Top 30 SHOCKING Real Life Revenge Stories

#30: Peter the Great

The Husband Who Made an Example

Peter I, or Peter the Great as hes more famously known, served as tsar and Emperor of Russia in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was also a very jealous man. Peter discovered that his wife, Catherine I, was having an affair with her secretary, Willem Mons. So, in 1724, Peter had Mons arrested on charges of bribery and abuse of office. He was tried, found guilty, and beheaded. But theres one more grisly detail. Peter reportedly had Mons head preserved in alcohol and displayed in a jar as a warning, at one time even proudly showing it to Catherine. Granted, the pickled head story is not definitively proven, but many historians believe it likely due to Peters documented interest in anatomy and harsh punishments.

#29: Phoolan Devi

The Bandit Queen

Young Phoolan Devi was a victim of the Indian caste system, often forced to endure sexual violence and class oppression. This resulted in the highly controversial Behmai massacre of 1981. Phoolan had endured horrific abuse by the upper-caste Thakur men in the village of Behmai. Devi then took direct action against the men and structures that had brutalized her, raiding the village with a gang and murdering twenty Thakur men in an execution-style shooting. The Indian government was deeply embarrassed by the violence and triggered one of the largest manhunts in the countrys history. Devi was imprisoned for eleven years, but she soon became a local folk hero, and later, a member of the Indian Parliament.

#28: Reinhard Heydrich

The Man with the Iron Heart

Considered one of the most depraved Nazi officials, Reinhard Heydrich was dubbed The Man with the Iron Heart and was the principal organizer of the infamous Final Solution. He also served as governor of the Czech territories, crushing resistance through mass arrests and executions. But in late 1941, the Czechoslovak government-in-exile and special British forces decided to assassinate Heydrich to boost Czech morale and show that collaboration with the Nazis would not go unpunished. They planned Operation Anthropoid, and on May 27, 1942, two paratroopers ambushed Heydrichs open-top car in Prague. One threw a grenade that exploded near the vehicle, fatally wounding Heydrich. He died of complications one week later.

#27: The Great Brinks Robbery

Specs Gets Even

On January 17, 1950, a gang pulled off the biggest heist in U.S. history at the time, stealing $2.7 million from the Brinks armored car depot in Boston. The robbery was virtually flawless, leaving the FBI with few leads. But tensions soon grew within the gang, especially with member Joseph Specs OKeefe, who wasnt receiving his share of the loot. So OKeefe kidnapped a fellow gang member and demanded his cut as ransom. After it was paid, the gang sent a hitman to kill him. He survived the shooting and, fed up with the drama, decided to cooperate with the FBI. His testimony led to numerous arrests - just five days before the statute of limitations was set to expire.

#26: Hugh Glass

The Man Who Survived a Grizzly Bear

The story of Hugh Glass, while possibly embellished, shows the resiliency of the human spirit. And, yes, the motivating factor of revenge. Glass was mauled by a grizzly bear while on a fur trading expedition and was both robbed and left behind by his companions. He then crawled and limped hundreds of miles back to Fort Kiowa to seek revenge against the men who had abandoned him. He spared the younger of the two, finding him too youthful and child-like to kill. He also located John Fitzgerald, but because he was now a soldier, killing him would have been a hangable offense. However, he took his rifle back from Fitzgerald, demanded $300 in compensation, and vowed to kill Fitzgerald if he ever left the army.

#25: Operation Wrath of God

The Government That Hunted Terrorists

In 1972, eleven Israelis were killed by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September during the Munich Olympics. This event shocked the world and would famously become known as the Munich massacre. So, the Israeli government launched a covert operation to assassinate those responsible and take their revenge. It was called Operation Wrath of God, which may we say, is a super badass name. This attack was personally approved by Prime Minister Golda Meir and was overseen by Mossad, the national intelligence agency of Israel. Their agents then scoured the world and assassinated a number of key targets throughout the course of many years.

#24: Wyatt Earp

The Lawman Who Formed a Posse

Wyatt Earp is one of the most famous figures of the American frontier, immortalized in classic works of film and literature. One of the key aspects of his story is the famous Vendetta Ride, which occurred throughout March and April of 1882. Violence was escalating between the Earp brothers and the outlaw Cochise County Cowboys in and around Tombstone, Arizona. Following the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Virgil and Morgan Earp were ambushed by the Cowboys, resulting in the latters death. Wyatt then formed a posse to exact revenge and rode out to personally murder three Cowboys he believed were responsible for the attacks. The vendetta ride cemented Wyatts reputation as a fearless lawman and a mythical figure of the Old West.

