While people have always held a fascination for the minds and methods of serial killers, a chilling fact remains evident—not all of them are caught. With improved police tactics, broader information storage, DNA evidence, and increased surveillance, it has also become more difficult for individuals to get away with serious crimes. However, David Wilson, professor emeritus of criminology and the founding director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University, U.K., spoke to Newsweek and highlighted that there is still a need for significant changes in order to capture them.
He noted that while there have been a wealth of improvements over the decades, serial killers still manage to escape justice through thorough planning, well-picked targets, and exploiting police failings. Jack Levin, a professor emeritus and co-director of the Brudnick Center on Violence and Conflict at Northeastern University, also shared insights on how these criminals operate. According to him, “[Serial killers] have exceptional street smarts, even if their intelligence is not above average. They are extraordinarily ordinary in appearance and everyday behavior—the last person you would suspect of being a killer,” he told Newsweek.
“The most successful serial killers plan their attacks, leaving very little to chance. They wait patiently for the optimum moment to strike.” Below are profiles of five notorious serial killers in U.S. history who were never caught and the tragic stories of their victims.
Table of Contents
The Zodiac Killer
The Zodiac Killer remains one of the most prolific incidents of serial killing in American history. He killed at least five known victims in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and quickly rose to notoriety due to his repeated taunts to the media and police. The killer earned the name through the coded letters he sent to regional newspapers, where he made further threats to kill.
While authorities were able to confirm five of his victims, as well as two individuals who survived an encounter with him, he claimed to have killed 37 people. His ability to remain undetected has led to extensive speculation and investigation over the decades.
The Alphabet Killer
The Alphabet Killer was the name given to the unknown person who killed three children—all girls—in the early 1970s in Rochester, New York. All three victims had names starting with the same letter, leading to the killer's moniker. Each victim, the youngest being ten years old, had been sexually assaulted and killed by strangulation.
This case highlights the terrifying reality of child abduction and the vulnerabilities that exist in society. Despite the investigation, the killer was never apprehended, leaving families and communities devastated.
The Black Doodler
The Black Doodler, also known as The Doodler, is believed to have killed as many as 16 men in San Francisco, California, in the 1970s. The nickname was given due to his habit of sketching his victims before engaging in sexual activity and then stabbing them. He was known to target individuals in gay clubs, bars, and restaurants.
This case remains unsolved, and the fear it instilled in the community highlights the pervasive issues of safety and trust, particularly in vulnerable populations. Victims were often found in similar positions, indicating a pattern that the police struggled to break.
The Babysitter Killer
The Babysitter Killer, also referred to as the Oakland County Child Killer (OCCK), was responsible for the deaths of four children in Oakland, Michigan, between 1976 and 1977. Authorities believe the victims were held captive before they were killed, which adds another layer of horror to this already tragic story.
The children were either strangled or shot, with two of the boys being sexually abused beforehand. Their bodies were discovered within a short period after their abduction, leaving communities in fear and mourning.
The Long Island Killer
The Long Island serial killer is an unidentified criminal believed to have murdered between 10 and 16 people over a 20-year period in New York. Most of his victims were sex workers who advertised their services on Craigslist, highlighting the dangers that marginalized individuals face.
Despite the investigation leading to numerous discoveries of remains, including the infamous 'Gilgo Four,' the killer has eluded authorities. This case raises important questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and societal attitudes toward vulnerable populations.
Serial killer expert David Wilson shared insights on the societal vulnerabilities that allow such criminals to operate undetected. He emphasized the need for communities to support one another and challenge prejudices that can lead to systemic failures in the justice system.
In discussing how society can prevent further tragedies, he noted that when individuals matter and care for each other, the prevalence of serial killers can diminish. This perspective encourages a proactive approach to community safety, urging people to look out for one another.
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