The United States has a dark history of serial killers who have terrorized communities across the country. From the infamous to the lesser-known, these criminals have left a trail of devastation in their wake. In this article, we explore one serial killer from each state, detailing their crimes, victims, and ultimate fates.
Alabama: Thomas Warren Weisenhant
- Born: January 29, 1947
- Active: 1976-1977
- Victims: 3 women
- Crimes: Abduction, assault, murder, and mutilation
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection on May 27, 2010
Thomas Weisenhant was convicted of murdering three women in Alabama. He was caught in 1977 while disposing of a victim’s body and spent 32 years on death row before his execution.
Alaska: Robert Hansen
- Born: February 15, 1939
- Active: 1972-1983
- Victims: At least 17 women
- Crimes: Abduction, assault, and murder
- Fate: Sentenced to 461 years in prison; died in 2014
Known as the “Butcher Baker,” Robert Hansen abducted women, released them into the wilderness, and hunted them down. He was caught after a victim escaped and led police to him.
Arizona: Mark Goudeau
- Born: September 6, 1964
- Active: 2005-2006
- Victims: 9 murders, 84 felony charges
- Crimes: Kidnapping, theft, assault, and murder
- Fate: Sentenced to death; currently on death row
Mark Goudeau, also known as the “Baseline Killer,” terrorized Phoenix during a 10-month spree. He was convicted of multiple murders and awaits execution.
Arkansas: Ronald Gene Simmons
- orn: July 15, 1940
- Active: December 1987
- Victims: 16 people, including 14 family members
- Crimes: Mass murder
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection on June 25, 1990
Ronald Gene Simmons murdered his family and two others in a 7-day killing spree. He was arrested without resistance and executed in 1990.
California: Richard Ramirez
- Born: February 29, 1960
- Active: 1984-1985
- Victims: 13 murders, 5 attempted murders, 11 assaults, 14 burglaries
- Crimes: Home invasions, murders, and Satanic rituals
- Fate: Died of cancer on death row in 2013
Known as the “Night Stalker,” Richard Ramirez terrorized Los Angeles with his violent crimes. He was sentenced to death but died before execution.
Colorado: Scott Lee Kimball
- Born: September 21, 1966
- Active: 2003-2004
- Victims: 4 people
- Crimes: Murder, forgery, and fraud
- Fate: Sentenced to 70 years in prison
Scott Kimball, a former FBI informant, murdered his uncle, stepdaughter, and two others. He used his informant status to evade suspicion before being caught.
Connecticut: Michael Ross
- Born: July 26, 1959
- Active: 1981-1984
- Victims: 8 young women
- Crimes: Murder and assault
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 2005
Michael Ross, known as the “Roadside Strangler,” was the last person executed in Connecticut before the state abolished the death penalty.
Delaware: Steven Pennell
- Born: November 22, 1957
- Active: 1980s
- Victims: 2 confirmed, 3 suspected
- Crimes: Murder and assault
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 1992
Steven Pennell, Delaware’s only known serial killer, abducted and murdered women along Route 40. He was executed in 1992.
Florida: Aileen Wuornos
- Born: February 29, 1956
- Active: 1989-1990
- Victims: 7 men
- Crimes: Murder and robbery
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 2002
Aileen Wuornos, a female serial killer, targeted male clients while working as a prostitute. Her story was adapted into the film Monster.
Georgia: Wayne Williams
- Born: May 27, 1958
- Active: 1979-1981
- Victims: 2 confirmed, suspected of 24 child murders
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Convicted of 2 murders; suspected of more
Wayne Williams, known as the “Atlanta Child Killer,” was convicted of two murders but is suspected of killing 24 children during the Atlanta child murders.
Hawaii: Honolulu Strangler
- Hawaii: Honolulu Strangler
Born: N/A
Active: 1985–1986
Victims: 5 women
Crimes: Murder (strangulation)
Fate: Never identified or captured
The Honolulu Strangler was an unidentified serial killer who targeted women in Honolulu, Hawaii, between 1985 and 1986. The killer strangled five women, leaving the community in fear. Despite investigations, the perpetrator was never identified or apprehended, and the case remains unsolved.
Idaho: Paul Ezra Rhoades
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1980s
- Victims: Multiple women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection
Paul Rhoades was a serial killer who targeted young women in Idaho. He was executed for his crimes.
Illinois: John Wayne Gacy
- Born: March 17, 1942
- Active: 1972-1978
- Victims: At least 33 young men and boys
- Crimes: Assault, torture, and murder
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 1994
John Wayne Gacy, known as the “Killer Clown,” murdered at least 33 young men and boys. He was executed in 1994.
Indiana: Herb Baumeister
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1980s-1990s
- Victims: At least 11 men
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Committed suicide before arrest
Herb Baumeister is suspected of murdering at least 11 men, primarily gay men, on his property. He fled to Canada and committed suicide before being arrested.
