The Most Famous Criminals!

Of course one of the most famous killers of all time, Ted Bundy, makes the list! This serial killer, active between 1974 and 1978 is best known for his undeniable charm, good looks, and sadistic killings! Bundy not only murdered dozens of women before his death in the Florida State Prison in 1989, but he also went on to escape from custody during a court trial, taling his way out of detainment! Bundy admitted while in prison that he killed over 25 young girls.

Bundy was so popular, countless movies and shows have been made outlining the 70's most terrifying killer, including the 2019 film starring Zac Efron, Shockingly Evil, Incredibly Wicked and Vile. Bundy to this day is almost romanticized for his intelligence, and received love letters on the daily while in prison.

John Wayne Gacy is known as the "Killer Clown", and was an active serial killer between 1972 and 1980. Gacy murdered and assaulted over 30 victims, and would hide behind his alter-egos, "Pogo" or "Patches the Clown". He would often attend children's charity events as such and would look for his victims that way.

Gacy was also a manager at three KFC locations and would hire teenage boys and lure them into his home. Eventually, in 1980, Gacy was arrested and put on death row. In 1994, Gacy was sentenced to death by lethal injection. What did he order for his last meal? A bucket of KFC, fries, a diet Coke, and fresh strawberries.

Pablo Escobar is undoubtedly the most well-known gangster of the 20th century! Running a drug cartel for almost 3 decades, Escobar was worth around $25 billion dollars at the time of his death in 1993. His $63 million dollar estate features a soccer arena, a zoo, multiple man-made lakes, a small airport, and multiple different sports courts. 

He was sometimes compared to "Robin Hood" for his incredible acts of charity in the Columbia region, aiding the poor in proper housing and food sources. However, this charitable nature was often overshadowed by his ruthlessness and was well known for getting what he wanted with the use of force. It is often rumoured his victims were never found because their bodies were used as feed for his many animals. This larger-than-life persona has been adapted in film, books, and countless pop culture references throughout the past decades.

Aileen Wuornos's story is tragic. From a young age, Aileen was subjected to countless forms of abuse and was neglected by her family. Being homeless at the tender age of 13, Aileen had no choice but to become a sex worker, and committed petty crimes to get by. It wasn't until 1989, however, that Aileen took it up a notch and committed her first murder. She says it was self-defence, but we'll never really know. 

In the year following her first murder, Aileen went on to murder 6 more men, before she was ultimately caught, making her the first known female serial killer. The movie adaptation of her story, Monster, gave an insight into the troubles of Aileen. She was killed in a Florida state prison in 2002.

Of course, the 1960's historical moment of Charles Manson ordering his cult followers to murder Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski is something that everyone knows - even if you're not into old Hollywood or criminal history. Charles Manson is one of the most intelligent criminals, leading a huge group of young adults and teenagers into a cult in which he was able to manipulate people into killing. 

Sharon Tate was 8 months pregnant at the time of her murder, and the extremely grotesque and violent end of six others at a dinner party was undeniably tragic. Manson has been a source of inspiration for countless movies, books, and more following the shocking event.

There are few serial killers that are as terrifying as Richard Ramirez. While every killer will give you the creeps, Ramirez stands out for his extremely violent demeanour. What's worse, Ramirez didn't seem to have a rhyme or reason for his killings, unlike most serial killers. Whether you were old or young, man or woman, Ramirez just went in for the kill regardless. 

Dubbed "The Night Stalker", Ramirez terrorized Los Angeles for a year before he was eventually caught. Claiming he was just doing "the devil's work" Ramirez killed over 20 people, and it's unclear how many more he assaulted as well. His ties with satanism struck fear in even agnostics, but that didn't stop a crowd attacking him and beating him until police arrived to arrest him in 1985.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are American icons! The couple were active during the 1930s when America was going through one of the worst depressions they've ever seen. The couple would use lethal force to rob banks, and during their most active time killed 9 police officers and at least 5 civilians.

The couple went on to be some of the notorious robbers in history, and have been glamorized in Hollywood as a romantic couple caught in the throes of poverty and despair, although historians believe they were just taking advantage of a suffering economy. 

One of the last famous prisoners to be stuck in the world-renowned person, Alcatraz, Al Capone was one gangster you wouldn't want to cross paths with! He attained his notoriety during the prohibition era in the United States and quickly became a staple in Chicago's alcohol production. 

Capone wasn't afraid of a street shoot-out and was ruthless with anyone who crossed his path. Capone is another famous criminal that has been glamourized in the media, featured in a slew of movies, TV series, and novels.

If you're squeamish, I'd scroll on to the next criminal! Jeffrey Dahmer is noted as being one of the most disturbing serial killers of all time. Dahmer inspired some of the creepiest horror films due to how he utilized his victim's bodies once they were murdered. Between 1974 and 1991, Dahmer murdered around 20 men. He would lure them into his home before drugging them and strangling them to death. 

His home apparently wreaked, which is why when one victim who managed to escape ran to the street calling a local officer to come help, the officer decided to call back-up and further investigate his apartment. Dahmer would keep souvenirs from his victims and took polaroids, as well using their skulls, genitals, and skin to make various things around the house, most famously human skin as a lampshade. When police infiltrated his home in 1991, they found multiple severed heads in the fridge. 

John Gotti was a famous gangster affiliated with the Gambino family, a large group of Italian immigrants that created an organized crime sector in New York City. Gotti was a murderer, drug trafficker and robber, but was somehow still known as "Dapper Don", which infuriated local law enforcement.

He was a great charmer, and helped out families in Queens and Brooklyn where he could - with a price of course! He was arrested in 1974 for murder, however was so charismatic he was able to convince guards to give him special privileges and was released early. Gotti's living family created a reality TV series, Growing Up Gotti, which featured his daughter and her three sons.