A List You Most Definitely Don’t Want to Be On.
What fuels our fascination with serial killers? Is it morbid curiosity or a deeper desire to comprehend the nature of evil? Regardless of the motivation, America has an undeniable obsession with serial killers. Despite accounting for less than 1% of all murders in the United States, serial killings captivate the public imagination, inspiring countless podcasts, TV shows, and documentaries.
This intense interest is partly due to the fact that the U.S. leads the world in serial killings and is home to some of the most infamous serial killers in history. While every state has had at least one serial killer, the frequency varies widely. Some states are notorious for producing a high number of serial killers, while others have seen fewer.
Curious about where your state falls on the list? Discover which eight states have the highest number of serial killers below.
New York
1. New York
Leading the list is New York, with 18 serial killers and a grim total of 677 victims as of 2023.
The most infamous of New York’s serial killers is David Richard Berkowitz, better known as “The Son of Sam.” Between 1976 and 1977, Berkowitz committed six murders and injured 11 people. He was dubbed “Son of Sam” after sending a letter to the police in which he used the name, inspired by a delusional belief that his neighbor’s dog was commanding him to kill. Berkowitz was sentenced to life in prison on May 18, 1978.
Other notorious serial killers from New York include Richard Angelo, Paul Bateson, and Joseph G. Christopher, also known as “The Midtown Slasher.”
California
2. California
California ranks second for the number of serial killers but holds the top spot by a wide margin for the number of victims. With 15 serial killers responsible for over 1,770 deaths, California’s high victim count is largely due to some of the most notorious serial killers in history.
One of the most infamous is the Zodiac Killer, whose crimes are often cited as the most famous unsolved case in American history. Active between 1968 and 1969, the Zodiac Killer terrorized Southern California, claiming in letters to police that he had killed 37 people. Of these, seven victims have been confirmed: five deceased and two survivors. The case remains unresolved to this day.
Other notorious serial killers from California include Kenneth Alesso Bianchi, known as “The Hillside Strangler,” and Ricardo Ramirez, famously dubbed “The Night Stalker.”
Texas
3. Texas
Texas ranks third for the number of serial killers, with eight individuals responsible for 948 victims, making it second only to California in terms of victim count—though still significantly behind with 829 fewer victims.
Among Texas’s most notorious serial killers is Genene Jones, also known as “The Angel of Death.” During the early 1980s, Jones, a pediatric nurse, was convicted of killing between 11 and 46 children. She administered lethal doses of medication, causing fatal paralysis or heart failure in her young patients, some as young as one month old. Jones is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole until she is 87.
Other infamous Texas serial killers include Ángel Maturino Reséndez, the “Railroad Killer”; Dean Corll, known as “The Candy Man”; and Kenneth McDuff, referred to as “The Broomstick Killer.”
Illinois
4. Illinois
Illinois ranks fourth for both the number of serial killers and their total victims, with seven serial killers responsible for 680 murders.
John Wayne Gacy, known as “The Killer Clown,” is one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. history. Gacy’s gruesome legacy includes at least 33 young men and boys, whose bodies he buried beneath his home in the Chicago suburbs. His chilling side job as a clown at children’s parties contributed to his sinister moniker. Gacy was executed by lethal injection on May 10, 1994.
Other notorious serial killers from Illinois include “The Chicago Rippers,” a satanic cult composed of Robin Gecht, Edward Spreitzer, and brothers Andrew and Thomas Korkoraleis. Another infamous name is William Heirens, dubbed “The Lipstick Killer” for the message he wrote on a victim’s wall with lipstick.
Ohio
5. Ohio
Ohio, with seven serial killers and 505 victims, ranks lower than Illinois due to its fewer total victims.
Ohio’s most infamous serial killer is Shawn Grate, who raped and murdered five young women between 2006 and 2016. His crimes came to light in September 2016 after a woman, held captive, managed to call 911 while whispering for help. Her call inadvertently woke Grate, setting off a desperate search to rescue her. When police arrived at Grate’s home, they discovered a scene of horror: trash piled to the ceiling and multiple decomposing bodies. Grate was arrested and is slated for execution in 2025.
Though Jeffrey Dahmer committed the majority of his murders in Wisconsin, it’s notable that he grew up in Ohio and committed his first murder there.
Indiana
6. Indiana
Indiana is home to six serial killers with a combined total of 349 victims, placing it sixth for the number of killers but twelfth for the number of victims.
One of Indiana’s most notorious serial killers is Herb Baumeister, a wealthy businessman who lived on an 18-acre estate with his family. In June 1996, the skeletal remains of 11 missing young men from the local gay community were discovered on his property. Before he could face charges, Baumeister took his own life. His wife has claimed ignorance of his crimes but has admitted that their child once found a skeleton in the backyard, which Baumeister had explained away as belonging to his deceased father, a doctor.
Other infamous serial killers from Indiana include Belle Gunness, Larry Eyler, and Darren Deon Vann.
Louisiana
7. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks seventh with six serial killers responsible for 344 victims.
Samuel Little, widely recognized as the most prolific serial killer in American history, stands out as Louisiana’s most notorious. Little confessed to 93 murders, 60 of which have been confirmed. He targeted mostly female drug addicts and sex workers, believing they would leave minimal evidence behind. Little died in prison at the age of 80, serving four life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Other notable serial killers from Louisiana include Henry Lee Lucas, the “Deadly Drifter”; Ronald Joseph Dominique, the “Bayou Killer”; and Danny Rolling, the “Gainesville Ripper.”
Pennsylvania
8. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania holds the eighth spot, with five serial killers responsible for 462 deaths, surpassing both Indiana and Louisiana in victim count.
The state’s most notorious serial killer is Harvey Miguel Robinson, known for being one of the youngest serial killers in U.S. history. At just 18, Robinson embarked on a violent spree, murdering three young women and seriously injuring two others. His arrest came after one of his survivors escaped and helped police set a trap. Robinson was apprehended after being shot by officers and taken to a hospital. He is currently on death row in Pennsylvania.
Other infamous serial killers from Pennsylvania include Gary Heidnik, known as the “House of Horrors” killer; Harrison Graham; and Mark Spotz.
src: the-line-up.com
