The Zebra Killers actually liked to call themselves Death Angels and, as far as we know, their crimes were racially-motivated.īetween 19, they killed at least 15 people and were implicated for 8 others – but the authorities believe that the body count could have been as high as 73. The reign of terror caused by a group of African-American murderers, known as the Zebra Killers, started in the early 1970s. The Unabomber was finally apprehended on April 3, 1996, and is currently serving a life sentence in prison. High Scrutton, a 38-year-old computer store owner, was the first bombing victim who actually died of his injuries.
His handmade explosives got more and more lethal as time went on. His first attack was aimed at Buckley Christ, an engineering professor at Northwestern, but ended up injuring officer Terry Marker. He also decided to start an anti-technology revolution – by mailing bombs to people involved in advancing modern technology. When a UC Berkeley professor named Ted Kaczynski came to the realization that modern technology was not for him, he didn’t just move to a recluse cabin in Montana to live like a caveman. This development prompted the police to reexamine other cold cases on this serial killer list. So far, the suspect, named Joseph James DeAngelo, a 72-year-old United States Navy veteran and former police officer, has been charged with eight counts of first-degree murder. His case seemed as unsolvable as the others on this list, but a possible suspect was finally discovered in 2018. If the women weren’t home alone, the Golden State Killer would lead them into another room to rape them while their husbands or boyfriends remained face-down on the floor, bound by shoelaces and completely helpless. He then proceeded to brutally rape them before killing them. He usually tied up his victims with items found around their house. The Golden State Killer is the nickname of the San Francisco serial killer responsible for more than 13 murders, 50 rapes, and over a 100 burglaries total. When the police found the body of 23-year-old Theresa Walsh, they were able to determine that she had been hogtied with clothesline rope, sexually assaulted and finally strangled to death.Īs is the case for many killers on this list, his identity has not been discovered. One of his last murders was also one of the most horrific. The killer continued his murders of young girls for about a year. The cause of death could not be determined. Their naked bodies were found almost a year later, in December of 1972. His first victims were two 12-year-old girls who disappeared on February 4, 1972. The serial killer responsible for the Santa Rosa Hitchhiker murders is credited with at least seven unsolved homicides involving female hitchhikers in the San Francisco area. However, in February of 2019, the authorities released more evidence (a new police sketch and an audio recording) to the public in hopes of finally moving the cold case forward. The identity of The Doodler was also never discovered. It is believed that they met at a gay club where The Doodler liked to pick up his victims. He died of stab wounds to his front and back – a gruesome and painful death for sure.Īnother one of his victims, Joseph “Jay” Stevens, a “female impersonator,” died of similar wounds shortly after. His first victim, Geral Cavanaugh, was found lying face-up at Ocean Beach, San Francisco. He liked to sketch his victims before the slayings, hence his nickname “The Doodler.” The Doodler is believed to have been responsible for no less than 14 deaths in the gay community of San Francisco.
While there have been many speculations about his identity, the Zodiac Killer has managed to evade the authorities to this day. He attacked two more right after this, successfully killing 2 out of 4 of his targets. It turned out that killing couples was Zodiac’s thing.
His first victims were a young teenage couple who had decided to use “Senior Ditch Day” to go sunbathing. The Zodiac Killer was clearly trying to build a reputation for himself – which makes him one of the creepiest criminals on this list (as if his suspected body count of 37 did not accomplish that already). He demanded that his letters be printed on the front page of Bay Area newspapers… Or he would kill again. “I like killing people because it’s so much fun,” read one of the letters.
His deeds have been compared to those of the notorious Jack the Ripper himself – and for good reason.ĭid you know that he gave himself the name Zodiac in a series of letters he sent to the press back in the 70s? The Zodiac Killer is the pseudonym of a serial killer who operated in the San Francisco area in the 1970s. 7 Most Notorious Serial Killers in San Franciscoħ Most Notorious Serial Killers in San Francisco 1.