Iowa: Earl Nelson
- Born: May 12, 1897
- Active: 1920s
- Victims: 22 women
- Crimes: Murder and necrophilia
- Fate: Executed by hanging in 1928
Earl Nelson, known as the “Gorilla Man,” targeted landladies and their daughters. He was executed in 1928.
Kansas: Dennis Rader
- Born: March 9, 1945
- Active: 1974-1991
- Victims: 10 confirmed
- Crimes: Murder, torture, and taunting police
- Fate: Serving 10 consecutive life sentences
Dennis Rader, known as the “BTK Killer,” terrorized Wichita for decades. He was arrested in 2005 and is serving multiple life sentences.
Kentucky: Donald Harvey
- Born: April 15, 1952
- Active: 1970-1987
- Victims: 37 confirmed, claimed 87
- Crimes: Murder by poisoning and suffocation
- Fate: Died in prison in 2017
Donald Harvey, known as the “Angel of Death,” killed patients while working as a healthcare worker. He died in prison after being severely beaten.
Louisiana: Derek Todd Lee
- Born: November 5, 1968
- Active: 1998-2003
- Victims: 7 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died of heart disease on death row
Derek Todd Lee, known as the “Baton Rouge Serial Killer,” murdered seven women. He died of heart disease while awaiting execution.
Maine: James Hicks
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1977-1996
- Victims: 3 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Sentenced to 55 years in prison
James Hicks, Maine’s only known serial killer, murdered three women over two decades. He was finally caught in 1996.
Maryland: Joseph Metheny
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1990s
- Victims: 5 confirmed, claimed 13
- Crimes: Murder and dismemberment
- Fate: Died in prison in 2017
Joseph Metheny preyed on homeless men and prostitutes, dismembering some of his victims. He died in prison in 2017.
Massachusetts: Albert DeSalvo
- Born: September 3, 1931
- Active: 1962-1964
- Victims: 13 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Murdered in prison in 1973
Albert DeSalvo, known as the “Boston Strangler,” confessed to murdering 13 women. He was never convicted but was murdered in prison.
Michigan: Coral Eugene Watts
- Born: November 7, 1953
- Active: 1974-1982
- Victims: At least 14, suspected of over 100
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died of cancer in prison in 2007
Coral Eugene Watts, known as the “Sunday Morning Slasher,” is suspected of being one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.
Minnesota: Paul Michael Stephani
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1980-1982
- Victims: 3 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died of cancer in prison
Paul Stephani, known as the “Weepy Voice Killer,” called emergency services after his crimes. He died in prison.
Mississippi: Glenn Edward Rogers
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1993-1995
- Victims: 2 confirmed, suspected of 70
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: On death row in Florida
Glenn Rogers, a transient killer, is suspected of murdering up to 70 people across multiple states. He is currently on death row.
Missouri: Robert Berdella
- Born: January 31, 1949
- Active: 1984-1988
- Victims: 6 young men
- Crimes: Torture and murder
- Fate: Died in prison in 1992
Robert Berdella, known as the “Kansas City Butcher,” tortured and murdered young men in his home. He died in prison.
Montana: Nathaniel Bar-Jonah
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1964-1999
- Victims: 5 suspected, 10+ child assaults
- Crimes: Child assault and suspected cannibalism
- Fate: Died in prison in 2008
Nathaniel Bar-Jonah was a suspected serial killer and cannibal who primarily targeted children. He died in prison.
Nebraska: Charles Starkweather
- Born: November 24, 1938
- Active: 1957-1958
- Victims: 11 people
- Crimes: Murder and robbery
- Fate: Executed in 1959
Charles Starkweather went on a two-month killing spree with his girlfriend, murdering 11 people. He was executed in 1959.
Nevada: Carol Cole
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1947-1980
- Victims: 5 confirmed, suspected of 30
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 1985
Carol Cole was convicted of murdering five people but is suspected of killing up to 30. He was executed in 1985.
New Hampshire: Sheila LaBarre
- Born: N/A
- Active: 2005-2006
- Victims: 2 confirmed, suspected of more
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Serving life in prison
Sheila LaBarre claimed God sent her to punish pedophiles. She was convicted of murdering two boyfriends.
New Jersey: Richard Biegenwald
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1958-1983
- Victims: 5 confirmed, suspected of 8
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died in prison in 2008
Richard Biegenwald was convicted of five murders but is suspected of killing more. He died in prison.
New Mexico: David Parker Ray
- Born: November 6, 1939
- Active: 1990s
- Victims: 3 confirmed, suspected of 60-100
- Crimes: Torture and assault
- Fate: Died in prison in 2002
David Parker Ray, known as the “Toy Box Killer,” tortured and assaulted women in a portable torture chamber. He died in prison.
New York: David Berkowitz
- Born: June 1, 1953
- Active: 1976-1977
- Victims: 6 murders, 11 wounded
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Serving six life sentences
David Berkowitz, known as the “Son of Sam,” terrorized New York City in the late 1970s. He is serving multiple life sentences.
