a criminal's mind

a collection of known serial killers, what they did, who their victims were, and their stories.

warning: may contain nudity and gorey images

The last of the victims of the criminal spree of the month was hiding in some bushes in Cliff Drive, Glendale. It was November 29. Her parents identified the body. It was Lauren Wagner, a student of eighteen who had not returned home the night...

The last of the victims of the criminal spree of the month was hiding in some bushes in Cliff Drive, Glendale. It was November 29. Her parents identified the body. It was Lauren Wagner, a student of eighteen who had not returned home the night before. Ten such killings in less than six weeks was a huge number even for the usual rate of Los Angeles, where several people are murdered every day. The Hillside Strangler filled television reports around the world. But the police took care not to let reality seep in. They were searching for two men, and the less the murderers knew of the investigation the better.

The Body of Jane King

The Body of Jane King

That same day another body was discovered, naked in the corner of the road that separates Glendale slopes of Eagle Rock. A missing persons report provided further identification: Kristina Weckter, a fine arts student in her twenties. She lived in an...

That same day another body was discovered, naked in the corner of the road that separates Glendale slopes of Eagle Rock. A missing persons report provided further identification: Kristina Weckter, a fine arts student in her twenties. She lived in an apartment in Glendale. The next victim appeared from the bushes on November 23, near the Golden State Freeway. It was the Scientology student, Jane King, 28, who went missing on November 9th.

Kathleen Robinson was different from the other victims because her body was found dressed. She laid on Pico and Ocean Boulevards. This occurred on November 17. She was 17. There was no doubt that she was a victim of the same murderers.
Jill Barcomb
After the interview, Buono urged Bianchi to go to Bellingham. Buono was tired of the immaturity, naivete and carelessness of his cousin. He finally tricked Bianchi into going by telling Bianchi that Boyd had left him and returned to...

Jill Barcomb

After the interview, Buono urged Bianchi to go to Bellingham. Buono was tired of the immaturity, naivete and carelessness of his cousin. He finally tricked Bianchi into going by telling Bianchi that Boyd had left him and returned to Bellingham.

On May 21, 1978, Bianchi drove to Bellingham. He found work as a security guard but soon became bored. What he wanted most in the world was to prove to his cousin that he had the consummate skill of a criminal. In early 1979, the urge to rape and murder became unbearable. Bianchi’s mind recalled an attractive student named Karen Mandic, who he had met while working in a shop.

In the last three weeks of November of 1977, Salerno was caught off guard. Seven moer bodies were found strangled, six of them naked. One of them was prostitute Jill Barcomb,18, who was found on November 10. 

Kelly Boyd, Bianchi’s wife

Kelly Boyd, Bianchi’s wife

After the last murder, Bianchi was routinely questioned twice by the police. The reign of terror imposed by the “Hillside Stranglers” in Los Angeles prompted many people to inform police about suspicious activities of their colleagues and...

After the last murder, Bianchi was routinely questioned twice by the police. The reign of terror imposed by the “Hillside Stranglers” in Los Angeles prompted many people to inform police about suspicious activities of their colleagues and acquaintances. There were parents who called the task force and expressed reservations about the boyfriends who were dating their daughters. One case was that of Wanda Kellison, mother Sheryl, one of the girls who had intercourse with Bianchi.

Wanda Kellison told police in February of 1978 that Bianchi had a very strange look, and only once was able to accept infamous $400 that he borrowed from the girl, as Bianchi had to buy a car. Ms. Kellison said bluntly before the detectives that Bianchi could well be the choker. Her daughter had told her that Bianchi spoke constantly of the case. Two junior detectives were sent to meet with Bianchi. They knew he had been previously investigated on two occasions. They did not know anything about Bianchi’s attempts to join the police force of Los Angeles. This would have allowed them to discreetly check his fingerprints before the meeting.

The last murder was not planned. On February 16, Bianchi came home from Buono’s. He found an orange Batsun parked outside. A girl named Cindy Lee Hudspeth was trying to commission Buono for protection for the vehicle. The two men assaulted the girl,...

The last murder was not planned. On February 16, Bianchi came home from Buono’s. He found an orange Batsun parked outside. A girl named Cindy Lee Hudspeth was trying to commission Buono for protection for the vehicle. The two men assaulted the girl, tied her wrists and ankles, and raped her. Then came the trottling. Finally they chose a steep area to crash the car. Cindy was in the trunk.

Catherine Lorre as a baby

Catherine Lorre as a baby

An unexpected survivor, Catherine Lorre was the 17-year-old daughter of Peter Lorre, the famous actor who had starred in the film M, the Vampire of Düsseldorf, based on the biography of the German serial murderer Peter Kürten. The Vampire of...

An unexpected survivor, Catherine Lorre was the 17-year-old daughter of Peter Lorre, the famous actor who had starred in the film M, the Vampire of Düsseldorf, based on the biography of the German serial murderer Peter Kürten. The Vampire of Düsseldorf was directed by Fritz Lang. Bianchi and Buono were pretending to be police showing their badges on a street in Hollywood. Catherine showed them her driver’s license and a photo of herself  in the lap of her father as a baby, accompanied by actor Humphrey Bogart.

Fearing that the death of the daughter of a famous actor would attract too much attention from the police, Bianchi and Buono left the girl as she was. Years later, Catherine unhestitatingly identified the two men during the trial.