Dubbed the “Lady Bluebeard,” Belle Gunness was a female serial killer whose tale has haunted American crime history. Described by historian Harold Schechter as “one of the most terrifying figures to emerge from the annals of American crime,” her body count, meticulous planning, and possible escape from justice make her story both fascinating and chilling. … Read more
On the night of September 1, 1986, four people were brutally murdered in Burgate House, a secluded mansion in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. The victims were: The murders were committed by George Francis Stephenson, a former employee of the Cleaver family. Stephenson had been sacked from his job three weeks before the murders, and he was … Read more
Elizabeth Báthory, often referred to as the “Blood Countess,” is a figure shrouded in both historical fact and chilling legend. Born into one of the most powerful families in Hungary in 1560, she later stood accused of a series of gruesome murders. With alleged victims numbering in the hundreds, her case is considered one of … Read more
In July of 1954, the tranquility of North London’s Hampstead district was shattered by a crime that seemed unthinkable—a mother-in-law accused of brutally killing her daughter-in-law. The perpetrator, Styllou Christofi, became an infamous figure, and her story garnered widespread media attention. The Background Styllou Christofi was born in Cyprus and later moved to the United … Read more
Peter William Sutcliffe (2 June 1946 – 13 November 2020), also known as Peter Coonan, was an English serial killer who was convicted of murdering thirteen women and attempting to murder seven more between 1975 and 1980. He was sentenced to twenty concurrent sentences of life imprisonment, which were converted to a whole life order … Read more
Vlad III, infamously known as Vlad the Impaler, was a 15th-century voivode, or prince, of Wallachia—a region now part of modern-day Romania. While his historical persona is laced with conflicting perspectives, ranging from a revered national hero to an abominable tyrant, one fact remains uncontested: his reign was drenched in blood and terror. Vlad’s brutal … Read more
Background and CrimesIn the late 1930s, Cleveland was shaken to its core by a series of gruesome murders, now known as the Cleveland Torso Murders. This killing spree was concentrated in the Kingsbury Run area, a shanty town inhabited by drifters and people living on the outskirts of society. While twelve victims were officially recorded, … Read more
Cesare Borgia, born in 1475, has carved his name into the annals of history as a cardinal, military leader, and political strategist during the Italian Renaissance. Known for his ruthless ambition and cunning tactics, he was a major inspiration for Niccolò Machiavelli’s seminal work, “The Prince.” Beyond the scholarly debate surrounding his tactics and personality, … Read more
Jacques Mesrine, a name synonymous with crime, fear, and intrigue, shocked France and Canada in the 1960s and 70s as one of the most notorious criminals of his time. Dubbed “The Man of a Hundred Faces” for his mastery of disguises, Mesrine’s story is a dark tapestry of robberies, kidnappings, and murders that gripped the … Read more
The Chilling Case that Shocked a NationThe conviction of Mary Bell in 1968 marked a watershed moment in British criminal history that continues to reverberate today. Just 11 years old at the time of her crimes, Mary killed two toddlers in her hometown of Newcastle upon Tyne. Her story served as a grim touchstone for … Read more