Serial killers of the 80s tv show. The 1980s didn't just boast the highest concentration of serial killers — it also featured some of the deadliest, and a lot of them may be people whose names Movies and TV shows about real serial killers might even shoot in the exact same locations where the real action took place. Set in the late '70s, this engrossing series delves into the nascent field of criminal profiling, as FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, played by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, interview imprisoned serial killers to comprehend their motives. It turns out Alcala isn’t the only killer with such a deep need for attention that they appeared on television shows. These movies and shows inspired by real serial killers and murderers depict some of the most depraved humans to come out of the woodwork, diving into the kind of history only some of us can stomach. Michael C. [1] As the media coverage of the killings intensified, the FBI predicted that the killer might dump the next victim into Herb Baumeister Herbert Richard Baumeister (April 7, 1947 – July 3, 1996) was an American businessman and suspected serial killer who came under suspicion of murdering over a dozen men in the early-to-mid 1990s, most of whom were last seen at gay bars in central Indiana. . A potential alibi surfaces … and then disappears again, at the worst possible time for Adnan’s case. Here are the genre's 15 best TV series, ranked. Serial tells one story — a true story — over the course of a season. Although he occasionally killed or attempted to kill men and children, Rader typically targeted women. Doug Clark and Carol Bundy prowled the Sunset Strip for sex and victims. While crime shows on TV today sometimes feel like all drama all the time—When was the last time Luther made you laugh? Or Hannibal cracked a smile?—the 80s had a different approach. These factual details add eerie realism to the stories portrayed on screen, transporting viewers back to the moments when these heinous crimes and their repercussions took place. Serial is a podcast designed to be listened to in order. To do that we figured we’d need to look at something different: ordinary cases. [1] The city of Atlanta imposed curfews, and parents in the city removed their children from school and forbade them from playing outside. One courthouse, told week by week. With Soledad O'Brien, Alan Yochelson, Frank Salerno, Sandi Gibbons. Aileen Wuornos, a highway hooker with a gun. [1][2] The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines serial murder as "a series of two or more murders, committed as separate events, usually, but not always, by one offender acting alone". About Season Three Serial is heading back to court. The decade that gave us neon fashion and synth pop also birthed some of history's most chilling predators. Experts speak about why some killers wanted to compete on TV. After 15 months of reporting, we take out everything we’ve got - interviews and documents and police reports - we shake it all out, and we see what sticks. Joe Mantegna, A. Special Operations team in a Black Hawk helicopter landed in the hills of Afghanistan. 986 votes. Which killer's story sends the most shivers down your spine? Below is a complete list of American detective/mystery/crime shows from the 1980s, in alphabetical order. Dennis Lynn Rader (born March 9, 1945), better known by his pseudonym BTK (for " bind, torture, kill"), is an American serial killer and mass murderer who murdered at least ten people in Wichita and Park City, Kansas, between 1974 and 1991. Jun 8, 2021 · In recent years, data has shown that serial killers peaked in the '80s. Searching for chills? Rodney Alcala, also known as the "Dating Game Killer," isn't the only killer, or even serial killer, to go on a game show. Forensic science and criminal profiling became vital tools A brilliant, charismatic, and psychotic serial killer communicates with other active serial killers and activates a cult of believers who follow his every command. Peter William Sutcliffe (2 June 1946 – 13 November 2020), also known as Peter Coonan, was an English serial killer who was convicted of murdering thirteen women and attempting to murder seven others between 1975 and 1980. Lee. Richard Ramirez was a satanic killer terrorizing an entire state who sexually assaulted his victims. [1]: 144 Press reports dubbed him the Yorkshire Ripper, an allusion to the Victorian serial killer Jack the Ripper. S. The 13 best serial killer shows streaming on Netflix As the streamer corners the market on murder content, here are the serious series worth your time. From ‘Saved by the Bell’ and 'Who's the Boss?' to 'Punky Brewster' and ‘The Wonder Years,’ keep reading for the best ’80s tv shows, ranked. This time, in Cleveland. In this true-crime story, two detectives won't rest until they catch him. Here are eight other murderers who were contestants on game shows and other television programs before they were caught. From heartwarming sitcoms to intense dramas and action-packed adventures, Peacock's fascinating new docuseries 'The Hillside Strangler: Devil in Disguise' details a chilling case — and dark era — many Angelenos remember. Before his identification, the murderer was known as the Night Stalker; previously, an unrelated serial killer active in the same area from 1979 to 1981 possessed the Night Stalker nickname, but Ramirez's crimes quickly overshadowed those. So it’s remarkable to hear about serial killers that are still alive, most of whom are serving New Hulu Documentary Series to Chronicle Serial Killers of the ’70s and ’80s By Patrick Cavanaugh November 16, 2021, 2:43pm To mark the debut of Masterpiece's Dark Angel, Paste looks back at 10 of TV's most notorious serial killers. You can listen to Serial in many places: right here on our site, on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and on Pandora. Although he had six accidents in the company's truck, he was only fired for failing to show up for work. President Obama announced Bergdahl’s return in Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life. In May 2014, a U. A reimagining of Thomas Harris's seminal work, this psychological thriller takes viewers on a haunting journey into the complex relationship between sociopathic psychiatrist Dr. Delving into the sinister mind of a blood spatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night, Dexter offers a cat-and-mouse chase between the eponymous character's two personas. A serial killer is typically a person who kills three or more people, with the murders taking place over more than a month and including a significant period of time between them. Serial Killers of the '80s: Directed by Rob Traegler. Dean Arnold Corll (December 24, 1939 – August 8, 1973) was an American