#23: Vlad the Impaler

The Man Who Battled an Empire

You probably know Vlad the Impaler as the man who inspired Dracula. But his story is fascinating in and of itself. Vlad lived during a violent time of political instability, and two key events shaped his path of revenge - he was taken hostage and mistreated by the Ottomans, and Wallachian nobles killed his father and brother. After reclaiming the throne in 1456, Vlad took revenge on the Wallachian nobility by impaling a number of elders and forcing others into servitude. He also launched a guerilla war against the Ottoman Empire and utilized terrifying psychological tactics, like publicly mounting thousands of Turkish corpses in the horrifically-named Forest of the Impaled. Its no wonder he took on such a fearful reputation.

#22: Sweyn Forkbeard

The Viking Who Invaded a Country

In 1002, King Æthelred of England had grown frustrated by the growing Danish presence in his country, so he ordered a mass killing of Danes living in England. This is known as the St. Brices Day massacre. Said to be among the dead was the sister and brother-in-law of Sweyn Forkbeard, the King of Denmark. The massacre of his people and family incensed Forkbeard, and he launched a series of devastating invasions over the next decade. His raids were brutally savage and he was successful in conquering England, forcing King Æthelred into exile and taking his role as King. His brief reign marked the first time that a Viking king ruled the entirety of England. Now thats revenge.

#21: Gary Plauché

The Man Who Shot His Sons Abuser

In February of 1984, Gary Plauchés son Jody was kidnapped by his karate instructor, Jeffrey Doucet, and taken to a motel in California, where he was subject to mistreatment. The ordeal ended when Doucet allowed Jody to call his mother, leading to a police raid and Doucets arrest. Not long after, Doucet was escorted through Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport by law enforcement. Unbeknownst to everyone, Gary Plauché was waiting near a bank of payphones. As Doucet walked past Plauché, he turned and shot Doucet in the head, in full view of law enforcement and a local news crew. Amazingly, Plauché never served time in prison, instead receiving a suspended sentence, five years of probation, and 300 hours of community service.

#20: Marvin Heemeyer

The Killdozer Creator

For years, Heemeyer had clashed with people in Granby, Colorado, including neighbors, town officials, and the press. After one last injustice, he sold off his property and spent 18 months turning his bulldozer into a weapon. Heemeyer reinforced it with concrete and steel, fitted video cameras and slots for firearms, and filled the interior with supplies. In 2004, Heemeyer drove the vehicle, known as the Killdozer, through Granby, destroying properties belonging to those who wronged him. This included the town hall, the concrete plant, and the home of the former mayor. No one perished from the rampage, but its believed Heemeyer caused around $7 million in damage. After the bulldozer got stuck in debris and was badly damaged, Heemeyer took his own life.

#19: Olga of Kiev

The Saint Who Destroyed a Tribe

In 945, Igor, the Prince of Kyiv, confronted the Drevlian tribe after they stopped paying him a tribute. After getting money and leaving, Igor went back to get more, only to be murdered by them. Igors wife, Olga, then took over the regency of Kyivan Rus. The Drevlians sent multiple parties of ambassadors to take advantage of the chaos. Instead, each group was lured in by Olga before being slain. She then went to Igors tomb in Drevlians territory to hold a funeral. While the tribe paid their respects, Olga had thousands of them killed. Over the course of a year, her army wiped out the remaining Drevlians and set their settlements ablaze. Olga later converted to Christianity and was canonized a Saint.

#18: Julius Caesar

From Hostage to Tormentor

Before he became the ruler of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar traveled from Rome, Italy, to Rhodes, Greece, to study oratory. However, pirates attacked and took the 25-year-old for ransom. But when Caesar heard how much they were asking for him, he laughed. Not because it was an impossible figure but for being far too low. Instead, Caesar told them to substantially increase it due to his status. For his 38 days there, he threatened the pirates that he would crucify them, yet none believed him. After his release, Caesar gathered an army and a fleet. They found the pirates at the island they had held him at and arrested them. Casar followed through on his promise by executing them all.

#17: Ken McElroy

The Vengeance of Skidmore

For decades, Ken McElroy terrorized the town of Skidmore, Missouri. He was accused of committing many crimes, including thieving livestock, arson, animal cruelty, and burglary. McElroy also assaulted an underage girl, who he later married after a reign of terror against her family, including slaying their dog. In 1981, after appealing his conviction for the attempted murder of the local shopkeeper Ernest Bowenkamp, McElroy went on a rampage of harassment against Bowenkamps supporters. The town was done with him. As McElroy sat with his wife in his truck, he was fatally shot multiple times. While there were dozens of witnesses to the slaying, no one said anything. To this day, the perpetrator has never been identified.

#16: Alan Ralsky

The Poetic Spam Revenge

No one likes junk mail, whether email or postal. Sure, for every coupon book you might want, there are numerous advertisements for products youll never use. One of the biggest scourges of sending this was Alan Ralsky. In his spamming prime, he was reportedly sending one billion emails a day. But in 2002, Ralsky had an interview with The Detroit News. The article was then shared online, along with the address for his new property. People then added Ralsky to every mailing list they could find, flooding his home with junk mail and giving him a taste of his own medicine. In 2009, Ralsky was sentenced to jail for four years for various felonies, including fraud, spamming, and money laundering.

