10 EXACT Pieces of Evidence That CAUGHT Serial Killers

Top-10-EXACT-Pieces-of-Evidence-That-Caught-a-Serial-Killer

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down the times serial killers were caught thanks to specific pieces of evidence that they unwittingly — or even wittingly — provided.

#10: Albert Fish’s Letters

Albert Fish, a particularly notorious serial killer, sent a chilling letter to the Budd family, describing the gruesome murder of their daughter, Grace Budd. The letter was filled with horrific details that only the killer would know. Investigators traced the emblem on the envelope to the New York Private Chauffeur's Benevolent Association, narrowing down their search to a rooming house where Fish had stayed. Upon arrest, Fish initially denied any wrongdoing but eventually confessed in graphic detail. This letter, combined with his confession and corroborative evidence from the crime scene, provided undeniable proof of his guilt. Fish, who had admitted to the killings of several other young people, was eventually found guilty and sentenced to death.

#9: Jack Unterweger's Signature

This Austrian serial killer was initially convicted of murder in 1974 but released in 1990, believed to be reformed. However, a series of killings in Austria and the United States soon followed his release. Authorities noted similarities between the crimes in both countries, including the use of his signature knot and the targeting of sex workers. This pattern was crucial in connecting the crimes. After fleeing to the U.S., Unterweger was eventually arrested in Miami in 1992. His trial in Austria included testimonies from experts on his unique modus operandi, leading to his conviction for multiple deaths.

#8: Andrei Chikatilo's Blood Type

The Rostov Ripper, committed a series of brutal murders in the Soviet Union from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. Initially, blood type analysis from semen samples suggested a different blood type from the one found at crime scenes, which misled investigators for years. This discrepancy arose because Chikatilo was a non-secretor, meaning his blood type could only be determined from a blood sample, not from other bodily fluids like semen. When he was finally arrested in 1990, further DNA analysis confirmed that his semen type AB matched the evidence from the crime scenes, while his blood type was A. This, along with his detailed confession, led to his being convicted for 52 murders and his eventual execution in 1994​.

#7: Richard Ramirez's Shoe Print

Richard Ramirez, known as the Night Stalker, terrorized Southern California in the mid-1980s with a spree of home invasions and brutal murders. A crucial breakthrough came when investigators found a unique Avia shoe print at multiple crime scenes. This rare type of sneaker, with a distinct tread pattern, was traced back to a limited number of sales, linking Ramirez to the deaths. In addition to the shoe print, eyewitness descriptions and composite sketches helped narrow down the suspect. When Ramirez was finally apprehended in 1985, the shoe print evidence played a pivotal role in putting him away. He was found guilty of 13 killings and received a death sentence.

#6: Dennis Rader's Floppy Disk

Infamously known as the BTK Killer, Rader evaded capture for decades. In 2004, he reignited his correspondence with the media and law enforcement, taunting them with details of his crimes. In one such communication, Rader asked if a floppy disk could be traced back to him. The police misleadingly assured him it could not. Rader sent a floppy disk to a local news station, which investigators quickly traced to a computer at Christ Lutheran Church, where Rader was president of the church council. This digital evidence led to his arrest in 2005. Combined with DNA evidence, Rader was convicted of 10 murders and sentenced to multiple life terms in prison.

#5: Wayne Williams' Fibers

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Atlanta was gripped by a series of murders of young African Americans. The breakthrough in this horrific case came from meticulous fiber analysis. Carpet fibers and dog hairs found on several victims matched those in Wayne Williams' home and car. Additionally, fibers from his bedspread and car trunk were consistent with those found on multiple victims. When Williams was arrested in 1981, he was initially charged with killing two adults. The fiber evidence, combined with other circumstantial evidence, linked him to numerous murders of youths. He was found guilty and received life in prison.

#4: Gary Ridgway's DNA

The Green River Killer was responsible for the deaths of at least 49 women in the 1980s and 1990s. The case remained unsolved for many years until DNA technology significantly advanced. In 2001, detectives revisited the evidence, using more sensitive testing methods. Samples taken from the victims were matched to Ridgway, whose DNA had been collected in an unrelated arrest in 1987. This conclusive genetic evidence led to his arrest and subsequent confession to numerous crimes. Ridgway was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, bringing closure to one of the most prolonged serial killer investigations in U.S. history.

#3: Ted Bundy's Bite Mark

One of America's most infamous serial killers, Bundy was linked to murders across several states in the 1970s. His capture and conviction were significantly aided by forensic odontology. During the trial for the death of Lisa Levy, a crucial piece of evidence was a bite mark on Levy's body. Bundy had unique, crooked teeth, and a forensic odontologist matched the bite mark to Bundy's dental impressions. This evidence, along with eyewitness testimony and other forensic links, led to Bundy's facing justice. The infamous killer was sentenced to death and executed in 1989.

#2: David Berkowitz's Parking Ticket

The Son of Sam terrorized New York City in the mid-1970s with a series of random shootings. His capture came about due to a simple parking ticket. On the night of his last crime in 1977, a witness noticed a suspicious figure near the scene. The police traced a parking ticket issued to a car parked illegally near a fire hydrant. The car was registered to Berkowitz. When police searched his vehicle, they found a rifle and a note threatening further violence. Berkowitz confessed to the killings, claiming he was commanded by a demon. He was sentenced to life in prison, ending his deadly spree.

#1: Edmund Kemper's Confession

A serial killer active in the early 1970s, Kemper targeted young women and his own family members. Standing at a towering 6'9", Kemper was known for his intelligence and chilling demeanor. The exact evidence that led to his eventual capture was extremely unusual for serial killers — he turned himself in. After killing his mother and her friend, Kemper called the police from Colorado, confessing to the murders and providing details only the killer would know. This voluntary confession led to his arrest. Kemper's detailed accounts of his crimes, corroborated by physical evidence, resulted in his conviction. He was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

What other examples of killers being caught by a singular piece of evidence could have been featured on this list? Let us know in the comments.