Top 10 True Crime Conspiracy Theories

On the night of December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot and murdered by Mark David Chapman. To this day, his motive remains murky, leading some to question the official story. In the 1970s, Lennon was an outspoken activist who opposed the Vietnam War and supported various left-wing causes. And it’s also true that both the CIA and the FBI surveilled Lennon and even sought to deport him to silence his influence. One conspiracy theory posits that they went even further and either hired Chapman as a hitman or brainwashed him into becoming an assassin, “Manchurian Candidate” style. However, most historians and experts dismiss the theory, arguing that Chapman was simply a deranged fan who grew resentful of Lennon’s lifestyle and public image.

Sometimes the line between “conspiracy theory” and genuine “theory” is a little blurred. Such is the case with the Smiley Face theory. Some professionals believe that a network of killers is responsible for the drowning deaths of dozens of college-aged men across the United States since the 1990s. Found near most of the bodies was smiley face graffiti, suggesting that the symbol is some type of calling card for the criminal organization. The major proponents of the theory are New York detectives Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte and criminal justice professor Lee Gilbertson. It’s an interesting theory, but it is often dismissed owing to a lack of evidence, the frequency of drowning deaths, and the proliferation of smiley face graffiti.

There are some interesting things connecting Charles Manson with MKUltra. In the late 1960s, Manson and his followers spent time around the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic, which was allegedly associated with a known MKUltra researcher named Louis West. The CIA’s program also experimented with LSD as a means of mind control, and they were known to infiltrate drug-taking hippie movements - movements like the Manson Family. Ergo, it’s very possible that at some point in time, Manson was embroiled in MKUltra experimentation, which in turn resulted in his infamous killings. Some even argue that the killings were engineered by the CIA as a means of discrediting the anti-government counterculture movement. However, the evidence is merely circumstantial, and there is no smoking gun to support the theory.

People look for scapegoats in times of uncertainty. JonBenét Ramsey was murdered in her Colorado home on Christmas night, 1996, her body being found the next morning. It was obvious that she had been murdered, but the perp has never been identified. Enter Burke Ramsey, JonBenét’s older brother. Some theorists speculate that Burke accidentally killed JonBenét during a routine sibling conflict, likely hitting her over the head with a blunt object. Their parents, not wanting to lose their son as well, proceeded to cover up the crime. This theory remains one of the most debated aspects of the case, but there is no definitive proof that Burke was responsible, and he has been officially cleared by law enforcement.

Whether you call them the Phantom of Texarkana, the Phantom Killer, or the Phantom Slayer, one thing remains consistent - they murdered five people throughout the greater Texarkana area in early 1946. The killings technically remain unsolved, although most officials believe that a career criminal named Youell Swinney was responsible. But there is another theory - or conspiracy theory. The area is home to two military bases, the Red River Army Depot and the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant, both of which were active during World War II. Owing to the tactical precision of the murders and the perp’s use of a standard-issue .32 caliber weapon, some believe that a soldier was responsible and that the military covered it up to prevent bad publicity.

The world was left shocked on August 5, 1962, when it was announced that Marilyn Monroe was found dead at the age of 36, the result - supposedly - of an intentional overdose. But some are convinced that the Kennedy family was nefariously involved. Monroe was very close with President John F. Kennedy, and the two were supposedly having an affair. One theory contends that Monroe obtained classified information from Kennedy, including details about UFOs, the Bay of Pigs invasion, or nuclear warfare, and that she was silenced to protect these secrets. Some believe the Kennedys ordered a hit after she planned to expose the information, and some believe that the FBI killed her after learning she knew the secrets. Either way, the result is the same.

Whether it’s 9/11 or Oklahoma City, some people are absolutely convinced that the American government has a history of blowing up public buildings. There was a prominent militia movement growing in the early 1990s, and anti-government sentiment abounded. In order to stem the growing movement, the American government blew up the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City and blamed it on a radicalized extremist. In doing so, the public sentiment would shift back to the federal government and order would be restored. In truth, Timothy McVeigh conducted the bombing as an act of revenge against the U.S. government and their controversial handling of both Ruby Ridge and Waco.

While widely debunked, the theory that Jack the Ripper was a member of the Royal Family has persisted for well over a century. But exactly which member remains contested. Some think it was Queen Victoria’s grandson, Prince Albert Victor, who committed the murders after growing mentally unstable. And some think it was the Queen’s personal physician, William Gull. The story goes that the Prince had a secret child with a working-class woman of the neighborhood and that Gull was ordered to silence all who knew the secret. Regardless of who it was, the Royal Family proceeded to cover it up and blamed it on a shadowy serial killer. Of course, there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that either of these stories are true.

Shortly after turning grunge mainstream and becoming a spokesman of Gen X, Kurt Cobain took his own life at the age of 27. Naturally, some believe he was murdered. This theory has been largely fueled by supposed inconsistencies in the official account. For example, Cobain had extremely high levels of heroin in his system, and some think this amount would have incapacitated him instantly, thereby making the fatal gunshot impossible. His letter also appears to have two different handwriting styles. The main culprit in the theory is Cobain’s wife, Courtney Love, and she has faced excessive blame and ridicule ever since. However, those who believe in the theory often rely on mere speculation rather than definitive forensic proof - none of which points to a murderer.

What is arguably the biggest true crime in history occurred on November 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while driving through Dealey Plaza. The official story is that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone and shot the President, but there are, quite literally, countless conspiracy theories arguing against this. Many people have been blamed for Kennedy’s assassination, including the CIA, the Soviets, the Mafia, Fidel Castro, Lyndon B. Johnson - and yes, even the Illuminati. Perhaps the most famous theory concerns a second shooter on the Grassy Knoll who was responsible for the fatal shot to Kennedy’s head. It doesn’t matter which one you believe. The point is, almost no one actually thinks that it was Oswald.

Do you personally believe in any of these theories? Let us know in the comments below!