10 Infamous Serial Killers Who Were Never Caught

Disturbed and not caught

In an age where we eat true-crime documentaries and podcasts for breakfast, our fascination with the macabre and mysterious has reached new heights. Yet as fascinating as it is to follow the twisted tales of serial killers on screen, the disturbing reality is that some of these predators have never been caught in real life. The unsolved cases of these elusive killers continue to haunt law enforcement and intrigue the public, serving as a chilling reminder that sometimes justice is not served.

Here are 10 cases of notorious serial killers throughout history who were never apprehended by police – and some may still be on the loose.

1. Jack the Ripper

• Location: London

• Victims : At least 5

• Time lapse: 1888

Jack the Ripper terrorized the Whitechapel district of London by brutally murdering and mutilating at least five women, all of whom were prostitutes. Despite numerous suspects and a media frenzy, his true identity remains unknown. The Ripper’s gruesome methods and provocative letters to British police made him one of the most infamous and terrifying killers in history.

2. The Zodiac Killer

• Location: Northern California

• Victims : 5 confirmed, maybe up to 37

• Time lapse: Late 60s to early 70s

The Zodiac Killer’s cryptic letters and numbers, which were sent to newspapers, taunted the police and the public. Its known attacks targeted young couples in remote areas, but its penchant for publicity left a much wider trail of terror. Despite numerous theories and in-depth investigations, his identity remains a mystery.

3. The Monster of Florence

This unidentified killer targeted couples in parked cars and used a Beretta handgun and a knife to carry out his brutal murders. Despite multiple arrests and various theories – including the involvement of a satanic sect – the true identity of the Monster of Florence has never been confirmed by the Italian police.

4. The Chicago Tylenol Poisoner

• Location: Chicago

• Victims : 7

• Time lapse: 1982

This twisted killer’s method was unconventional and particularly insidious. He tampered with Tylenol bottles by adding cyanide. The resulting deaths led to a national panic and an eventual overhaul of packaging standards.

In 1982, a man named James Lewis, a longtime suspect in the case, was arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison. Although Lewis was convicted of extortion related to the Tylenol murders, no direct evidence linked him to the poisonings themselves. Lewis died in 2023.

5. The Servant Girl Annihilator (also known as Austin Ax Murderer)

• Location: Austin, TX

• Victims : At least 8

• Time lapse: 1884-1885

This first American serial killer targeted African-American maids, often by attacking them in their sleep with an axe. The brutal nature of the crimes and the racial dynamics of the era added layers of complexity to the case, which remains unsolved despite various suspects and theories circulating over the years.

6. The West Mesa Bone Collector

• Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

• Victims : 11

• Time lapse: Discovered in 2009 (the crimes probably took place earlier)

In 2009, a mass grave containing the remains of 11 women and an unborn child was discovered on Albuquerque’s West Mesa. Most of the victims were involved in drug trafficking and prostitution. Despite extensive investigations, no clear suspect has been identified, leaving a panicked community in shock and the trail in the case remains cold. The nickname “Bone Collector” evokes the gruesome nature of the crimes by emphasizing the method the killer used to dispose of the bodies in a remote desert.

7. The Babysitter Killer (also known as the Oakland County Child Killer)

• Location: Oakland County, Michigan

• Victims : 4 confirmed, maybe more

• Time lapse: 1976-1977

This sinister killer targeted children, kidnapping and murdering at least four aged between 10 and 12. The meticulous care with which bodies were washed and dressed before being left in public places added a chilling element to the crimes. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the killer was never arrested.

8. The ghost of the highway

This sadistic killer targeted young black girls, kidnapping and murdering six victims over the course of a year and a half. The bodies were left at the side of the road and the penultimate victim was found with a disturbing message taunting the police. Despite a hefty reward and extensive investigations by Washington DC police, the killer was never identified.

9. The Colonial Promenade Killer

• Location: Virginia

• Victims : 8

• Time lapse: 1986-1989

This killer targeted couples and often attacked them in their cars along the Colonial Parkway. The victims showed no signs of robbery or sexual assault, leading to theories that the killer could be a police officer or someone posing as one. Despite numerous theories and suspects, the identity of the killer remains unknown.

In January 2024, Virginia State Police linked Alan Wade Wilmer Sr. (a deceased fisherman) to three of the crimes via DNA testing. However, the other murders remain unsolved.

10. The Highway of Tears Murderer(s)

• Location: British Columbia, Canada

• Victims : 18 confirmed, maybe more than 30

• Time lapse: 1989-2006

Many women, most of them indigenous, have disappeared or been found murdered along this stretch of highway. These cases are believed to involve multiple killers, but the majority of them remain unsolved. Racism and a lack of resources have been cited as factors hindering investigations into the chilling murders.

This story was produced and distributed by MediaFeed.

More from MediaFeed