Seven myths about serial killers, and what the record says

Where does the list of myths come from?

The list comes from the FBI. Its Behavioral Analysis Unit-2 planned a symposium on serial murder, held in San Antonio, Texas, in 2005. The report that grew out of it, published in 2008, lists seven “common myths and misconceptions regarding serial murder” and answers each one.^1,2,3,4

The report says the FBI “hosted a multi-disciplinary Symposium in San Antonio, Texas, on August 29, 2005 through September 2, 2005.”¹ “A total of 135 subject matter experts attended the five-day event,” it says.¹

The FBI’s announcement of the report began: “On television and the silver screen, serial killers are usually white males and dysfunctional loners who really want to get caught.”³ It said that, according to the new report, “serial killers are much different in real life.”³

Are serial killers all dysfunctional loners?

The first heading reads: “Myth: Serial killers are all dysfunctional loners.”¹ The report answers: “The majority of serial killers are not reclusive, social misfits who live alone.”¹ It adds: “Serial murderers often have families and homes, are gainfully employed, and appear to be normal members of the community.”¹

Wendy Lee Coffield, 16, was found dead in the Green River near Kent on July 15, 1982.^5,6 Gary Ridgway pleaded guilty to 48 counts of aggravated first-degree murder in 2003 and to a 49th murder in 2011.^5,6,7 The report lists him among its examples: he “was employed as a truck painter for thirty-two years.”¹

Are serial killers all white males?

The second heading reads: “Myth: Serial killers are all white males.”¹ The report answers: “Contrary to popular belief, serial killers span all racial groups.”¹ In the Radford/FGCU Serial Killer Database’s 2016 statistics, 90.8% of U.S. serial killers across all decades are male and 52.5% are white.⁴ The commonly cited profile, a white male in his mid to late twenties, fits 12.2%.⁴

Are serial killers only motivated by sex?

The third heading reads: “Myth: Serial killers are only motivated by sex.”¹ The report answers: “All serial murders are not sexually-based. There are many other motivations for serial murders including anger, thrill, financial gain, and attention seeking.”¹ In the Radford/FGCU database’s 2016 table of motives for U.S. serial killers, enjoyment (thrill, lust, power) accounts for 31.76%, financial gain for 30.14% and anger for 18.07%.⁴

Do all serial murderers travel and operate interstate?

The fourth heading reads: “Myth: All serial murderers travel and operate interstate.”¹ The report answers: “Most serial killers have very defined geographic areas of operation.”¹ It adds: “Very few serial murderers travel interstate to kill.”¹

Can serial killers stop killing?

Yes. The FBI report says: “There are, however, some serial killers who stop murdering altogether before being caught.” Janelle Cruz, 18, was killed in Irvine, California, on May 5, 1986. Joseph DeAngelo, who pleaded guilty to 13 murders in 2020, was identified in 2018, more than three decades after his last victim.^1,8,9,10

The fifth heading reads: “Myth: Serial killers cannot stop killing.”¹ The report answers: “There are, however, some serial killers who stop murdering altogether before being caught.”¹ It names what can inhibit them: “increased participation in family activities, sexual substitution, and other diversions.”¹

Dolores Davis was the last of ten people killed in and around Wichita, Kansas, from 1974 to 1991.^1,11,12 The report’s first example is Dennis Rader, who “murdered ten victims from 1974 to 1991” and “did not kill any other victims prior to being captured in 2005.”¹

Janelle Cruz, 18, was killed in her home in Irvine, California, on May 5, 1986.^8,9 Joseph DeAngelo pleaded guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder on June 29, 2020, and prosecutors list hers among the murders he admitted.^9,10 Genetic genealogy had identified him in 2018, more than three decades after his last victim.^9,10

Are all serial killers insane, or geniuses?

The sixth heading, paraphrased here, names the myth that all serial killers are insane or are geniuses.¹ The report restates it: “Another myth that exists is that serial killers have either a debilitating mental condition, or they are extremely clever and intelligent.”¹

On the first half, the report says: “Most, however, are not adjudicated as insane under the law.”¹ On the second: “Like other populations, however, serial killers range in intelligence from borderline to above average levels.”¹ The Radford/FGCU database’s September 2016 report gives a median IQ of 86.0 and an average of 94.5 for 271 serial killers.⁴

Do serial killers want to get caught?

The seventh heading reads: “Myth: Serial killers want to get caught.”¹ The report answers: “As serial killers continue to offend without being captured, they can become empowered, feeling they will never be identified.”¹ It ends: “It is not that serial killers want to get caught; they feel that they can’t get caught.”¹

Before sending a floppy disk, Dennis Rader asked police whether it would be traced to a particular computer.^12,13 The disk was traced to his church, and he was arrested on February 25, 2005.^12,13