The thought of an individual doing something horrific once always weighs on one’s mind, but the thought of an individual doing something horrific multiple times and not being stopped creates terror and fear in the minds of the public. This is exemplified by serial killers, committing grotesque acts of murder repeatedly and not being caught or stopped. Why are there serial killers? How do they get away with murder for so long, or not even get caught? A serial killer is someone who commits a series of murders with or without motive, but typically by following a characteristic, or predictable behavior pattern. Three such serial killers are Anders Behring Breivik, the Zodiac killer, and Lizzie Borden. These three serial killers did what, to normal people, find extremely taboo, violent, and horrifying beyond belief.
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian born serial killer. He was born on the 13th of February 1979. On the 22nd of July, 2011 he killed 77 people in a bombing attack and assault on a summer camp for children. The building he bombed was a New Zealand government building, with some of the government officials’ children having been at the summer camp (Biography.com 1). For someone to not only to bomb a government building, but to then go and shoot up a summer camp for children is extremely scary. To think security and emergency responses are not as good as expected, this also creates even more disbelief and fright. There is a movie made about this event, it follows Breivik throughout the preparation of the attack, planning, and the carrying out of the attack. The reason he carried out the attack on the government is because of his own beliefs. During his trial, Breivik performed a Nazi salute, offending everyone in the courtroom and even the public who heard and saw it on the news. He is currently serving a 21-year sentence in a prison near the city of Skien (Profile 2). After committing these violent attacks, he had the audacity to perform a Nazi salute. This is extremely disrespectful, but proves how psycho he really was.
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The Zodiac killer was a pseudonym created by an American serial killer that is still unidentified to this day. In letters he wrote to the press, the Zodiac claims he murdered 37 people, however investigators believe he only had seven victims, two of which ended up surviving the attacks. (Zodiac Killer-Police Reports 3). This crazy serial murder spree is frightening to everyday people. To think a killer is unidentified and roaming about creates panic. The Zodiac was active between 1966 and 1969, his hunting grounds primarily in northern California. In letters to the press, the Zodiac would taunt the people of California, wanting his name and writing plastered all over the newspapers. The murders seem to have been completely random, although he claimed his motive to be that he was claiming slaves for the afterlife. (Zodiac Killer Biography.com 3). Random attacks mean a victim will not know if they fit a profile, or if they are a predicted target. This makes roaming the streets even more nerve racking. The case remains to be mysterious, however there is still hope that one day he could be found, and if still alive be prosecuted for his crimes.
Lizzie Borden was an American woman who was believed to have slaughtered her father and stepmother in the home they all shared. The murders of Andrew Borden and Abby Borden took place in Fall River, Massachusetts on August 4th 1892. (Lewis 1). The victims were her father and stepmother, bringing chills to uncover. This type of murder also creates unrest to parents, grandparents, and individuals planning to raise children. The scene was brutal, with Abby and Andrew having been hacked to death with an axe, Andrew’s wounds were primarily in his face and he was unrecognizable. Police found Lizzie Borden’s demeanor suspicious from the start of the investigation. After the investigation, Lizzie Borden was summoned to trial June 5th, 1893. Hatchets were found on the property and were believed to be the murder weapon used by Lizzie Borden, and although no bloody clothing was found, Lizzie Borden was witnessed burning a dress of hers (Linder 2). The cover up of the crime was thought out, but not executed very well. Most serial killers would cover up their tracks, but Lizzie did not do so very well, especially with burning clothes in the open. The trial concluded with Borden being acquitted and no one else being prosecuted for the murders. To this day there are many theories that Borden did commit the murders and why she might have, however Borden lived out her life peacefully, remaining in the same town of Fall River and passed away in 1927.
Serial killers might always be about to prowl, but the unknown is where they are, what they are doing, or who their next victim will be. The amount of pride left in some of them after being caught and convicted is gut wrenching, especially after putting that on top of all they have done. These insane individuals have committed acts that most would be unable to imagine. The thought of these grotesque crimes being executed in your neighborhood is scary to think about, but surprisingly more common than you think. The way these horrendous individuals are caught could take months, years, or in some cases never, all while living near you. Your neighbor, friend, coworker, or even child could be the next Anders Behring Breivik, Zodiac killer, or Lizzie Borden.
Works Cited
- “Anders Behring Breivik.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 2 Apr. 2014, www.biography.com/people/anders-behring-breivik-20617893.
- Lewis, Jone Johnson. “Did Lizzie Borden Give Her Mother 40 Whacks?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 9 Apr. 2018, www.thoughtco.com/lizzie-borden-biography-3528719.
- Linder, Doug. The Lizzie Borden Trial or The Lizzie Borden Case, law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lizzieborden/bordenhome.html.
- “Profile: Anders Behring Breivik.” BBC News, BBC, 12 Apr. 2012, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-14259989.
- “Zodiac Killer | Zodiac Killer Ciphers | Zodiac Killer Letters | Zodiac Killer Podcast | Zodiac Killer Police Reports | Arthur Leigh Allen | Arthur Lee Allen.” Zodiac Killer | Zodiac Killer Ciphers | Zodiac Killer Letters | Zodiac Killer Podcast | Zodiac Killer Police Reports | Arthur Leigh Allen | Arthur Lee Allen, zodiackiller.com/.
- “Zodiac Killer.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 15 Jan. 2019, www.biography.com/people/zodiac-killer-236027.
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