North Carolina: Henry Louis Wallace
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1992-1994
- Victims: 9 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: On death row
Henry Louis Wallace, known as the “Taco Bell Strangler,” targeted young African-American women. He is on death row.
North Dakota: Eugene Butler
- Born: 1849
- Active: 1900-1906
- Victims: 6 teenage boys
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died in an insane asylum in 1913
Eugene Butler murdered six teenage boys and buried them in his basement. He died in an asylum before his crimes were discovered.
Ohio: Anthony Sowell
- Born: August 19, 1959
- Active: 2007-2009
- Victims: 11 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died in prison in 2021
Anthony Sowell, known as the “Cleveland Strangler,” targeted vulnerable women. He died in prison before his execution.
Oklahoma: Roger Dale Stafford
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1974-1978
- Victims: 9 confirmed
- Crimes: Murder and robbery
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 1995
Roger Dale Stafford murdered nine people during a series of robberies. He was executed in 1995.
Oregon: Dayton Leroy Rogers
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1980s
- Victims: 8 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Serving life without parole
Dayton Leroy Rogers, known as the “Molalla Forest Murderer,” targeted vulnerable women. He is serving a life sentence.
Pennsylvania: Gary Heidnik
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1986-1987
- Victims: 2 women
- Crimes: Kidnapping, torture, and murder
- Fate: Executed by lethal injection in 1999
Gary Heidnik kidnapped and tortured six women, killing two. He was executed in 1999.
Rhode Island: Craig Price
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1987-1989
- Victims: 4 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Serving life in prison
Craig Price committed four murders between the ages of 13 and 15. He is serving a life sentence.
South Carolina: Donald Henry Gaskins
- Born: March 13, 1933
- Active: 1953-1982
- Victims: 15 confirmed, claimed 110
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Executed in 1991
Donald Gaskins, known as the “Pee Wee Gaskins,” murdered at least 15 people. He was executed in 1991.
South Dakota: Robert Leroy Anderson
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1980s
- Victims: 2 confirmed
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Died in prison in 2002
Robert Leroy Anderson murdered two people across multiple states. He died in prison while awaiting execution.
Tennessee: Paul Dennis Reid
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1997
- Victims: 7 fast food employees
- Crimes: Murder and robbery
- Fate: Died in prison in 2013
Paul Dennis Reid, known as the “Fast Food Killer,” targeted fast food workers. He died in prison while awaiting execution.
Texas: Dean Corll
- Born: December 24, 1939
- Active: 1970-1973
- Victims: At least 28
- Crimes: Murder and torture
- Fate: Murdered by an accomplice in 1973
Dean Corll, known as the “Candyman,” was part of the Houston Mass Murders. He was killed by an accomplice before being arrested.
Utah: Ted Bundy
- Born: November 24, 1946
- Active: 1970s
- Victims: 30-36
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Executed in 1989
Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers, murdered at least 30 women. He was executed in 1989.
Vermont: Israel Keyes
- Born: January 7, 1978
- Active: 2001-2012
- Victims: 11 confirmed
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Committed suicide in 2012
Israel Keyes was a meticulous serial killer who buried “kill kits” across the country. He committed suicide in 2012.
Virginia: Timothy Wilson Spencer
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1984-1987
- Victims: 5 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Executed by electric chair in 1994
Timothy Wilson Spencer, known as the “Southside Strangler,” murdered five women. He was executed in 1994.
Washington: Gary Ridgway
- Born: February 18, 1949
- Active: 1982-1998
- Victims: 71 confirmed
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Serving life without parole
Gary Ridgway, known as the “Green River Killer,” is one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history. He is serving a life sentence.
West Virginia: Harry Powers
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1930s
- Victims: 5 women, 3 children
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Executed in 1932
Harry Powers, known as the “Bluebeard of Quiet Dell,” murdered lonely widows for their money. He was executed in 1932.
Wisconsin: Jeffrey Dahmer
- Born: May 21, 1960
- Active: 1978-1991
- Victims: 17 men and boys
- Crimes: Murder and dismemberment
- Fate: Killed in prison in 1994
Jeffrey Dahmer, one of the most notorious serial killers, murdered and dismembered 17 men and boys. He was killed in prison.
Wyoming: Dale Wayne Eaton
- Born: N/A
- Active: 1983-1997
- Victims: 9 women
- Crimes: Murder
- Fate: Serving life in prison
Dale Wayne Eaton, suspected in the “Great Basin Murders,” is serving a life sentence for the murder of a young woman.
Conclusion
The stories of these serial killers serve as a grim reminder of the darkness that can lurk in human nature. While many of these criminals have been brought to justice, their crimes continue to haunt the communities they terrorized. This article provides a state-by-state overview of some of the most infamous serial killers in U.S. history.
