Why are we so obsessed with serial killers? Why is it that these sick murderers always catch the attention of the public? Perhaps it's because they all seem to have an interest in talking about their crimes? Many famous serial killers and murderers sent some super creepy letters to their family, victims, and "fans," both from prison and before their arrests. These insane, crazy, and definitely creepy letters from killers will have you checking over your shoulder, and maybe a little weary of opening the mail.
Famous unknown killers like the Zodiac Killer and Jack the Ripper taunted the police during their crime sprees; murderers like Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy received prison fan mail from troubled people who wanted to know what made them tick, and crafted some chilling responses.
These letters came from some of the creepiest serial killers who ever lived (and picked up a pen) and are seriously disturbing. This list features pictures and scans of serial killer letters and excerpts of the creepiest, most bone chilling lines.
The Most Insane Letters from Serial Killers,
Albert Fish
Who he was:
An unassuming, grandfatherly looking man, Fish was actually a serial killer, kidnapper, and cannibal. Although he only confessed to three murders in the 1920s, he would later claim that he had killed at least 100 children.
Who it was sent to:
Fish sent this letter anonymously in 1934 to the family of Grace Budd, a 10-year-old girl he killed, cooked, and ate in 1928. The letter detailed how he became a cannibal and how he killed Budd.
Creepiest part:
"I choked her to death, then cut her in small pieces so I could take my meat to my rooms."
The Axeman of New Orleans
Who he was:
In 1918 and 1919, at least eight individuals in New Orleans (primarily Italian-Americans) were killed by a mad man with an axe. Making things even creepier, in most of these cases the victims were killed with axes they themselves owned. The identity of the Axeman remains unknown.
Who it was sent to:
On March, 13, 1919 a letter from the Axeman, addressed to "Esteemed Mortal" was published in several New Orleans newspapers. In it, he explained that he would kill again on March 19, 15 minutes after midnight, but would spare anyone who was listening to jazz music. Unsurprisingly, many parties were held that night to ward off the Axeman and no murders occurred.
Creepiest part:
"At will I could slay thousands of your best citizens, for I am in close relationship with the Angel of Death."
Source: Crime Library
Belle Gunness
Who she was:
In the late 1800s, Belle Gunness used personal ads to attract her victims. She'd exchange letters with lonely bachelors and, after a sufficient amount of time, tell them to come visit her (preferably with their savings in tow). When these suitors came to visit her farm in Indiana, she'd kill them and keep their money.
Who it was sent to:
Various men across the Midwest, including Andrew Helgelein. It's believed that Gunness engaged in communication with (and later killed) at least 40 men, plus her own children.
Creepiest part:
In the letter to Helgelein, Gunness instructed him: "But, my dear, do not say anything about coming here..." making it easy for her to hide his murder.
Source: La Porte Library
Dennis Rader
Who he was:
From 1974 to 1991, the BTK killer (named for his method of binding, torturing, and ultimately killing his victims) committed 10 home invasion murders in Witchita, KS. After going quiet for thirteen years, BTK began sending letters to the police in 2004, leading to his arrest in 2005. His identity was revealed to be Dennis Rader, a respected member of the Witchita community.
Who it was sent to:
Rader sent this poem to Anna Williams, a potential victim of his two months after waiting in her home one night, ready to kill her. Lucky for her, she was out late dancing with friends and after hours of waiting, Rader gave up and left.
Creepiest part:
"Oh, Anna, Why Didn't You Appear / Drop of fear fresh Spring rain would roll down from your nakedness to scent to lofty fever that burns within..."
Donald Harvey
Who he was:
Donald Harvey served as an orderly in hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky during the 1970s and 1980s. It was during this time that he found creative ways to poison at least 30 patients. Before he was found out, Harvey had been given the nickname "Angel of Death" by a co-worker because he always seemed to be nearby when a patient died.
Who it was sent to:
Harvey sent this lengthy letter to someone who wrote to him in prison in 1998.
Creepiest part:
This morbid joke which Harvey included with the letter: "Lord, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change , change the things I can and the wisdom to hide the bodies of those people I had to kill because they pissed me off."
Gary Ridgway
Who he was:
The most prolific serial killer in the United States, Ridgeway was a truck painter who confessed to the killing of over 70 women in California and Washington in the 1980s and 1990s. The media gave him his alias after his first five victims were discovered near Washington's Green River.
Who it was sent to:
Following his arrest in 2001, Ridgway wrote letters to his wife almost daily. When he finally confessed to the police, he wrote this letter revealing the truth to her.
Creepiest part:
"I made a prayer to God I will stop killing if I don’t get caught, I had to live with all that in me all those years. I couldn't tell you. I was like a alcoholic dry for a time. Then fell off the wagon. I miss you so much."
H. H. Holmes
Who he was:
It's unknown how many people Holmes killed, as he was very meticulous. He confessed to 27 murders, but is believed to have killed nearly 200 people. Most of these murders happened at his infamous "murder castle," a hotel he built in Chicago during the 1893 World's Fair that was filled with death traps.
Who it was sent to:
From prison, Holmes arranged to have his confession letters published exclusively in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Creepiest part:
“I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing."
Jack the Ripper
Who he was:
The serial killer dubbed by the British press "Jack The Ripper" killed and mutilated at least five women in the Whitechapel neighborhood of London in 1888. The killer's identity remains unknown.
Who it was sent to:
This letter, popularly known as the "Dear Boss" letter was sent to the Central News Agency of London. Ripper scholars still debate whether this letter was sent by the real killer or an impostor. In this letter, the writer details how he killed and how he wanted to use a victim's blood to write the letter.
Creepiest part:
"I saved some of the proper red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with but it went thick like glue and I cant use it. Red ink is fit enough I hope ha. ha."
John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo (Beltway Snipers)
Who they were:
In October 2002, the Washington, D. C. metro area was rocked by a series of sniper attacks along busy roadways. In total, 10 people were killed by the duo of John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo during their three weeks of terror.
Who it was sent to:
This four-page extortion letter was likely written by Muhammad and was left in the woods near Ashland, VA following a shooting in the area. The letter details how the snipers' previous attempts to make contact with authorities proved unsuccessful and outlined how they wanted $10 million to stop the killings.
Creepiest part:
"P.S. your children are not safe anywhere at any time."
The Zodiac Killer
Who he was:
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Zodiac Killer terrorized the San Francisco Bay area. Although only five murders were confirmed to be the work of the Zodiac, letters that were allegedly from him took credit for nearly 40 murders. His identity remains unknown.
Who it was sent to:
The Zodiac (or an impostor) sent this creepy Halloween card to San Francisco Chronicle reporter Paul Avery in 1970. Avery had been covering the Zodiac case for the paper.
Creepiest part:
"Peek-a-boo, you are doomed."