The phenomenon of family killers has long fascinated and horrified society. These individuals, often lurking in plain sight, bring destruction and chaos to their own families, leaving behind a trail of devastation and unanswered questions.
From brutal murders to twisted motivations, the stories of infamous family killers are a chilling reminder of the darkness that can exist within human nature. In this list, we will delve into the shocking and mind-blowing facts about 30 infamous family killers.
1. The Case of Robert Fisher
Robert Fisher, an American fugitive, is suspected of killing his family in 2001. What's astonishing is that he disappeared, leaving behind a trail of blood and a baffling mystery that remains unsolved to this day, with investigators still searching for clues.
2. The Twisted Mind of John List
John List, an American mass murderer, killed his mother, father, and three siblings in 1971. The shocking aspect of this case is that List lived a double life, attending church and participating in community activities while hiding his dark secret, which wasn't discovered until 18 years later.
3. The Watts Family Murders
Chris Watts, an American oil worker, murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters in 2018. The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Watts initially lied to the police, claiming his family was missing, and even appeared on TV, pleading for their safe return, all while knowing their fate.
4. The BTK Killer's Family
Dennis Rader, known as the BTK Killer, murdered 10 people between 1974 and 1991. The astonishing fact is that Rader's family, including his wife and children, had no idea about his dark alter ego, and he was able to maintain a normal family life, even serving as a church leader.
5. The Case of Scott Peterson
Scott Peterson, an American convicted murderer, killed his pregnant wife, Laci, in 2002. The shocking aspect of this case is that Peterson initially denied any involvement in Laci's disappearance, even attending a candlelight vigil for her, while secretly knowing her fate.
6. The Family Annihilator
Robert Bryant, an American mass murderer, killed his wife and three children in 1980. The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Bryant's motivations were rooted in a twisted desire to spare his family from the supposed hardships of life, which he believed were a result of his own failures.
7. The Murders of the DeFeo Family
Ronald DeFeo Jr., an American mass murderer, killed six members of his family in 1974. The astonishing fact about this case is that DeFeo's actions were later cited as an inspiration by the Lutz family, who claimed their home, where the murders took place, was haunted, sparking the famous Amityville Horror legend.
8. The Case of Joel Steinberg
Joel Steinberg, an American convicted murderer, killed his six-year-old adoptive daughter in 1987. The shocking aspect of this case is that Steinberg's live-in partner, Hedda Nussbaum, allowed the abuse to occur, even participating in it, and later became a key witness in Steinberg's trial.
9. The Tragic Fate of the Richardson Family
Jason Richardson, an American mass murderer, killed his wife and three children in 2003. The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Richardson's motivations were rooted in a desire to avoid financial difficulties and the pressures of being a provider, which he believed were insurmountable.
10. The Dark Secret of the Kemper Family
Ed Kemper, an American serial killer, murdered his grandparents, mother, and several other women. The astonishing fact about this case is that Kemper's mother, Clarnell, was a manipulative and emotionally abusive parent, whose actions may have contributed to Ed's twisted development and subsequent crimes.
11. The Case of Timothy Hennis
Timothy Hennis, an American convicted murderer, killed a mother and two of her three daughters in 1985 and later killed his own wife in 2004. The shocking aspect of this case is that Hennis's first crimes went unsolved for years, and he was only caught after DNA evidence linked him to the scene.
12. The Murders of the Hart Family
Jennifer Hart, an American woman, killed herself and five of her six adopted children in 2018, by intentionally driving off a cliff.
The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Jennifer and her wife, Sarah, had a history of abusing their children, and the tragedy was likely a desperate attempt to avoid being caught.
13. The Family Slaughter
William Heirens, an American serial killer, committed a series of gruesome murders, including the killing of a family, between 1945 and 1946.
The astonishing fact about this case is that Heirens's crimes were largely the result of a traumatic childhood, marked by physical and emotional abuse, which may have contributed to his later actions.
14. The Disappearance of the Sodder Children
The Sodder family's five children disappeared on Christmas Eve in 1945, and despite numerous investigations, their fate remains unknown.
The shocking aspect of this case is that a lone eyewitness reported seeing a stranger lurking around the Sodder home on the night of the disappearance, but the identity of this individual was never confirmed.
15. The Case of Darren Deon Vann
Darren Deon Vann, an American serial killer, murdered seven women, mostly sex workers, between 2014 and 2015.
