The Famous Serial Killers

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Serial Killers. They could be your next door neighbor, your best friend, wife or husband, coworker, even boss. They could even be the person you would never suspect. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Serial killers carry out the most insidious plans to hurt society. There are several notorious serial killers in our history, such as Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy. There is a list of several others and one of them goes by the name H.H. Holmes (Herman Webster Mudgett). Before he became H.H. Holmes, before he was in all the newspapers and books, known to all as one of the most evil men alive, and first man documented as a serial killer, he was a normal boy, innocent with a normal family. His name was Herman Webster Mudgett born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire to father Levi Horton Mudgett and Theodate Page Price, both devout Methodists. Since birth, he was always a very intelligent child, but unfortunately very small. He was bullied constantly. “He describes a turning point in his life as the day some older boys forced him into a village doctor's office and come face-to-face with a skeleton…. Holmes says, though he admits that the experience cured him of his fears. He attributes his desire to go into medicine to this memorable incident.” (Ramsland, N.D.) In later years, he went to The University of Michigan Medicine School. There his criminal career began. He was exposed to an underground business of buying bodies for the school, even if the person was murdered. Holmes thought this would be a good opportunity to pay his school tuition and gain some extra money. Throughout his time at the school, he never got caught. He even earned his doctor’s degree. After school, he continued with frauds and forgery crimes usi... ... middle of paper ... ...ple. No one could know for sure. After death, cement was poured over his body and then buried so no one could ever steal his corpse. People believed he was Satan himself. Mysterious things kept happening after his death. A recreation of Holmes’ Murder Castle burned down before its opening. People started to disappear. Even the district attorney’s office caught fire, destroying everything but a photograph of Holmes. Even in death he was never forgotten. Serial killers can be anyone, the most unusual suspects. Holmes was a charmer, who sweet talked his way into people’s lives. Unfortunately, his victims couldn’t see through his innocent act until it was too late. To this day, people continue to be fascinated by him. There are several books and documentaries about him. Holmes like many other serial killers, has forever left his mark on our society and our history.

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