Psychology of Serial Killers

[Pixel--Dude]

In the past I had a bit of an obsession with serial killers. A morbid curiosity which was born out of stumbling across the case of Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia. A truly horrifying case. From there I developed a fascination and curiosity about serial killers.

This obsession, whilst still dark and morbid in nature, was much deeper than simply glorifying what these serial killers had done simply for the shock value. On the contrary, I find these peoples sick, reprehensible predators who are a threat to society. Is there even any point trying to "reform" such people? Maybe the families of the victims should be able to decide their fate.

The interest I had was trying to understand the psychology of what made these people commit these unspeakable acts of evil! Were they born this way? Or was there a catalyst which drove these serial killers to develop a compulsion to kill.

I read something about some of the defining characteristics of different serial killers and read some form of child abuse is often a commonality but their compulsions were various and fell into a few different categories:

VISIONARY: visionary serial killers apparently suffer a break from reality and often perceive they are someone else or order by demons to carry out their killings. Usually these killings fall into the subgroups of "demon mandated" or "god mandated". The Yorkshire Ripper claimed God had ordered him via telepathy to kill these women. Another was David Berkowitz, who believed a demon was ordering him to carry out murders through his neighbours dog.

MISSION ORIENTED: Mission oriented killers justify their murders by believing that they are ridding the world of some societal ill such as homosexuals, homeless or prostitutes. It could be speculated that Jack the Ripper falls into this category.

HEDONISTIC: These killers are driven by some kind of perverse lust and usually there is a sexual element to their murders also some sadistic forms of mutilation as well. Jeffrey Dahmer falls into this category. He murdered boyfriends he brought back to his flat and mutilated them so he could create the perfect subservient sex robot. A kind of sick Frankenstein porn. The weirdo.

THRILL: These killers are in it for the thrill of the hunt. For these sick bastards it is the act of murder itself which motivates them. The Zodiac wrote to the police gloating about how killing gave them a Thrill. Also Robert Hanson falls into this category, he took his victims up to a secluded cabin and then let them loose so he could hunt them down.

PROFIT: Usually these killers are driven to kill by financial profit and their victims are usually family members or acquaintances. H.H. Holmes falls into this category. He was a serial killer who murdered people so he could profit from insurance. He built a weird murder hotel with moving walls and trapdoors with death rooms that wouldn't open from the inside and leaked a gas. H.H. Holmes was a piece of shit.

MEDIA: Killers motivated by a desire to be famous and have their horrific deeds immortalised through the media. Ted Bundy claimed one of his main influences was hardcore pornography which inspired him to kill.

I thought this post would interest you @WilliamSmith as we talked briefly about this in a different thread.

As a side topic does anyone have any interesting cold cases to share? I think the case of Elisa Lam is really strange!

[Pixel--Dude]

https://youtu.be/UFSkNY-Nb-k

A documentary about H.H. Holmes and his murder castle.

[Pixel--Dude]

https://youtu.be/yda8zcCCx1Q

A documentary about the death of Elisa Lam. This includes theories about a suicide, murder, some supernatural element and even a conspiracy theory of government involvement.

For some context into the supernatural aspect there is the strange behaviour in the elevator and this documentary about the evil history behind the Cecil Hotel, now known as Stay on Main.

https://youtu.be/p7vC4zrgPKQ

What do you guys think of all this evil surrounding this place? Coincidence? Or is evil attracted to that place?

[Pixel--Dude]

I overheard something ridiculous the other day. At least I thought it was ridiculous, anyway. Some women at work were talking about serial killers and why there hasn't been any in recent years. Anyway, this one girl reckons that thanks to abortion serial killers are not being given a chance to exist.

Personally, I thought it was because of forensic technology becoming more advanced. But maybe all the serial killers are being aborted and not given a chance to exist

What do you think?

Also, why are serial killers given cool nicknames like "The Night Stalker"? That sounds badass and I don't think these cowardly predators should be given any kind of cool nickname which makes them sound badass. How about "The Micro Penis Maniac"? Or something derogatory like that

I don't think these people should be reformed. Instead, they should be mercilessly put to death!