The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Vann's killing spree went unnoticed for months, and he was only caught after a woman he had abducted managed to escape and alert the authorities, leading to his arrest and subsequent confession.
16. The Case of Jeffrey MacDonald
Jeffrey MacDonald, an American convicted murderer, killed his pregnant wife and two daughters in 1970. The astonishing fact about this case is that MacDonald, a doctor and a Green Beret, claimed that a group of hippies had committed the murders, but was later found guilty based on DNA evidence and the testimony of a key witness.
17. The Twisted Mind of Diane Downs
Diane Downs, an American woman, shot her three children in 1983, killing one and injuring the other two. The shocking aspect of this case is that Downs claimed a stranger had committed the crime, but was later caught after her daughter, who had been shot in the spine, identified her as the shooter.
18. The Murders of the Coleman Family
Christopher Coleman, an American convicted murderer, killed his wife and two sons in 2009. The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Coleman, a former pastor, had been having an affair and used his position to manipulate others into helping him cover up the crime.
19. The Case of Andrea Yates
Andrea Yates, an American woman, drowned her five children in the bathtub in 2001. The astonishing fact about this case is that Yates, who had a history of mental illness, was found not guilty by reason of insanity, but was later retried and sentenced to life in prison after new evidence emerged.
20. The Family Annihilator of Thailand
Seksan Puttasri, a Thai man, killed his wife and three children in 2018. The shocking aspect of this case is that Puttasri, who had a history of domestic violence, live-streamed the murders on social media, and was later caught and sentenced to death.
21. The Murders of the Rhoden Family
The Rhoden family, eight members of which were killed in 2016, were victims of a brutal and senseless crime.
The mind-blowing fact about this case is that the killers, who were later found to be the family's own relatives, had planned and executed the murders over several hours, using multiple guns and silencers.
22. The Case of Justin Barber
Justin Barber, an American convicted murderer, killed his wife in 2002. The astonishing fact about this case is that Barber, who had a history of infidelity, claimed that his wife had been killed by an intruder, but was later caught after evidence revealed that he had planned and executed the crime.
23. The Twisted Mind of Casey Anthony
Casey Anthony, an American woman, was accused of killing her two-year-old daughter in 2008. The shocking aspect of this case is that Anthony, who had a history of lying and manipulating others, was found not guilty of the murder, but was later found guilty of providing false information to law enforcement.
24. The Murders of the Anderson Family
The Anderson family, four members of which were killed in 2007, were victims of a brutal and senseless crime.
The mind-blowing fact about this case is that the killer, who was later found to be a family friend, had planned and executed the murders over several hours, using a variety of methods to ensure the victims' deaths.
25. The Case of David Brom
David Brom, an American convicted murderer, killed his family in 1988. The astonishing fact about this case is that Brom, who had a history of mental illness, claimed that he had been possessed by the devil, and that the murders were a result of a demonic influence.
26. The Family Slaughter of the Dunns
The Dunn family, three members of which were killed in 2014, were victims of a brutal and senseless crime. The shocking aspect of this case is that the killer, who was later found to be the family's own son, had planned and executed the murders over several hours, using a combination of guns and knives.
27. The Murders of the Huffman Family
The Huffman family, four members of which were killed in 2015, were victims of a brutal and senseless crime.
The mind-blowing fact about this case is that the killer, who was later found to be a family friend, had planned and executed the murders over several hours, using a variety of methods to ensure the victims' deaths.
28. The Case of Cynthiauda Powell
Cynthiauda Powell, an American woman, killed her two children in 2013. The astonishing fact about this case is that Powell, who had a history of mental illness, claimed that she had been driven to madness by the voices in her head and that the murders were a desperate attempt to silence them.
29. The Twisted Mind of Jeremy Bryan Jones
Jeremy Bryan Jones, an American serial killer, murdered several people, including a family of three, between 2002 and 2004. The shocking aspect of this case is that Jones, who had a history of violence, used his charm and good looks to lure his victims into a false sense of security, before killing them.
30. The Family Annihilator of Japan
Takashi Yamaguchi, a Japanese man, killed his wife and two children in 2017. The mind-blowing fact about this case is that Yamaguchi, who had a history of domestic violence, had planned and executed the murders over several hours, using a combination of poison and violence to ensure the victims' deaths.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.