Most intriguing unsolved non-JtR serial killer cases

[sdreid]

Newton's The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers lists the Ratcliffe Highway Murders from 1811, which are technically unsolved, but since they occurred in a 12 day period I would call them spree killings rather than a serial.

Maybe spree mass murders would be even more correct.

[sdreid]

Newton's The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers lists the Ratcliffe Highway Murders from 1811, which are technically unsolved, but since they occurred in a 12 day period I would call them spree killings rather than a serial.

[sdreid]

The Servant Girl Annilahtor of Austin,Texas,who killed several domestic servants in the 1880s or 90s and was never caught.

This is the oldest true serial killer case that is completely unsolved I can think of. Can anyone think of an older one?

[sdreid]

The Interstate 45 Murders have always intrigued me.

As per another thread, there's supposed to be a movie in the works on this one. We'll have to wait and see.

[sdreid]

Strangely, unsolved serial murders were almost nonexistent in the 1950s.

There were some who may have finished up or started in the 50s like Cleveland Torso who may have committed his final murder in 1950 of Jack the Stripper who could have began with a slaying in 1959. Both these examples are highly speculative.

[sdreid]

#10 would be the Alphabet Murders

AKA The Double Initial Killer although you might say Triple Letter Slayer if you include the dump locations.

[sdreid]

Regarding the 1950s, I should note that some tie the Grimes Sisters murders and the Judith Anderson slaying together as the Chicago Child Killings or the Matinée Murders in 1956-57. Personally, I doubt that they are connected.

[sdreid]

Strangely, unsolved serial murders were almost nonexistent in the 1950s. In fact, the Atteridgeville Mutilator, who killed six in South Africa during 1956, is about it.

[sdreid]

The Servant Girl Annilahtor of Austin,Texas,who killed several domestic servants in the 1880s or 90s and was never caught.

According to my records, there were eight murders in 1884-85.

[sdreid]

I was thinking that MoF was mentioned but maybe that was another thread. Some people think it's solved so I don't know if that's the issue.

[Vess]

Zodiac is certainly the top choice, although I am biased by years of interest in his case...

But my second one is Italy's foremost and grittiest mystery - the Monster of Florence. I have to say I'm surprised it has not been mentioned yet... although, admittedly, I used to be interested in it for years, and then, sadly, fell for the nonsensical propaganda which the corrupt "investigators" tried to sell to the public for 2001. For a few years I haven't even looked at the case, and only regained interest in it after learning of Douglas Preston's and Mario Spezi's recent book and reading of their investigation that essentially identified the top suspect...

[sdreid]

In several respects, this guy reminds me of Dean Corll.

[Frank]

I don't think that he kept them alive for several weeks. The German text is a little bit unclear.

Ca. einen Monat spaeter wurde Stefan getoetet und gefesselt in den Duenen vergraben aufgefunden.

This could be read as: he was killed one month later and then found dead and tied up buried in the dunes, or it could be read as: one month later he was found killed und tied up buried in the dunes. I think the second one is the correct one.

[Fisherman]

Having read the German text, I think it should be added that the two first victims - the boys found buried in the sand dunes - were actually killed shortly before they were found. This would mean that the perpetrator kept them alive for 4 and 2 weeks, respectively, before ending their lives.
Chilling stuff.

The best,
Fisherman

[Frank]

Maybe the cases are not linked by hard evidence yet, e.g. dna samples. As far as I know it is mainly the modus operand which links them.
Another reason could be that special task forces from three different countries are involved, although they are working close together.

The source I cited (actually I just tried to translate the important points) also mentions an arrest in the Dutch case but that was in January 2007 and nothing more is told whether they could prove his guilt. But since even the website of the police of Lower Saxony still mention the case of Nicky V, I think they could not.
I would be surprised if there were two murderers with this very special modus operandi.
Maybe I should mention that the causes of death of Nicky V. are not definitely known, but police assume a capital crime.