Why do serial killers kill?

 Why serial killers kill

People kill for many reasons, but only some become serial killers. Some famous serial killers include Jeffery Dahmer, Richard Ramirez, and Ted Bundy. Most of them had in common traumatic childhoods that may be a factor in their behavior. But some other reasons are caused by wanting to get revenge or just because they want to, for example Richard Ramirez, Ted Bundy, etc. 

Jack the Ripper

London in 1888 was gripped by reports of a vicious serial killer stalking the city streets. Jack the Ripper lured women into darkened alleys before doing brutal things to the victim.

In that summer and fall there were five victims found with their throats slit.

Soon after, in November of 1888, Jack seemed to disappear. The case closed six years later in 1892 due to investigators not being able to find him. 

History.com states “his brutal murders of female sex workers in Victorian London suggest a mix of rage, sexual psychopathy, and possibly a distorted sense of justice or misogyny, targeting vulnerable women in poverty,” which is one possible reason why he did the killings of the women.

Richard Ramirez 

When Richard Ramirez dropped out of high school he moved from El Paso,  Texas to Los Angeles, California. In June, 1984 he committed his first known murder, a 79 year old Los Angeles woman who he first raped. Eight months later he started his killing spree again. Most of his killings happened in the Los Angeles area and took place during home invasions.  

On August 30, 1985, six days after his last known murder, Ramirez’s name and photograph were released to the public, and the following day a man saw him and notified the police. A chase ensured, and as Ramirez tried to steal a car, he was surrounded by a crowd and beaten until police arrived. 

His trial began in early 1989, and in September he was convicted of 13 murders and a variety of other crimes. He was sentenced to life in prison but he was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2013. 

According to britannica.com, one of the reasons he killed was due to abuse when he was younger, also “His motivations were multi-faceted, driven by a desire for control and the “thrill” of violence.”

Some explanations why serial killers murder multiple people  

Serial killers kill for multiple reasons but according to masterclass.com, “ While each serial killer might murder for different reasons, certain motives crop up and time again.”

Hunger for power: Serial killers often murder because of a desire for power. They seek to dominate their victims, not just to kill them. Some theorize the worst murderers of history, like Adolf Hitler, had this motivation.

Notoriety: Serial killers, like mass shooters, often kill in the interest of attention. One example is the Zodiac Killer, who sent messages about his killing to a Bay Area newspaper.

Psychosis: Some would argue all serial killers are verifiable and literal psychopaths. For example, Jeffery Dahmer had a troubled history before they began killing their victims. 

Revenge: Some serial killers use their killings as an opportunity to seek revenge against the people who wronged them.

Sadistic pleasure:  Serial killers might gain a deranged sense of delight in torturing and murdering their victims.