Women in love with serial killers in prison - Research Paper Example

Women in Love with Serial Killers in Prison/ Rapists Serial killers are individuals who murder at least three people over duration of over thirty days, a period of cooling off occurring between each murderous act. Serial killers according to other sources are those who commit a series of two or more murders in different events usually by an offender acting solely (Schechter 23). In some cases however, serial murderers do their acts in collusion with one or more accomplices, this being a rare phenomenon. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the reasons behind serial killing are diverse and always based of the desire to get psychological gratification. Serial Killers as Deplorable Subjects Some of the most common motivations for serial murder include attention seeking, thrill, anger, the desire to fulfil sexual needs, as well as financial gain according to Schechter (52). One common element with attempted or effected serial murders is that they are often committed by the same individual in similar fashion. Alternatively, the victims of the said killer may have a point of commonality such as race, sex, age group or occupation. Serial killers being both subjects and objects of scorn, ridicule, horror, are never looked upon with admiration among the general population according to Schechter (64). It is often argued, against their case, that they deserve to be given the most severe of punishments for disrespecting their victims’ rights to life. In fact, their plight is often prison, their fate upon conviction always being life imprisonment or at worst, the death penalty. It rarely occurs that people get sympathetic to, attracted to or in love with serial killers, mass murderers, or spree killers. However, there are exceptions to this as discussed hereunder. Serial Killer Groupies Serial Killer Groupies (SKGs) in lay man’s language are individuals – male or female - who are somehow obsessed with serial killers to the point of developing unusual emotional attachments with them (Ramsland, 2010). What this means is that serial killers sometimes become magnets to people, mostly females. The Case of Rosalind Bowers The history of women falling in love with serial killers can be traced back to 1895 with the case of William Henry Theodore Durrant according to Ramsland (2010b). The 23 year old medical practitioner cum Sunday school superintendent was accused and indeed convicted of murdering Blanche Lamont, 20, and Minnie Williams in the most grotesque of ways. Dubbed the Demon of the Belfry, and enjoying an international audience, Durrant surprisingly gained an unusual attention among women of all ages. Of all the women, Rosalind Bowers became an international sensation when it became clear that she had fallen in love with the good looking Durrant. Bowers carried a bouquet of flowers every morning to the courthouse in the wish that the serial murderer would have sweet pleas. She often had the flowers sent over to the murderer and made melodramatic poses and gestures to him during the proceedings. It was later said that Bowers, a married woman craved the man’s attention (Ramsland 2010b). The Case of Caron Ann Boone Ted Bundy was convicted of a series of murders carried out in Florida in 1978 (Ramsland, 2010c). The criminal confessed to have committed at least 30 other vicious crimes over the previous four years. Even after committing numerous murders and other despicable acts, Bundy received a wealth of mails from adoring ladies. Some of the women looked upon the criminal in romantic light albeit with a dose of fright. Many women crowded the courtroom in support of the criminal in support their faith being that the man had been wrongly accused. Among these women, one Caron Ann Boone became most noticeable. During his trial in 1980, Boone testified on Bundy’s behalf claiming he was innocent. Taking advantage of an age-old legal provision, he stood up and proposed, the lady accepting the offer in glee. As soon as this had happened, Bundy proclaimed them married. Later, Boone in some way managed to get pregnant with Bundy’s child, completely blinded of his potentiality as a serial murderer (Ramsland, 2010c). According to Tomik (2009), Richard Ramirez who is on death row for committing serial murder and rape receives bags of mail each year. Most of those who try to contact Ramirez are women, accounting for approximately 90 percent. Tomik states that death row convicts are a common feature in group “wedding” ceremonies such as those conducted at San Quentin State Prison on special Saturdays. The phenomenon of women falling in love or hopelessly infatuating with the most notorious of criminals is one beyond understanding according to many sociologists. Little scientific research has been conducted to unravel the killer groupies phenomenon. This is worsened by the fact that the most notorious inmates often receive the most attention as stated by Sam Robinson (Tomik, 2009). The Case of Dagmar