6 Notorious Female Serial Killers

While most people can name at least a few infamous male serial killers, stories of female serial killers guilty of equally heinous crimes are widely unknown. Let's delve into the chilling world of female serial killers as we explore the unique backgrounds and motives behind their disturbing crimes.

1. Elizabeth Wettlaufer: The Nurse of Death

Elizabeth Wettlaufer, a Canadian nurse, was responsible for the deaths of eight elderly patients between 2007 and 2014. Her crimes were fueled by mental health struggles and a compulsion to harm those in her care. Despite numerous red flags, Wettlaufer continued her deadly spree, targeting vulnerable nursing home residents with lethal doses of insulin.

2. Kristen Gilbert: The Angel of Death

Kristen Gilbert, a nurse in Massachusetts, earned the nickname "The Angel of Death" after causing the deaths of numerous patients by injecting them with epinephrine, inducing heart attacks. Her thrill for creating emergency situations led to the deaths of at least four veterans under her care at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

3. Aileen Wuornos: The Highway Killer

Aileen Wuornos, one of the most infamous female serial killers in American history, murdered seven men between 1989 and 1990. As a sex worker in Florida, Wuornos initially claimed self-defense but later admitted to killing her victims to rob them. Her complex psychological profile and troubled past provide a dark backdrop to her crimes.

4. Dorothea Puente: The Boarding House Murderer

In the 1980s, Dorothea Puente operated a boarding house in Sacramento, California, where she murdered her tenants to steal their social security checks. Puente preyed on the homeless and mentally disabled, burying their bodies in her backyard. Her calm demeanor and elderly appearance hid a sinister motive driven by greed.

5. Juana Barraza: The Silent Killer

Juana Barraza, a former professional wrestler in Mexico, became known as the first official female serial killer in the country. Between the late 1990s and early 2000s, she murdered elderly women in their homes, driven by a deep-seated hatred stemming from her abusive childhood. Barraza's brutal methods and psychological trauma highlight the dark undercurrents of her crimes.

6. Karla Homolka: The Complicit Killer

Karla Homolka, along with her husband Paul Bernardo, was responsible for the rape and murder of several young women, including her own sister, in the early 1990s. Homolka's participation in these heinous acts and her subsequent plea deal, which led to a relatively light sentence, sparked outrage and controversy. Her story underscores the complexities of complicity and coercion in serial crimes.

These female serial killers, with their varied backgrounds and motives, challenge our perceptions of those capable of committing such heinous acts. Understanding their stories provides insight into the darker aspects of human behavior and the unique psychological profiles that drove these women to kill.

References: These Are Some of the Most Notorious Female Serial Killers | 21 Female Serial Killer Stories I Don't Recommend You Read Late At Night