Not a serial killer. Mass murderer.
He gets my vote.
Missed edit window.
Jim Jones. The incident took place in Guyana in 1978.
Thank you. Some people seem to be ignoring the word “serial” (and nominating “parallel killers”).
Yes, serial killer, mass murderer and spree killer are all distinctly different things.
Shipman is the most prolific as a killer, but I’d say Russel Williams was the more respected of the two. He was commander of Canada’s largest military base and slated (until he was caught) for the very top military commands; he hob-nobbed, literally, with royalty.
Everything Holmes had was a result of crime. When he bought the drugstore across the street from his future castle, he murdered the former owner so he wouldn’t have to pay her. In the building of the castle, he did not pay contractors, construction workers, and suppliers. He murdered guests at his hotel for their money, and murdered his lovers for theirs. He was not a successful businessman. His apparent wealth was a house of cards built on a foundation of embezzlement, theft, and death.
Glad somebody corrected/questioned that, did Hitler, Mao or indeed Stalin ever actually personally kill anyone? One of the most unpleasant individuals in history Adolf Eichmann who pushed for and facilitated mass murder in Eastern Europe was reportedly physically sick and shaken when he visited the scene of a mass shooting. Didn’t stop him from pursuing his policies leading to those shootings though…
And on the topic, although I can’t find his name there was a recent serial killer who was caught when he had been accepted for and was in training with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which I always found kind of ironic in a chilling sort of way.
Stalin had an earlier career as a bank robber. I don’t think he ever personally killed, though.
I agree - Holmes would have been a scumbag grifter, even if he wasn’t a serial killer.
What the OP is looking for, I think, is someone who is a real “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” type - who, if it were not for the serial killing thing, would be a highly successful, respected member of the community.
To my mind, to date of the modern candidates (that is, excluding historucal figures) who are proven serial killers, I think Canada’s own Russel Williams is the best example.
Georgia Tann
http://www.examiner.com/article/georgia-tann-adoption-architect-child-advocate-and-baby-killer
They don’t tell a lot about her killing babies, but I saw her mentioned in a TV show where she would leave babies outside in the sun to die.
I couldn’t open the article for some reason, so I googled this person - what a nasty story. Pretty thoroughly evil.
The articles I read suggested she was totally uncaring of the infants she stole and sold, and that many died of neglect. Is there evidence some were deliberately killed? And if so, why? From what I understand, to her they were merchandise.
Maybe not too wealthy and respected, but you’ve got to give Charles Cullen credit for quantity!
From what I’ve read if the baby wasn’t sold quickly or wasn’t what anybody wanted (s)he became a liability and Tann would have somebody take the baby out in the sun to die.
From what I’ve read if the baby wasn’t sold quickly or wasn’t what anybody wanted (s)he became a liability and Tann would have somebody take the baby out in the sun to die.
http://www.examiner.com/article/georgia-tann-adoption-architect-child-advocate-and-baby-killer
This should work
So, basically, unsalable merchandise. :eek:
It isn’t the type of motivation one traditionally thinks of for serial killers, but I guess that would qualify. In fact, such callousness strikes me as almost worse in a way than sadistic sex murderers who are the more usual serial killers.
She appears to have been well-connected, being buds with politicians and judges.
So, a contender. Though I still think Russel Williams is the more prominent in terms of respect.
The only time the Canadian Armed Forces have burned all kit issued to an individual.
Heh, I did not know that. They actually held a cleansing by fire? :eek:
Recently came across this one and thought it might be relevant (well if you consider being a police officer as a respectable occupation):
Its certainly an odd one.
The Congo is in Africa.
Guyana is in South America.