We’ve all heard of Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy—but serial killers have been living among us, haunting our dreams, and making sure we lock our doors at night for centuries. The stories of the monsters listed above are heinous and hideous, causing us to question our neighbors, our peers, and even our own family members, wondering how someone could do such a thing. But they’re not the only ones.
Our friends over at The Line Up have scoured their sources and compiled a list of 21 of the most disturbing serial killers in history. From the Harpe Brothers to the Lonely Hearts Killers, these killers are sure to strike fear in the heart everyone.
1. Mary Ann Cotton: England’s First Serial Killer
This prolific killer from the 19th century left a shocking list of dead in her wake, including 11 of her 13 children, three husbands, one lover, and her mother …