SERIAL KILLERS AND SATANISM
Most serial murderers who are involved in cult-related homicides do not appear to be particularly advanced in satan worship.
Several appear to be self-styled satanists who dabble in the occult, but the extent of their involvement is difficult to measure.
Donald Harvey, believed to have methodically murdered 58 victims in at least three different hospitals, had books on satan worship in his possessions but refused to comment about the material.
Donald Harvey, believed to have methodically murdered 58 victims in at least three different hospitals, had books on satan worship in his possessions but refused to comment about the material.
Richard Ramirez, The Nigh Stalker in California, ardently proclaimed his ties to satanism by displaying his pentagram tattooed on his left palm, shouting “Hail Satan!” when leaving court, and listening incessantly to the AC/DC Highway to Hell album. Part of his ritualistic attacks included inscribing satanic symbols in the homes of victims.
Henry Lee Lucas, who roamed the southern states, confessed his involvement with satan worship. Allegedly, he and his partner Otis Toole were paid to kidnap children to be used for human-sacrifices, prostitution, and black-market sales. The duo were believed to be members of the satanic group Hand of Death.
Robin Gecht and three other young men terrorized Chicago in the early 1980s by abducting, mutilating, and killing several young women. In a form of satan worship they were believed to have cut up animal and human body parts for sacrfice on a makeshift alter and then cannibalized some of the remains.
Robert Berdella of Kansas City publicly admitted in 1989 to the ritual tortures and homosexual murders of several young men but denied any connection to satan worship even though evidence indicated otherwise.
An expert on cults reasoned that:
“…one can see that if a serial killer picks and chooses beliefs that fit his aberrant needs, mixes this with signs, symbols, and machinations of satanism, conceives personal rituals and adds to all of this a liberal use of drugs, a frightening picture emerges: an evil, drug-lubricated butchering machine who justifies his behavior by exalting Satan.”
The fact remains that most serial killers have no ties to satan worship before or during their murder careers. Perhaps offenders mention satanism when they are captured simply to add to the already sensational nature of the homicides. Perhaps the police and the media overreact and refer to satanism when they are confronted by the work of a serial killer. Perhaps there are certain types of serial killers who can be described as cult-driven, whereas others are influenced only superficially by satanism. In the cases off those who do become involved in satanic worship and serial killing, we should determine which behaviour started first.
