12 Of the Most Famous Psychopaths in History

History is full of heroes, innovators, and people that unite the world. But it also has a dark and disturbing side to it as well, namely psychopaths. Real-life famous psychopaths make horror movies seem like Disney flicks. Some of these terrifying psychopaths have stalked, tortured, and brutally murder their victims. Most operated in the shadows, while a few had accomplices. Their horrifying crime sprees left the public scared to leave their homes, with people double-bolting their doors.

Of course, not every psychopath becomes a serial killer, but they cause just as much damage. With psychopathic tendencies, fraudsters claiming to be brilliant investors and inventors rob innocent people of millions of dollars. They display psychopathic traits as they murder, con, and lie. Here’s a look at 15 of the most famous psychopaths in history.

12 Of the Most Famous Psychopaths in History 

1. Ted Bundy

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Often described as a sociopath and psychopath, Ted Bundy is one of the most notorious serial killers. Between 1974 and 1978, Bundy killed at least 30 women, although the body count is likely higher. Using his charm, Bundy would approach unsuspecting victims pretending to be injured or an authority figure. He often returned to the body to perform acts of necrophilia.

Despite his horrific murders, it took authorities years to capture Bundy. He evaded the police because nobody suspected the handsome young man of being a killer. Bundy even escaped from police custody on two occasions. Finally, authorities arrested Bundy and executed him in 1989. 

2. Ed Gein

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Ed Gein is one of history’s best-known psychopaths. He confessed to two murders taking place in 1954 and 1957. However, Gein robbed several graves between 1947 and 1952. Furthermore, he kept bones, body parts, and heads in his home. He also used body parts to create furniture.

After a murder in 1957, police apprehended Gein, who spent the rest of his life in a psychiatric institution. Gein’s crimes significantly impacted pop culture, notably movies American Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, and Psycho.

3. H. H. Holmes

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In the 1890s, H.H. Holmes gained notoriety as one of the most brutal serial killers of his time. Many of his victims were not strangers but people he knew, such as his three mistresses. Despite confessing to 27 murders, he only went to jail for killing his business partner and accomplice, Benjamin Pitezel.

Using his infamous hotel dubbed ‘Murder Castle,” Holmes often killed for money, his lavish lifestyle, and bloodlust. His execution took place in May 1896.

4. Jeffrey Dahmer

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Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, Jeffery Dahmer committed horrific murders of men and boys from 1978 to 1991. With a polite and unassuming demeanor, Dahmer avoided capture for years. In addition to murder, he often performed acts of necrophilia and cannibalism, while also preserving the body parts of his victims.

In 1991, Dahmer’s last victim, Tracy Edwards, managed to escape and flag down two police officers. After a search of his apartment, authorities uncovered Dahmer’s crimes. Dahmer died in prison in 1994 after another inmate killed him.

5. Leopold II of Belgium

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Leopold II was the King of Belgium from 1865 to 1908. His true legacy relates to his time as the self-appointed ruler of the Congo Free State. He privately owned the country and amassed a fortune from 1885 to 1908.

He exploited the nation and its people to export ivory and rubber through forced labor. Known for his heartless brutality, he committed atrocities against the local people, including murder, torture, and kidnapping.

Furthermore, he’d often amputate the hands of men, women, and children if they didn’t meet the rubber quota. An investigation uncovered his crimes, resulting in the Belgium government taking over control of the region.

6. John Wayne Gacy

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With his psychopathic tendencies, John Wayne Gacy was a serial killer and rapist who murdered 33 boys and men between 1972 and 1978. Also known as the Killer Clown, Gacy worked as Patches the Clown for various kid’s parties and charity events. Gacy lured his victims to his ranch with alcohol and magic tricks where he raped and tortured his victims before killing them.

He hid most of the bodies in a crawl space and other spots on his property. Police began to suspect Gacy after the disappearance and murder of Robert Priest. After his capture in 1978, Gacy confessed to his crimes, with his execution taking place in 1980. 

7. Bernie Madoff

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Some psychopaths wear suits, live in a mansion, and rip off innocent victims for millions of dollars. Bernie Madoff was the mastermind behind the biggest Ponzi scheme in history, totaling $64.8 billion. Madoff served as the chairman of Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities. He claims to have started the scheme in the late 90s, but there’s evidence that it began in the 70s.

Sons Mark and Andrew Madoff informed authorities of their father’s crimes leading to his arrest in 2008. Mark committed suicide two years later, while Andrew died in 2014 from Lymphoma. Madoff spent the rest of his life in prison, dying in 2021. 

8. Elizabeth Holmes

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Elizabeth Holmes proves there’s more than one way to be a psychopath. The recently convicted fraudster ripped off investors and misled the public. The founder of the defunct health tech company Theranos, Holmes claimed to develop a new blood testing method that required a small amount of blood. Soon, investors and the public uncovered her lies and schemes. Holmes ended up receiving 11 years in prison. 

9. Harold Shipman

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Harold Shipman is one of England’s most notorious serial killers and physicians. Operating for years in plain sight, Shipman killed roughly 250 patients by prescribing large amounts or fatal doses of medication to unsuspecting patients.

Using a Brother typewriter, Shipman forged a patient’s will to give himself their inheritance. Aroused by suspicion, the patient’s family told the police who arrested Shipman not long after the death of his last victim. Later, he committed suicide while serving his sentence in prison in 2004.

10. Elizabeth Báthory

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Countess Elizabeth Báthory was a noblewoman in the Kingdom of Hungary. She’s also an alleged serial killer responsible for the deaths of hundreds of women between 1590 and 1610. With the help of her servants, Báthory would murder her unsuspecting victims to drink and bathe in their blood. She believed this ritual would help her keep her youthful good looks.

After her conviction, she spent the rest of her life on house arrest. While many historians argue that she was a serial killer, others believe she was the victim of a conspiracy.

11. Albert Fish

The Serial Killer Podcast/YouTube

The sadistic Albert Fish is one of the most infamous serial killers from the 20s and 30s. Fish committed several murders, including the kidnapping and rape of three children. Despite claiming to murder hundreds of children, he only confessed to three.

Fish also had a reputation for sending taunting letters to the parents of his victims. Also known for being a cannibal, authorities finally caught and executed Fish in 1936 after he murdered Grace Budd.

12. Bonnie & Clyde

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While history has romanticized the exploits of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, they were undoubtedly two of the most infamous psychopaths during the Great Depression. Their incredible love story,  high-profile crimes, and violent tendencies caught the public’s attention.

Bonnie lived a simple life until falling in love with Clyde. On the other hand, Clyde spent time in prison and committed his first murder at a young age after being sexually assaulted. Clyde even cut off two of his own toes to avoid doing hard labor while in jail.

During the early 30s, Bonnie and Clyde committed numerous robberies in banks, stores, and funeral homes. Furthermore, they’re responsible for the deaths of four civilians and nine police officers. They were ambushed and shot to death in 1936 but their legend lives on.