Polzin Dagmar Polzin is one woman who has stunned the masses ever since she fell in love with death row convict Bobby Lee Harris. The woman saw a photo of the murderer and immediately fell in love with the man. Scott Peterson who was also sentenced to death for killing her wife Laci has also received a proposal for marriage. On his first day in prison alone, Prison authorities received at least 36 calls, mainly from women seeking to have Peterson’s mail address. A lot of studies have revealed that there is no end to women who desire to find a husband on capital punishment or deadly criminals (Ramsland, 2010b). . Reasons behind the Existence of Serial Killer Groupies There are a number of reasons that make women or serial killer groupies generally get attracted to serial killers or rapists. One of the main reasons behind this phenomenon is rescue fantasies according to Ramsland (2010b). In this case, the SKG tends to nurture the belief that she has the ability to transform the serial killer or cruel person into a good and responsible one. Another reason behind this phenomenon is the women’s need to nurture. Going by this need, it is claimed that women see the little boy in the criminals whom they so overwhelmingly wish to protect and nurture (Ramsland, 2010b). Yet another factor that makes women fall in love with serial rapists or killers is the desire for drama. As the serial killers live their lives, the women tend to believe that something surprising may happen. This makes the women get attracted to the adversarial atmosphere that surround the criminals. On the other hand, it is claimed that some women view serial killers and rapists as perfect boyfriends according to Ramsland (2010b). . With these boyfriends, they may have not to endure the constant issues that are common with most relationships as she constantly knows where she is. Beauty and the beast syndrome also accounts for the reason some women get attracted to dangerous criminals. This can be explained by considering that the women may like to get close to danger that will less likely harm them. Yet again, some females may get attracted to the killers to display their mettle. In this respect, they get themselves aligned against world in defence of those that they love. The need for eminence and attention often comes in the way of many. By getting close to serial killers or serial rapists, some women believe that they are drawing the kind of attention that they so much cherish. With such attention, the women, in some cases, manage to grow from nobodies into recognizable people according to Ramsland (2010b). On the other hand, some women have vicarious fantasies which they wish to live out on other people. Some sociologists claim that some women suffer from a condition known as Hybristophilia. This condition makes the women get sexually attracted to those who are known to be violent or who have violent tendencies. Without doubt, most of the women who get attracted to hardcore criminals are attractive and educated. In fact, many of them are not in lack of money and are married. Conclusion Although clearly flagged as morale decay in society, the trend of women falling in love with serial killers in society is clearly becoming a not so uncommon feature, more so in the United States of America. Today, many women flock trial proceedings or visit prisons to get serial killers notice them. Prison groupies as they are commonly referred somehow manage to develop a surprising tenacity toward serial killers or rapists as they seem to want to be exclusively connected to the murderer(s) of their choice. Some of these women even have themselves aligned to two or even more characters of weird character and get engaged or married to them, There are a myriad of reasons behind which women get attracted to dangerous criminals such as serial killers and rapists. Some of the most prominent reasons include the need for attention and recognition, the beauty and the beast syndrome, rescue fantasies and nurturing fantasies. The reasons behind these events as can be seen are mainly psychological given that many of those involved are financially stable and attractive. Works Cited Ramsland Katherine (2010) Who are They? Viewed 14th November, 2010 http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/s_k_groupies/4.html Ramsland Katherine (2010b) Serial Killer Groupies: A Good Catch. Viewed 14th November, 2010 http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/s_k_groupies/index.html Ramsland Katherine (2010c) Courthouse Courtship. Viewed 14th November, 2010 http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/psychology/s_k_groupies/2.html Tomik S. (2009) Killer groupies an unexplained mystery. Viewed 14th November, 2010 http://articles.sfgate.com/2009-09-28/bay-area/17205505_1_doreen-lioy-san-quentin-state-prison-night-stalker Schechter, Harold. The Serial Killer Files: The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the Worlds Most Terrifying Murderers. Ballantine Books. 2003. Print. Read More