Dark Star Alignments: The Killings Begin In the late 1980s, California was gripped by a series of murders that seemed to be linked by a peculiar pattern: all victims were killed under astrological alignments that their killer believed to be significant. Dubbed the “Astrological Murders,” the case captivated and horrified the public and stymied investigators. … Read more
Unimaginable Horror: The Crime Scene On February 18, 1983, in Seattle’s International District, the Wah Mee gambling club became the stage for one of the deadliest mass shootings in Washington state’s history. Thirteen people were killed and one seriously injured in an armed robbery turned massacre. The crime shocked the community and prompted an immediate … Read more
The Web of Enriqueta Martí Enriqueta Martí, known as the “Vampire of Barcelona,” was a notorious figure in early 20th-century Spain. Accused of kidnapping, child trafficking, and witchcraft, Martí’s case exposed the grim underbelly of Barcelona. Although referred to as a “witch,” her crimes were less about the practice of witchcraft and more a sinister … Read more
A Mysterious Background Joseph Briggen is a name steeped in both mystery and infamy, primarily due to the absence of definitive historical evidence. Most commonly known from the American short story “The Horror of the Heights,” penned by Ambrose Bierce, Briggen’s life as a California pig farmer in the late 19th century remains the subject … Read more
Early Life and Formation of the Cult Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo was born in Miami, Florida, in 1962 and exhibited an interest in spiritualism from an early age. His mother was a devotee of the Afro-Caribbean religion Palo Mayombe, which involves animal sacrifice and rituals. Drawing on this background, Constanzo eventually formed his own cult, … Read more
Edmund Kemper’s name is synonymous with some of the most shocking and gruesome murders in American history. With a height of 6’9″ and a chilling calmness when describing his crimes, Kemper leaves an indelible mark on criminal history. This expanded article delves deeper into the grim details, news quotes, and timelines that sketch a fuller … Read more
Takahiro Shiraishi, a 30-year-old Japanese man, was sentenced to death in December 2020 for the murders of nine people. The victims were all young women, mostly in their teens and twenties, who had expressed suicidal thoughts on social media. Shiraishi lured them to his apartment in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, under the pretense of helping them … Read more
Birth and Early Years: A Hazy Beginning Born as Herman Webster Mudgett in 1861 in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, Holmes’ upbringing was reportedly abusive, filled with strict religious indoctrination. “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson dives deep into this troubled childhood, suggesting that this early phase might have served as a ‘criminal incubator.’ … Read more
Early Life: The Making of a Warrior Gilles de Rais was born into the House of Montmorency-Laval, one of the oldest and most distinguished families in Brittany. His father, Guy de Laval, was known for his martial prowess, which Gilles inherited. French historian Georges Bordonove described his upbringing as “soaked in military tradition, but also … Read more
When the name Nannie Doss appears, it’s often with eerie epithets like “The Giggling Granny” or “The Black Widow.” Her story horrified America in the 1950s. Convicted for killing four of her husbands but suspected of murdering 11 family members, she was a paradox— a cheerful, church-going woman with a sinister side. A 1954 report … Read more