Scott Bonn - Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the Worlds Most Savage Murderers

Praise for Scott Bonns

Why We Love Serial Killers

Powerful and a must-read! Dr. Bonn examines the serial killer, as depicted in fact and fiction, as a timeless cultural imperative.... Insightful, compelling, and an excellent source of myth-busting information for laymen and professionals alike.

Burl Barer, award-winning crime author and radio host

Considered one of the worlds top experts on criminal behavior, Scott Bonn has delivered a book which is so powerful and provocative, you cannot put it down. Indeed, through his diligent work and unparalleled access to these infamous killers whove committed some of the most horrific crimes of our day, he provides chilling and critical insight into these deviant and pathological criminal minds... and reveals the truth behind the headlines.

Rita Cosby, Emmy Awardwinning television host and bestselling author

Scott Bonn has taken on one of the most horrifying, disgusting, and chilling type of criminalsserial killersand illustrates their enduring appeal. Using social constructionist and functionalist analyses, he delves into societys strange attraction to these infamous murderers, provides insight into some of Americas most famous examples, and explains why we are so attracted to the nuances of these peoples lives and motivations. Squarely looking the news media in the face for sensationalizing and even romanticizing these criminals for the sake of ratings and raising the publics fear, Bonn answers the questions about why we remain lured by these stories, our fascination with them, and why the serial killer will long endure in our consciousness as a repulsive yet captivating character in criminology.

Peter Adler, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology, University of Denver, and Patricia Adler, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology, University of Colorado

In Why We Love Serial Killers , Drew University criminology professor Scott Bonn, PhD, simultaneously examines the publics and medias fascination with the monsters among us and the ways in which that attention impacts them. He writes about serial killers behaviors and the researchfrom the FBIs original work to more recent modelsthat informs the law enforcement professionals charged with profiling, catching, and studying them. A real bonus: Dr. Bonns correspondence with Dennis Rader (BTK or Bind, Torture, Kill) for its insight into the mind of an especially chilling murderous psychopath. As such, it is a stark reminder that, irrespective of any deceptively benign appearances to the contrary, they are never like us.

Sue Russell, award-winning journalist and author of Lethal Intent , a biography of Aileen Wuornos

Scott Bonns book, Why We Love Serial Killers: The Curious Appeal of the Worlds Most Savage Murderers , makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of a subject that seems to fascinate many Americans. Interest in serial killers, Bonn reminds us, far outstrips their murderous activities that make up only a small portion of murders committed in the US. In addition to dispelling myths about serial murder and murderers, he gives an in-depth profile of some of the most notorious killers, including fascinating insight on Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer who has become Bonns pen pal and confidant. Bonn uses a constructionist perspective to help us understand this fascination with these psychopathic murderers, showing how their creation satisfies the needs of a broad segment of society. All in all, Bonn provides a noteworthy contribution to the literature of the field, one that opens new doors for understanding the inner drives that propel these killers into committing their savage acts.

Larry Siegel, professor of Criminology and Justice Studies, UMass-Lowell

Many of us are fascinated by serial killers but have little understanding of why that is so. In Why We Love Serial Killers , Dr. Scott Bonn delves into intriguing social-psychological issues that surround our curiosity and even obsession with the worlds most ruthless killers. He carefully and vividly explains our fascination with evil and shows powerful evidence that the news and entertainment media glorify serial killers and turn them into what he calls celebrity monsters. Along the way, he defines serial killers, explains how their often psychopathic minds operate, identifies their varied and complex motivations, and offers new and unique insights into two infamous serial killersthe Son of Sam and Bind, Torture, Killbased on his personal contact with them. Dr. Bonn delivers a brilliant examination of the most dangerous and unremorseful humans on the planet. This book is thought-provoking and it debunks popular stereotypes about serial killers such as they are all young white males. Dr. Bonn has authored a must-read for both the amateur and professional or academic enthusiast of crime.

RJ Parker, bestselling true crime author of Top Cases of the FBI

For those of you that are interested in serial killerswhy they do what they doand want to go the extra mile and delve into their disturbed minds, this book is a must-read! Author Scott Bonn explains how their evil minds work and also takes on the challenge of debunking myths that go along with them. He explains their twisted fantasies and motives by getting it straight from the horses mouththe killers themselves. He also discusses the members of our society who collect the belongings of serial killers, including hair, clothing and even dirt from their crime scenes. There isnt a stone left unturned in this book, that is, if you want to learn about the worst killers on the planet.

Victoria Redstall, author and investigative journalist

Copyright 2014 by Scott Bonn

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Anthony Morais

Cover photo credit AP Images

Print ISBN: 978-1-62914-432-0

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-63220-189-8

Printed in the United States

This book is dedicated to the victims and their families.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

There is a bible story about the circumstances surrounding the death of Jesus that resonates today.

When Pontius Pilate gave the gathered Passover crowd its annual choice of which prisoner to crucify and which to spareJesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, or Barabbas, the notorious murdererthe crowd instantly chose to exercise benevolence for Barabbas. As depicted in mounds of scholarly biblical studies and in the film, The Passion of the Christ , Barabbas is portrayed as a psychotic or sociopathic serial killer. Yet the crowd that day in Judea chose to spare him.

Indeed, our fascination with serial killers can be traced back to biblical times. But why are we so captivated by these monsters who commit the most unforgivable crimes? Are we spellbound by their sheer wanton disregard for human life or do we fear there is something in each of us that could also explode into fits of multiple murder?