List of serial killers in the United States

Behind the chilling headlines and true-crime obsessions lies a grim reality: The United States has one of the highest rates of serial killer activity in the world. These predators, often hiding in plain sight, exploited societal blind spots and forensic limitations to prey on the vulnerable for years—sometimes decades. This list compiles the most notorious offenders by their confirmed victim counts, from household names like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy to lesser-known killers whose crimes shocked communities. As you read, remember the lives lost and the systemic failures that allowed terror to persist—a stark reminder of why their stories must never fade into obscurity.