," Bonin slew at least 21 young men along the highways of Southern California.
Claiming that the voices in his head were making him kill to prevent an earthquake, Mullin killed 13 people throughout California, including an old high school friend.
The Santa Cruz necrophile and murderer came to be known as the "Co-ed Killer." He viciously slew and defiled six female hitchhikers in the area, as well as his own mother and grandparents. His twisted story was recently depicted in the Netflix series, 'Mindhunter.'
Kearney became known as "The Trash Bag Killer." He wreaked havoc from 1965 until he was caught in 1977.
These three were responsible for a series of killings in Houston, TX from 1970 to 1973 that became known as the "Houston Mass Murders." The truth of the group's 28 horrific killings only came to light when Henley fatally shot and killed Corll.
From 1885-1901 this nurse murdered over 30 victims. After capture, Toppan claimed it was her greatest wish to be the most prolific killer in history. While not quite reaching her goal, she did poison her patients, her landlords, and even her foster sister.
Working on a fruit ranch in Sutter County, CA, this vicious serial killer murdered 25 of his migrant co-workers.
Rifkin likely killed 17 drug addicts and escorts between 1989 and 1993 in New Jersey.
This killer poisoned her elderly victims at the nursing home where she worked, allegedly for financial gain.
The pair became known as the "Tool Box Killers" and would lure women into their van to torture and horrifically kill them. They were charged in 1981. Bittaker (pictured) was sentenced to death but died while on death row. Norris escaped execution for his testimony against Bittaker and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
This Kansas serial killer came to be known as "BTK," short for bind, torture, and kill. He would send taunting letters to the local police before stalking and murdering his victims. After seemingly disappearing in 1988, Raider resurfaced and sent a floppy disk with his signature threats to police; it was then that authorities were able to arrest and charge him.
Even though he is still in prison, Williams is still trying to clear his name.
Regrettably, he is far from being the sole notorious criminal in history. Join us on a chilling journey as we unearth the disturbing stories of some of America's most infamous killers... if you dare to brave the darkness.
America's infamous killers who haunt history
Delving into the nation's dark fascination with murder mysteries and true crime
LIFESTYLE Murderers
The intrigue of murder mysteries and true crime narratives consistently captures the public's attention. Richard Ramirez, admitted Satan worshipper, became known as the "Night Stalker" for breaking into the homes of his victims. After severe torture and mutilation, Ramirez created pentagrams on the surrounding walls. He was caught after his year-long rampage in 1985.
Regrettably, he is far from being the sole notorious criminal in history. Join us on a chilling journey as we unearth the disturbing stories of some of America's most infamous killers... if you dare to brave the darkness.