#15: Jeanne de Clisson

Taking to the Seas Against the French

How there hasnt been a blockbuster biopic on her life, well never understand. Jeanne was a Breton-French noblewoman who was married to Olivier IV de Clisson. In 1343, Olivier was executed by King Philip VI of France for apparent treason. After showing their sons their fathers head on display, Jeanne sold the family estates and began her plan of piracy. She gathered ships, with the main one called My Revenge, and started attacking French vessels and aiding the English. Jeannes feats earned her the nickname The Lioness of Brittany. Eventually, the French sank My Revenge, causing Jeanne and her sons to be adrift for days. But she continued pirating for years more.

#14: Udham Singh

The Retaliator of a Massacre

In 1919, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in India, with British soldiers firing on protestors, taking the lives of up to 1500 and injuring as many as 1200. Singh was a revolutionary who fought for Indias independence from British colonialism. While in London, England, he planned his revenge against Michael O'Dwyer, who was the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab during the terrible event. In 1940, O'Dwyer, who had ties to pro-Nazi groups, was speaking at Caxton Hall. Singh walked in with a firearm concealed in a book. He approached ODwyer and shot him, ending his life and injuring several others. Singh was arrested yet was defiant during the court case for his beliefs. He was found guilty and executed.

#13: Genghis Khan

Obliterating an Empire from History

In 1218, Genghis looked to trade with the neighboring Khwarazmian Empire and sent an envoy of several hundred merchants. However, the governor of Otrar, Inalchuq, who was related to the Khwarazmian ruler Muhammad II, arrested the caravan for treason and executed them. Aiming to avoid a war and get revenge against Inalchuq, Genghis sent ambassadors to Muhammad II. One was executed by the ruler, while the others were shaved and sent back to Genghis. With that, the Mongol ruler was livid. Genghis took most of his army and decimated the Khwarazmian Empire, assassinating Inalchuq along the way. The Mongols destroyed Khwarazmian cities and took the lives of millions of people as they wiped an empire from history.

#12: The Dachau Liberation Reprisals

In 1945, the US soldiers approaching the infamous Dachau concentration camp had no idea of the horror they would witness. In the weeks leading to the liberation, prisoners were shipped to Dachau as they started hiding the evidence of what had happened. As the US fought the SS soldiers to surrender, they discovered thousands of bodies in piles, some shoved into train boxcars, and the extremely malnourished and abused survivors. Many of the US soldiers couldnt wrap their heads around the atrocities and were filled with unbridled rage. The exact details of what went down are hazy. However, its believed the US soldiers and some of the prisoners took the lives of between 35 and 50 SS guards.

#11: The 47 Rnin

Avenging Their Masters Memory

One of Japans most famous legends, the tale of the 47 rnin is actually rooted in reality. After their master, Asano Naganori, was forced to commit seppuku in 1701 by the ruthless Kira Yoshinaka, the former samurais spent over a year biding their time until Kiras forces believed they werent a threat. Then, they struck. In 1703, the rnin attacked Kiras residence, fighting many of his retainers. Eventually, they located Kira and offered to let him to commit seppuku. However, he couldnt do it. So, their leader, ishi Yoshio, did it for him and took Kiras head to Asanos grave. Each rnin was sentenced to death for their revenge but was given the choice to commit seppuku, which they all took.

#10: Pierre Picaud

The Real Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo is one of the greatest revenge stories in literary history. And though its a work of fiction, the main character, Edmond Dantès, is said to be based on a real man named Pierre Picaud. A 19th-century shoemaker from southern France, Picaud was falsely accused of being an English spy by his alleged friends. Following years of forced servitude, Picaud was released, and, after some careful plotting, murdered the three men whod betrayed him. He was particularly ruthless in dealing with Loupian, the man whod married his former fiancée. Picaud tricked the mans children into lives of crime before finally stabbing their father to death.

#9: Alexander Alec Turner

The Ex-Slave Who Got Even

Reminiscent of a real-life version of Django, Alec Turner was born into slavery on a Virginia tobacco plantation in 1845. At a young age, he was taught to read and write in secret by the plantation owners granddaughter. They were eventually caught however, and Turner was badly beaten and whipped. Eventually able to escape at the start of the Civil War, Turner joined the Union Army. In 1863, Turner returned to his old plantation with his regiment and personally shot and killed his former overseer. He survived the war, eventually settling on a farm in Vermont, appropriately named Journeys End.