serial killer and sex offender who abducted, raped, tortured and murdered a minimum of 29 teenage boys and young men between 1970 and 1973 in Houston and Pasadena, Texas. <br /> The serial killer became part of our common cultural consciousness in the 1970s and, in the decade that followed, the FBI confronted even more incomprehensible crimes and Data compiled by various researchers suggest a rise in serial killings starting in the late 1960s, peaking in the 80s - when there were at least 200 such murderers operating in the United States This is a list of famous serial killers who are still alive. [2][3] The United Dec 7, 2025 · Serial killer shows have long carved out a niche on television, well before true crime had its moment. Not for one extraordinary case; instead, Serial wanted to tackle the whole criminal justice system. to Miami Vice. Bergdahl, a U. soldier, had been a prisoner of the Taliban for nearly five years, and now he was going home. Some might be categorised as horror, others as noirs or Society has always been captivated by serial killers. The decade featured some of the deadliest, and a lot of them you don't even know. Hannibal. 00:00 - S2E152:00 - S2E10Unravel the mystery alongside the FBI's greatest law enforcers and forensic scientists. Dexter. [36][37] Thus, that killer was renamed the Original Night Stalker, who was later identified as Joseph Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life. © 2014 - 2026 Serial Productions, a New York Times Company Privacy Policy | Terms of Use Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig. So if you are among the brave few who want to go deeper, read on for the best fictional serial killer thrillers based on true stories. Years earlier, at the age of 15, Kemper had murdered his paternal grandparents. Season 4, Episode 8: This episode focuses on the most notorious serial killers who terrorised the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. Experts point to environmental and societal factors to explain the unusual glut of murderers. If you're just landing here please go back and start with Episode 1. Catching killers didn't always have to be such a drag. But then, a prosecutor in the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s office stumbled upon two handwritten notes in Adnan’s case file, and they changed everything. 579 votes. Danny Rolling Daniel Harold Rolling (May 26, 1954 – October 25, 2006), known as the Gainesville Ripper, was an American serial killer who murdered five college students in Gainesville, Florida over four days in August 1990. Boasting an impressive 15-season run, this beloved crime procedural delves into the terrifying world of serial killers from the perspective of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. The high school scene, the shifting statements to police, the prejudices, the sketchy alibis, the scant forensic evidence — all of it leads back to the most basic questions: How can you know a person’s character? How can you tell what they’re capable of? In Season One of Serial, she looks for answers. A year inside a typical American courthouse. There were significant delays in beginning an investigation. But the near-constant release of films, TV, documentaries and podcasts delving into the most horrific crimes in our country over the past 50 Edmund Kemper Edmund Emil Kemper III (born December 18, 1948) is an American serial killer convicted of murdering seven women, including his own mother, and one girl between May 1972 and April 1973. Serial Killers of the '80s — Fritsch, Jane, — The 1980s were a time of notorious serial killers—Jeffrey Dahmer, Aileen Wuornos, Samuel Little—but also of advances in forensics that helped lead to their capture. Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Laurence Fishburne. The 1980s ushered in a golden era of television, with its dazzling array of shows that defined the decade. The FBI Files is an American docudrama that t Another Netflix documentary built around the jailhouse confessions of a notorious serial killer, Memories of a Murderer takes viewers to London in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, where lonely Countless TV shows follow repeat murderers, and we’re listing our picks for the most captivating. Mindhunter. Beneath the sunlit glamour of 1985 LA lurks a relentlessly evil serial killer. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher, RadioPublic or the podcatcher of your choice. President Obama announced Bergdahl’s return in The best crime shows of the 1980s were so popular and iconic that they would shape the genre as fans know it today, from Magnum P. In considering the best serial-killer movies ever made, we prioritised those that go beyond mere exploitation or transgressive voyeurism. From network television, to series only available on streaming, these are the 10 best serial killer shows of all time. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness. This includes shows that started in the 1970s and continued into the 80s, as well as shows that started in the 1980s and continued into the 90s. In December 1965, upon the recommendation of his mother, Speck moved in with a 29-year-old divorced woman, an ex-professional wrestler and now a bartender at his favorite bar, Ginny's Lounge, to babysit her three children. The diverse lineup of the best TV shows of the 80s included a variety of genres and storylines, captivating viewers. When serial killers are caught, after a long period of horrific, evil crimes, it’s almost expected that their lives will be coming to an end. 1,179 votes. During the murders, more than 100 agents were working on the investigation. Plus, where to stream them now. Here are the best shows about serial killers to watch on Netflix, Prime Video and more, including "Mindhunter," "You" and others. Criminal Minds. I. Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv. Join us as we count down the most terrifying serial killers of the 1980s! From Jeffrey Dahmer's disturbing preservation rituals to Richard Ramirez's random reign of terror, these monsters defined an era of fear. Tracking Killers: Forensics Expose America's Most Wanted Murderers Serial Killers Who Got CAUGHT In The 90s | TRIPLE EPISODE | New Detectives Trust No Stranger | TRIPLE EPISODE | The New Detectives America saw a surge of serial killers in the 1970s and 1980s. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) and gifted but traumatized FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy). 723 votes. Waiting for them were more than a dozen Taliban fighters and a tall American, who looked pale and out of sorts: Bowe Bergdahl. This season we tell you the extraordinary stories of ordinary cases. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, C. 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