Asger Risom
There’s a macabre allure to the idea of a killer who vanishes into the shadows. These ten serial murderers left behind trails of terror—and haunting questions that remain unanswered.
There’s a macabre allure to the idea of a killer who vanishes into the shadows. These ten serial murderers left behind trails of terror—and haunting questions that remain unanswered.
The Babysitter Killer
Known formally as the Oakland County Child Killer, this predator abducted and murdered four children in Michigan during the late 1970s.
Each victim was bathed before being killed, suggesting a twisted parental compulsion. Despite a DNA profile, no match has ever been found.
The Highway of Tears Killer(s)
Along Canada’s Highway 16, dozens of Indigenous women vanished over five decades. Authorities believe multiple killers prowled the 450-mile stretch.
Only one case has ever led to a conviction, while others remain hauntingly unsolved.
Bible John
This Scottish serial killer is tied to three women slain after nights out at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom in the late 1960s.
Nicknamed for his religious rants, Bible John was last seen by a victim’s sister—yet his identity remains a mystery.
The Alphabet Killer
In 1970s Rochester, New York, three young girls with alliterative names were raped and murdered.
Despite multiple suspects and public appeals, including billboards, the killer vanished, and the case has never been solved.
The West Mesa Bone Collector
Eleven bodies were found buried in New Mexico desert scrubland in 2009. The women had vanished years earlier.
Despite theories about sex trafficking and new tips each year, the elusive killer—or killers—have never been identified.
The Servant Girl Annihilator
Active in Austin, Texas, during the 1880s, this killer may have inspired later legends like Jack the Ripper. Though over 400 suspects were arrested, the case was never officially closed—and remains America’s first unsolved serial murder case.
The Long Island Killer
Linked to at least 10 murders, the Long Island Killer evaded detection for years. A suspect was arrested in 2023, but no conviction has been made. Until then, the case remains disturbingly open.
The Black Doodler
Operating in 1970s San Francisco, the Doodler targeted gay men, sketching them before their deaths. Fear of being outed kept victims from testifying. With new leads and DNA, police are closing in, but no arrest yet.
The Zodiac Killer
This infamous killer taunted 1970s San Francisco police with cryptic ciphers and letters.
While five deaths are confirmed, he claimed 37. Despite theories and suspects, his identity remains one of America’s great unsolved mysteries.
Jack the Ripper
London’s most infamous killer stalked the foggy streets of Whitechapel in 1888. At least five women were butchered, sparking a media frenzy. With most records lost to war, his true identity is likely lost to history forever.
