The United States has been identified as having a disproportionately high number of serial killers, accounting for two-thirds of all documented cases worldwide. This means that the U.S. produces three times as many serial killers relative to its population compared to any other country. The states with the highest number of serial killings, following California, are Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York. Every state in the U.S. has documented at least ten cases of serial killings.
California, with the highest population in the U.S., has been the site of 1,777 serial killings. The state’s history, marked by poverty and persecution of migrant and indigenous communities, has made it a breeding ground for serial killers. Notable cases include the “Night Stalker” Richard Ramirez, the “Golden State Killer” Joseph James DeAngelo, and the “Zodiac Killer,” who terrorized the state in the 1970s and 1980s.
In Texas, which has endured 984 serial killings, notorious cases include Dean Corll, the “Candy Man,” Angel Maturino Reséndiz, and Charles Albright, the “Eyeball Killer.” Florida has endured 933 serial killings, with infamous cases including Ted Bundy, Aileen Wuornos, and Danny Rolling, the Gainesville Ripper. In Illinois, the “Killer Clown” John Wayne Gacy and H.H. Holmes are among the most infamous serial killers, with the state enduring 680 serial killings. New York has endured 677 serial killings, including cases involving David Berkowitz, Joel Rifkin, and Kendall Francois.
Ohio has witnessed 505 serial killings, with cases involving Anthony Sowell, known as the “Cleveland Strangler,” and Donald Harvey, the “Angel of Death.” Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia have also been affected by a significant number of serial killings. According to the data, Washington has endured 396 serial killings, and Ohio has witnessed 505 serial killings.
The Radford/FGCU 2020 Report provides an in-depth analysis of serial killer statistics in the United States, offering valuable insights into the prevalence and patterns of serial killings across different states. This comprehensive report sheds light on the disturbing reality of serial killers in the U.S. and emphasizes the importance of strengthening social systems to protect vulnerable populations.