10 most chilling serial killers in Mindhunter, ranked

An eye candy for lovers of true crime, Mindhunter is both captivating and horrifying at the same time. This mind-blowing thriller series, produced by the renowned David Fincher, will take you through some of the most bone-chilling criminal stories in the history of law and order.

It is based on the non-fiction crime book by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, called Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit, written in 1995. The show features the journey of two protagonist characters, Holden Ford, played by Jonathan Groff, and Bill Tench, played by Holt McCallany. They act as daring FBI agents who try to explore the complex psyche of ordinary human beings now turned into mass murderers and criminals.

As the FBI hunts down and interviews some of the most unhinged criminals, we are presented with glimpses of how their twisted minds functioned. Here are the top 10 most wicked and ghastly serial killers ranked in Mindhunter.

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1. Ed Kemper

Ed Kemper’s horrifying criminal history will not only shock you to the core but also shake your very existence. People often called him by the name “Co-Ed killer.” He remains one of the most maniacal serial killers in Mindhunter, with Cameron Britton skillfully bringing this character to life. Kemper was accused of brutally murdering his own family during his teen years and several women later.

He was also found guilty of being involved in other inhuman crimes like dismemberment and necrophilia. However, he barely felt any remorse for his actions. The way he upheld a calm and composed demeanor during the interviews will send chills down your spine. His deeply toxic family background and troubled childhood shaped most of Kemper’s journey, and it helps one dig into the mind of a heinous criminal.

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2. Charles Manson

Charles Manson was like Patrick Bateman in real life. He had a strange leaning towards brutal crimes and a deep-seated but creepy love for music. He was not a serial killer in the traditional fashion. He headed a cult that heavily influenced many of his followers to commit gruesome murders, including that of the famous Hollywood star Sharon Tate. He played the game with his head.

It was alleged that he manipulated his own family members through his sick and twisted philosophies to carry out a series of unlawful acts that left everyone speechless. Manson was very fond of the Beatles, especially their 1968 album White Album and the song “Helter Skelter.” Damon Herriman was aptly cast as the character of Charles Manson in the series Mindhunter.

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3. David Berkowitz

Criminal profilers refer to David Berkowitz, aka Son of Sam, as one of the most unsettling criminals they've ever examined. Oliver Cooper plays the role of this chilling serial killer in Mindhunter. He claimed to have followed the orders of some demonic power that led him to initiate a shooting spree in New York in 1977, an event that became popularly known as the "Summer of Sam." The city was quite terrified of him.

Berkowitz mostly targeted women, and seemed absolutely remorseless for his brutality. Moreover, his letters to the police mocking the state's law enforcement further highlighted his unpredictable, twisted, and unhinged nature.

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4. Wayne Williams

A deeply controversial figure in the crime department, Wayne Williams was accused of being associated with the tragic history of the Atlanta Child Murders. Although he was the prime suspect in the killings of 26 Black people between 1979 and 1981, the details of his case remain highly mysterious, sparking widespread debate. The series of violent murders had left the entire city in shock.

The investigators in Mindhunter Season 2 showcased how Wayne’s investigation stirred widespread debate on whether he was the actual perpetrator or just a scapegoat used to misdirect the case. The ambiguity so perfectly portrayed through Christopher Livingston’s intense performance makes it all the more fascinating and yet deeply unsettling.

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5. Dennis Rader

Dennis Rader was living a double life before he was arrested and found guilty of orchestrating several atrocious murders. Serving the U.S. Air Force for a brief period and eventually working at the ADT Security Services, Rader started killing people in a disturbingly heinous way.

He assumed the title of “BTK” killer, which was an abbreviation for bind, torture, kill. He sent premeditated clues and disturbing images of victims from the murder scene to mock the police. The way he maintained his facade for so long left everyone stunned. Sonny Valicenti delivered a chilling portrayal of the BTK killer in Mindhunter Season 2.

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6. Richard Speck

Few crimes have shaken the nation, like the ruthless murders of student nurses in July 1966, carried out by Richard Speck. Over the course of a single night, Speck killed eight trainee nurses by strangulating and stabbing them and even raping one of his victims. The murders were so cold-blooded that they remain an enigma to the investigators.

Mindhunter delves deep into his unpredictable, twisted nature, identifying the gravity of his actions, even though he tries to make it look like something he has no control over. Jack Erdie’s striking performance in the role of Richard Speck cast a spine-tingling spell over the audiences.

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7. Monte Rissell

From petty offenses to horrific acts of rape and murder, Monte Rissell’s descent into crime surfaced at a shockingly young age. He was just 14 when Rissell carried out his first act of sexual violence. He is charged with 12 rapes and five murders.

The aggression and impulsiveness of his brutal crimes left a trail of horror that shocked the people as well as the investigators. His inexplicable brutal actions were somewhat triggered by his rough childhood and miserable life experiences. Sam Strike, in the role of Monte Rissell in Mindhunter Season 1, did a terrific job.

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8. William Pierce Jr.

William Pierce Jr. was a serial killer accused of committing nine murders between 1970 to 71. Played by Michael Filipowich in Mindhunter Season 2, we get a glimpse of this remorseless and calculated serial killer with a track record that is downright chilling. What makes him so horrifying is his talent for compartmentalizing his acts of brutality. He insisted on being referred to as “Junior.”

Every step that he took seemed to be pre-planned in his head. It was a reflection of his deep-rooted anger and twisted ideologies. Pierce was also involved in various other offenses like theft, burglary, and arson before he started to mercilessly kill people.

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9. Jerry Brudos

Jerry Brudos, also called the “Lust Killer” or the “Shoe Fetish Slayer,” was held responsible for crimes that were not just violent and unsettling but also deeply perverse, arising from his odd sexual fantasies that developed from a very young age. He was charged with abduction, murder, rape, and, most disturbingly, necrophilia.

His fixation with women's footwear and undergarments instigated him to keep certain body parts and objects of his victims. He continues to be a haunting example of human depravity at its most extreme. Happy Anderson played the role of Jerry Brudos in the series.

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10. William Henry Hance

William Henry Hance was portrayed by Corey Allen in Mindhunter. During his tenure as a soldier, William was prosecuted for taking the lives of three women and being involved in the sexual harassment of three others. He was suspected of a fourth assassination as well, but no charges were filed for it.

Before his arrest, he wrote handwritten letters to misguide the police, claiming that the murders were committed by a group called “The Forces of Evil.” This man carried out some really dreadful crimes back in the late 70s that left a lasting scar on the community.