10 Unknown Serial Killers You’ve Never Heard Of

The world of true crime is often dominated by infamous names like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and the Zodiac Killer. Yet, beneath the surface lies a chilling number of unknown serial killers whose crimes are just as horrifying, if not more so.

These obscure true crime cases may not have made headlines globally, but they showcase the terrifying depths of human nature.

Here are 10 lesser-known serial killers whose dark stories deserve attention.

1. The Monster of Udine (Italy)

Between 1971 and 1991, an unidentified killer terrorized the town of Udine, Italy, murdering at least 14 women. Most victims were sex workers, strangled or stabbed before being discarded in public areas. Despite decades of investigation, the Monster of Udine was never identified, leaving this chilling case unsolved.

2. Jane Toppan (USA)

Jane Toppan, also known as "Jolly Jane," was a nurse in the late 19th century who confessed to murdering at least 31 people. Her preferred method? Administering lethal doses of morphine or atropine while watching her victims suffer. Toppan’s chilling goal was to "see how close to death" she could push her patients before killing them.

3. The Doodler (USA)

Operating in San Francisco during the mid-1970s, the Doodler earned his nickname by sketching portraits of his victims in gay bars before luring them to their deaths. He is believed to have killed at least five men, though some estimates suggest many more. Despite several leads, including a suspect identified by surviving victims, the Doodler was never charged.

4. Pedro Rodrigues Filho (Brazil)

Nicknamed "Pedrinho Matador" (Little Peter the Killer), Pedro Rodrigues Filho is one of Brazil’s most prolific yet least-known serial killers. Active from the 1960s to 1970s, he confessed to murdering over 70 people—many of whom were criminals themselves. Rodrigues claimed he was delivering "justice," making his case both chilling and controversial.

5. Bela Kiss (Hungary)

In the early 20th century, Hungarian tinsmith Bela Kiss murdered at least 24 women, storing their bodies in metal drums preserved with alcohol. Discovered in 1916, Kiss fled before authorities could apprehend him. Despite several alleged sightings, he was never caught, leaving this obscure true crime case unresolved.

6. Ahmad Suradji (Indonesia)

Known as the "Sorcerer Killer," Ahmad Suradji claimed the lives of 42 women in Indonesia between 1986 and 1997. He believed that killing women and drinking their saliva would enhance his supernatural powers. Suradji’s ritualistic murders shocked his rural community, and he was ultimately executed in 2008.

7. Mariam Soulakiotis (Greece)

Mariam Soulakiotis, often called the "Killer Nun," led a monastery in Greece where she was responsible for the deaths of dozens of followers. From the 1930s to the 1950s, she extorted wealthy individuals, isolating and starving them to death to claim their fortunes. Her crimes were only discovered after a long history of deception and manipulation.

8. The Smiley Face Killer (USA)

Though debated by law enforcement, the Smiley Face Killer theory suggests that an organized group of killers drowned dozens of college-aged men across the U.S. from the 1990s onward. The presence of smiley face graffiti near some crime scenes adds to the eerie nature of this unknown serial killer case. Whether coincidence or conspiracy, the theory remains unsolved.

9. Moses Sithole (South Africa)

Dubbed the "South African Strangler," Moses Sithole murdered at least 38 women between 1994 and 1995. Sithole lured his victims under the guise of offering them employment, only to brutally assault and kill them. His heinous spree remains one of South Africa’s most horrifying yet relatively unpublicized crime cases.

10. Luis Garavito (Colombia)

Luis Garavito, nicknamed "The Beast," is one of the most prolific serial killers in history, yet his story is far less known than it should be. Between 1992 and 1999, Garavito murdered over 200 young boys in Colombia, using deceit to lure them to isolated locations. His horrific crimes shocked the nation but are rarely discussed outside South America.

Why Are These Serial Killers Unknown?

Several factors contribute to why these cases remain obscure:

1. Geographic Isolation: Many cases occur in less-covered regions, leading to minimal international media attention.

2. Lack of Infamy: Without sensationalized trials or dramatic escapes, some killers fade into obscurity despite their crimes.

3. Unsolved Mysteries: Cases like the Monster of Udine and the Doodler lack the resolution that often fuels public interest.

   
   

Conclusion

These unknown serial killers may not be household names, but their crimes are no less haunting. By exploring these obscure true crime cases, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexity and global scope of serial killings.

Have you heard of any other lesser-known serial killers? Share your thoughts or suggestions for future posts in the comments below!