10 Serial Killers Who Gripped an Entire Population in Fear

10-Serial-Killers-Who-Terrified-an-Entire-Country-Entire-City

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down serial murderers who notoriously terrorized a particular metropolitan area, region, or country.

David Berkowitz

New York, USA
Infamously known as the "Son of Sam," Berkowitz terrorized New York City during the mid-1970s. Between 1976 and 1977, Berkowitz carried out a series of shootings, killing six people and wounding seven others. He left cryptic letters at his scenes, taunting the police and media, which heightened public fear and anxiety. Berkowitz claimed that a demonic entity, communicated through his neighbor's dog, commanded him to kill. The intense manhunt for the Son of Sam dominated headlines, capturing the city's collective attention. He was eventually apprehended in August 1977, bringing relief to the city. Berkowitz was sentenced to six consecutive life terms and remains incarcerated, his actions leaving a lasting scar on New York City.

Peter Sutcliffe

West Yorkshire, England
The "Yorkshire Ripper," was a source of enormous fear in the West Yorkshire area of England from 1975 to 1980. His brutal attacks on women, resulting in 13 deaths and numerous injuries, caused widespread panic. Sutcliffe's ability to evade capture for years despite intense police efforts added to the public's unease. His modus operandi often involved bludgeoning and stabbing his targets. Sutcliffe was finally arrested in 1981 for driving with false license plates, leading to his confession. His trial and subsequent life imprisonment brought some relief to a region that had lived in fear for half a decade.

Andrei Chikatilo

Rostov-on-Don, Russia
This "Butcher of Rostov" was an enduring horrifying menace in Rostov-on-Don and surrounding areas between 1978 and 1990, and committed the gruesome murders of at least 52 women and children. Chikatilo's killings were marked by extreme violence, including mutilation and cannibalism. The Soviet authorities struggled to capture him, often misdirected by the assumption that the killer was mentally ill or a vagrant. Chikatilo's eventual arrest in 1990 came after he was spotted at a murder scene and linked through blood evidence. His trial revealed the horrifying details, and he was executed in 1994, ending one of Russia's most infamous criminal sprees.

Ivan Milat

New South Wales, Australia
Dubbed the "Backpacker Murderer," Milat was responsible for the deaths of seven backpackers in New South Wales between 1989 and 1992. The victims' remains were discovered in the Belanglo State Forest, showing signs of brutal torture. The case instilled deep fear among travelers in Australia. Milat's arrest in 1994 followed a meticulous investigation that linked him to the murders through forensic evidence and survivor testimony. His trial in 1996 resulted in life imprisonment without parole. Milat's crimes had a profound impact on the perception of safety for international backpackers in Australia.

Jack the Ripper

London, England
Jack the Ripper is one of history's most enigmatic serial killers, active in London's Whitechapel district in 1888. The killer's modus operandi involved gruesome mutilations of at least five women, primarily women who worked in the sex trade. The lack of a clear suspect, despite numerous investigations, contributed to a climate of fear and speculation. The mystery surrounding Jack the Ripper's identity has inspired countless theories and extensive media coverage over the years. The case remains unsolved, but it has left an indelible mark on London's history, symbolizing the darker aspects of the Victorian era.

Richard Ramirez

Los Angeles, USA
"The Night Stalker" was the embodiment of terror in Los Angeles during 1984 and 1985. His string of atrocities included home invasions, assaults, and murders, often accompanied by satanic rituals. Ramirez's random and brutal methods caused widespread panic. He targeted people of all ages, killing 14 people and committing numerous other acts of violence . Ramirez was finally captured in August 1985 when citizens in East Los Angeles recognized him and restrained him until police arrived. His trial and conviction brought an end to one of the most fear-inducing crime sprees in Los Angeles history.

Luis Garavito

Colombia
"The Beast," is one of the world's most prolific serial killers. His reign of monstrosity included being responsible for the deaths of over 138 boys in Colombia during the 1990s. Garavito attracted his victims with promises of gifts or money before torturing and killing them. The discovery of mass graves and the extent of his horrors shocked the nation. Garavito was apprehended in 1999, and his detailed confessions revealed the horrifying scale of his atrocities. He was sentenced to 1,853 years in prison, a sentence that, while significant, still seemed insufficient for the lives he took.

Thierry Paulin

Paris, France
Thierry Paulin, known as The Monster of Montmartre brutally killed at least 21 elderly women in Paris during the 1980s. Bodies were often found savagely beaten and strangled, with their homes robbed of valuables. Paulin created a climate of fear, particularly among the elderly. With the proceeds from his crimes, he lived a lifestyle that included drugs, clubbing and lavish parties. Paulin was arrested in 1987 after a failed robbery and confessed to his crimes while in custody. He died of AIDS in 1989, leaving behind a legacy of horror in the Parisian community.

Fritz Haarmann

Hanover, Germany
Yet another butcher-nicknamed killer, "The Butcher of Hanover" was active in the 1920s, preying on young men and boys in Hanover. Haarmann lured unsuspecting victims with promises of work or shelter, only to murder and dismember them. He sold off their personal belongings, with his actions also leading to rumors of cannibalism. Haarmann was arrested in 1924 after a thorough investigation linked him to the disappearance of numerous youths. His trial revealed the extent of his gruesome acts, and he was executed by guillotine in 1925, bringing an end to one of Germany's most notorious crime sprees.

Javed Iqbal

Lahore, Pakistan
This depraved killer confessed to the murder of 100 boys in Lahore during the late 1990s. His detailed accounts included keeping photographs of bodies and then dumping them to dissolve in acid. Iqbal's arrest in 1999 followed his own letters to the police and newspapers, outlining his crimes. The case highlighted severe deficiencies in Pakistan's child protection systems and shocked the entire nation. Iqbal was sentenced to death, but he died under suspicious circumstances in his cell before the sentence could be carried out, leaving many questions unanswered.

What other infamous killers could have made this list? Let us know in the comments.