#8: Nakam

The Jewish Avengers

Understandably, many people were dissatisfied with the result of the Nuremberg Trials, where only 24 individuals were indicted. And so a group formed named Nakam, shortened from Dam Yehudi Nakam or Jewish Blood Will Be Avenged, with the goal of seeking their own form of justice. The group poisoned 3,000 loaves of bread that were being sent to an American PoW camp, intended for former SS members. Over 2,000 prisoners were reportedly made ill, but, to the retroactive disappointment of former Nakam member Joseph Harmatz, there were no confirmed fatalities. According to some members, however, the group had originally desired to kill six million Germans by poisoning the water supplies of the countrys main cities.

#7: Frank Eaton

The Man Who Avenged His Pa

Born in the mid-19th century in Connecticut, Frank Eaton moved to Kansas with his family when he was eight years old. Around this time, his vigilante father was killed by six ex-Confederate soldiers. A family friend told Eaton My boy, may an old mans curse rest upon you, if you do not try to avenge your father. Frank began training, quickly earned the nickname Pistol Pete, and was said to be faster on the draw than Buffalo Bill. As the story goes, he managed to seek out and kill five of the murderers before he turned 30, with the last, John Ferber, escaping Eatons wrath only by dying before Eaton could get to him.

#6: Aaron Burr

The Vice-President Whod Had Enough

Weve heard of political rivalries before but nothing quite like this. Both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were big players on the political stage at the turn of the 19th-century. Burr had gone up against Thomas Jefferson for the Presidential nomination, but lost, thanks in part to Hamiltons influence. A few years later, Burr ran for Governor of New York, only to once again see his ambitions dashed by the counter-efforts of Hamilton, who campaigned aggressively against him. Fed up, Burr, who was still Vice-President at the time, challenged Hamilton to a duel. The pair met in Weehawken, New Jersey, and Hamilton was mortally wounded.

#5: Buford Pusser

The Sheriff Who Walked Tall

During his time as sheriff of McNairy County, Buford Pusser waged a one-man war on crime, focusing primarily on the State Line Mob, which operated along the border of Mississippi and Tennessee. Naturally this didnt sit well with the gang, who severely wounded Pusser and murdered his wife in a drive-by assassination attempt. Pussers ensuing quest for revenge inspired a trilogy of films in the 70s and a 2004 remake starring Dwayne Johnson. Though the exact details are largely obscured in mystery and rumor, various authors and local law enforcement have suggested that Pusser had a hand in the killing of three of the four men he accused of being behind his wifes death.

#4: Carl V. Ericsson

The Retiree Who Really Held a Grudge

High school can be a difficult time, particularly if you arent considered one of the so-called popular kids. Carl Ericsson experienced this firsthand when he was the victim of a cruel prank. While exact details of the incident are unclear, it did involve a jockstrap being placed on Ericssons head in front of a group of students. Ericsson blamed Norman Johnson for the prank, and took the idea that revenge is a dish best served cold a little too far. He waited over 50 years to get even, confronting Johnson and killing him in his home in 2012. Both men were in their 70s, and Ericsson was given a life sentence for his crime.

#3: Jared Harris

The Avenging Amateur Tattoo Artist

Prison is a rough place in general, but for those whove been convicted of crimes against children it is living hell. Back in 2006, Anthony R. Stockelman was sentenced to life in prison after assaulting and murdering the young Katie Collman. To the ignorance of officials, Stockelman was placed in the very same prison as Katies older cousin, Jared Harris, who was serving time for burglary. From what investigators could put together, it seems that Harris cornered Stockelman, and with the help of other inmates, tattooed the words found on the inmates forehead the next morning. The script in question? KATIES REVENGE.

#2: Lorena Bobbitt

The Knife-Wielding Wife Who Refused to be the Victim Anymore

Weve heard of volatile marriages before, but this case caught the attention of the international community. According to Lorena Bobbitt, shed suffered various forms of abuse at the hands of her husband for years, and on the night that she finally snapped, he had forced himself on her. That was June 23rd, 1993, a date ex-hubby John Wayne Bobbitt is unlikely to ever forget. While her husband slept, Lorena took a carving knife from the kitchen and cut off his penis, drove several miles, and threw it into a field. It was eventually found after an extensive search and reattached during an over-9 hour operation.

#1: Akku Yadav

The Accused Predator Who Met Mob Justice In 2004, Akku Yadav, real name Bharat Kalicharan, was standing trial in India. Yadav was a locally known predator and murderer, having allegedly assaulted over 200 women during a 10-year span, and reportedly murdered at least three individuals. The women of Kasturba Nagar, where Yadav was from, had finally had enough. A lynch mob of around 200 women interrupted the proceedings and assaulted Yadav. They reportedly threw chili powder in his face, stabbed him over 70 times and cut off his penis. While several women were arrested, it seems that all were eventually released due to lack of evidence.

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