1952-1994
Larry Eyler, also known as the Highway Killer, murdered approximately 21 teen boys between 1982-1984, across 4 states and 14 counties, including Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. He targeted gays and hitchhikers, brutally stabbing them to death before dumping them in remote areas.
1928-1990
Lead perpetrator of Indiana's cruelest and most gruesome crime: the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens, also known as the Coke Bottle Murder. Sylvia and her sister were left in Baniszewski's care since their parents traveled for work: Baniszewski promised the parents that she would treat the girls like her own children. Upon moving in, Gertrude Baniszewski, Baniszewski's children, and neighborhood teens tortured Sylvia to death. After Sylvia's murder, Baniszewski was sentenced to life in prison in 1966, was resentenced to 18 years to life, and eventually released early in 1985. All others involved in the murder also received short sentences, despite the brutality of the crime.
1859-1908 (death alleged)
Serial killer based in LaPorte, Indiana, famous for luring at least 14 men into marriage and the promise of farm life, only to kill them and eventually her own children. A surprising amount of public records such as newspaper articles and her will are available considering the time period and her gender.
1903-1934
"Dillinger, whose name once dominated the headlines, was a notorious and vicious thief. From September 1933 until July 1934, he and his violent gang terrorized the Midwest, killing 10 men, wounding 7 others, robbing banks and police arsenals, and staging 3 jail breaks—killing a sheriff during one and wounding two guards in another." His crimes are further detailed in the attached FBI article.
1942-1994
Chicago area serial killer who murdered at least 33 young men and boys during the 1970s. He is most popularly known as the Clown Face Killer as his job at the time was performing as a clown at birthday parties. He killed using either asphyxiation or strangulation, and hid the bodies in crawlspaces in his home.
1899-1947
Famous Chicago gangster who dominated headlines, known for his involvement in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in 1929: the culmination of gang violence in Chicago. Interestingly, he was arrested on tax evasion charges rather than gang violence, and eventually died of syphilis.
1960-1994
Wisconsin serial killer and cannibal known for murdering 17 young men and boys during the 1970s-80s. He targeted gay men exclusively, and was known for killing in order to keep his victims with him forever. He is one of the rare serial killers to show remorse, which has caused a recent rise in public fascination with him.
