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There's no doubt that true crime podcasts, TV series, and films have gained a great deal of popularity in recent years. The public's fascination with mysteries and crimes is only continuing to grow as millions of people tune in to shows that delve into the harrowing details of criminal investigations. And it's not just the cases that have caught people's attention, but the criminals, too.
Social media has certainly proliferated chatter about some of the supposed beauties behind bars, but this controversial phenomenon is nothing new and can work to the advantage of the criminal. Click through the gallery to find out more.
The public’s fascination with criminal behavior is partially motivated by a desire to understand how and why some people are able to commit their heinous crimes.
Curiosity about human behavior, questions of morality, and a Sherlock Holmes-esque engagement with the investigation process drive a sense of challenge.
Pictured is a recording of the 'Wrongful Conviction' podcast.
Engaging stories allow consumers to arrive at their own conclusions—is the alleged criminal really guilty of the crime? Do the facts add up? Do the flaws in the investigative process raise questions about the validity of a conviction
Pictured is Gloria Allred, a member of the legal team featured in 'Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods,' a BBC documentary highlighting sexual assault at the hands of the former owner of Harrods.
The genre really thrives on social platforms, where enthusiasts gather to exchange their own theories on what really happened, breaking down case details to discuss amongst themselves.
But that’s not the only reason some people become fascinated with certain criminal cases. Sometimes, it’s the criminal that catches people’s eye. In the following slides, we highlight the criminals that have been deemed attractive by the public, and as such, garnered a disproportionate amount of attention.
Luigi Mangione, the young man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in December 2024, has captured the hearts of many on the internet.
Mangione has received a great deal of ‘fan mail’ in the state correctional facility where he is held while awaiting trial. He has also received a great deal of financial support for his commissary account.
Mangione’s lawyer noted that they had to deny requests from strangers to foot his legal bills, while his supporters still managed to raise over US$100,000 for his defense fund.
The Menendez Brothers, Erik and Lyle Menendez, became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s, with countless books, TV series, and other media made during their respective trials and in the years following their convictions.
The Menendez Brothers confessed to brutally murdering their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, following what they claim were decades of abuse. They are both serving life sentences for their crimes.
Wealthy and attractive, hailing from Beverly Hills, their following was at least partially fueled by the fact that they, according to Forbes, “didn’t fit the usual mold of Hollywood-style killers.”
The appeal didn’t stop in the 1990s, a recent Netflix show ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,’ reignited interest in the brothers, inspiring a new generation of admirers, as well as in the case itself, in which public pressure to give greater weight to abuse claims has also garnered the support of celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
Then there’s Jeremy Meeks, who has been popularly referred to as the “world’s hottest felon.” The now-model was one of the first cases of a social media frenzy over a good-looking criminal.
Convicted over gang-related charges, the mug shot police uploaded of him (pictured) on their Facebook page went viral, prompting Meeks’ piercing green eyes to capture the hearts of many on the internet.
Hashtags, such as #feloncrushfriday, and tens of thousands of 'likes' in response to the police’s post launched a viral circulation of his image, prompting a campaign to raise money for his bail among his fans.
Meeks' appeal didn’t just garner the attention of the general public, but of modeling agencies, too. Days prior to his release from prison, Meeks signed a contract with White Cross Management. Since then, he has walked the runway for some of the world’s most famous fashion houses.
Wade Wilson, also referred to as the “Deadpool Killer,” confessed to murdering Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in 2019. Wilson already held an extensive criminal record before committing murder.
Despite his violent crimes against women, social media’s reaction to Wilson’s image garnered him a following. Letters and financial support from admirers began flooding Wilson’s account.
The allure of the “bad boy effect” in conjunction with obsessions over good looks certainly creates a public following. The attention they receive isn't just limited to social media, but can also affect the case itself.
The public, and therefore juries, can be influenced by the attractiveness of those involved in a crime. For juries, this influence is called the “attractive-defendant effect.”
Studies show that, inside and outside the judicial system, those who are deemed more attractive can garner greater empathy from others.
This means that people who are more attractive are more likely to receive “the benefit of the doubt,” prompting a greater likelihood of obtaining second chances.
Sometimes, their appeal is also a source of danger. Serial killers, such as Jeffrey Dahmer (pictured), Richard Ramirez, Paul John Knowles, and Ted Bundy are prime examples of this.
Sometimes referred to as “Casanova Killers,” these types of criminals know how to use their intelligence, charm, and looks to seduce their victims. The media also contributes to the allure of even the most sadistic individuals.
According to Professor Amanda Vicary, who teaches psychology at Illinois Wesleyan University, the appeal women have to some criminals, even the most violent, is tied to evolutionary psychology.
According to Vicary, “we are still attracted to the things that would have helped us survive back in our ancestral past, think hunter-gatherer environment.”
Based on this theory, women can be subconsciously attracted to killers because they represent a dominant role in a social structure. There’s also another element that Vicary points out: the appeal of fame.
The “bad boy dominant male image,” in conjunction with a certain level of fame that criminals are able to achieve, may make some women believe they can achieve fame by linking themselves to a criminal.
This appeal is not just limited to men. Women like Lori Vallow (the “Doomsday Mom”), Casey Anthony (pictured), and famed TV personality, Martha Stewart, have also benefited from favorable media attention.
Sources: (The New York Times) (Forbes) (The Independent) (Koffel Law) (Fox 4 Now)
See also: History's most celebrated crime fighters
Beauty behind bars: attractive criminals who caught the public's eye
Bringing a new meaning to "America's Most Wanted"
LIFESTYLE Crime
There's no doubt that true crime podcasts, TV series, and films have gained a great deal of popularity in recent years. The public's fascination with mysteries and crimes is only continuing to grow as millions of people tune in to shows that delve into the harrowing details of criminal investigations. And it's not just the cases that have caught people's attention, but the criminals, too.
Social media has certainly proliferated chatter about some of the supposed beauties behind bars, but this controversial phenomenon is nothing new and can work to the advantage of the criminal. Click through the gallery to find out more.