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I love to kill people. I love to watch them die. I would shoot them in the head and they would wiggle and squirm all over the place, and then just stop. Or I would cut them with a knife and watch their faces turn real white. I love all that blood. - Richard Ramirez, the “Night Stalker” Is that not the hottest thing you’ve ever heard? Now, most people can probably detect the sarcasm in that question. However, as unbelievable as it seems, some women hear these kinds of statements, and think “Wow, I would really like to date this man.” It especially does not hurt when the man in question is conventionally attractive with an incredible jawline. Add to that equation a tragic past full of mysterious trauma, and some women become sympathetic. Regardless of how unusual their psychology seems, they are not alone. In the United States, countless women have fangirled and fallen in love with notorious serial killers and other dangerous criminals with many left wondering how and why this occurs. During the Ted Bundy trials it was noted that the majority of his victims shared similar features, such as their brown hair being parted down the middle and wearing hoop earrings. As the trials progressed, women from all over the country came to fill the courtroom, each dressed to impress and hopefully catch the dreamy killer’s eye, wearing their brown hair parted down the middle and hoop earrings. Richard Ramirez, also known as “The Night Stalker,” was so captivating to the women present at his trial that one of the jurors reportedly fell in love with him and began publicly defending him. This is in spite of the fact that he brutally raped and murdered at least fourteen people. Even Kenneth Bianchi, one half of “The Hillside Stranglers,” had an admirer so in love with him that she attempted a failed copycat murder in hopes of convincing police that they had imprisoned the wrong man. Bianchi’s lover was then incarcerated, where she began receiving her own fan mail. This serial groupie phenomenon is bizarre and disturbing, but not as uncommon as it might seem. The most common explanation is that the attraction to serial killers comes from a place of deep psychological disturbance. There are a few possible explanations as to why this could occur. The first is a history of trauma. Women who were abused by parents or by partners in previous relationships often seek out abusive relationships in the future, typically because that is what they find familiar. It’s also possible that women who engage in relationships with prisoners feel more secure in those relationships because they never actually come into full physical contact with their partners, giving the women a sense of control. One additional explanation for this unusual behavior is the savior complex, which occurs when serial killer fangirls reach out to the dangerous men because they believe that they can somehow heal them. This is where the “I can fix him” argument comes into play. People, especially women, who experience the savior complex feel that they are somehow the only ones who can understand these psychopaths, and therefore they are the only ones who can fix them. This likely has more to do with the woman’s need to feel important and valued, possibly something they lacked during childhood. The woman likely believes that if they can somehow change a psychopath for the better, becoming the most important person in his life, then everyone will be happy. These women are associated with a psychological condition known as “hybristophilia,” where someone is sexually attracted to people who have committed violent crimes such as rape and murder. While this condition may explain part of the phenomenon, its study is still in its infancy. Although it pains most people to admit it, an undeniable truth is that frankly, some serial killers are just plain charming. There is something captivating about these men and others like them. They are often charming, suave, smooth talkers, and good looking. They are smart, calculating, and manipulative. They’re psychopaths. They know exactly what to say, how to say it, and who to say it to in order to get what they want. The sad truth is that these women are vulnerable and looking for love, and serial killers know how to simulate emotion for personal and financial gain. What is most fascinating is how long these obsessions seem to last. Even after the men have been executed, there are memorials written about how much these killers were and still are loved. Even after a significant passing of time, nothing seems to snap these fangirls out of their trance. Despite how bizarre this behavior might seem, society should not judge these women harshly. Personal tragedies like trauma and abuse can cause poor judgment and odd behavior. One can hope that the time and research dedicated to this phenomenon will result in some actionable steps to help these women heal and begin to distance themselves from their high-risk romantic attachments. Until then, there will continue to be many dangerous men and women who desire them. References Estep, Richard. Serial Killers: The Minds, Methods, and Mayhem of History’s Notorious Murderers, 2021. Feldman, Paul. "'Enjoyed Killing People,' Ramirez Allegedly Said." Los Angeles Times, 9 May, 1986. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-09-me-3899-story.html. Shreesta, Amber, et al. "What Does She See in Him? Hybristophiles and Spree Killers." Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, vol. 38, no. 4, 2023, pp. 800-12. Author Bio:
Natalie Thurkettle is an early career researcher pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. Her research interests include reading and writing about psychology, the human condition, and true crime. Natalie aspires to one day publish a best-selling book of her own.
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