Without a doubt, Jack The Ripper.
Saddam Hussein is undoubtedly the most notable.
The most famous serial killer to me is Mary Bell, because she started in her crimes at 10 years of age.
This is new to me. Now that I think about it, there is one of those in history, Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed was a countess from the renowned Báthory family. Although in modern times she has been labeled the most prolific female serial killer in history. She killed to be bathed in his victims blood because it will keep her younger.
Absolutely not. An alcoholic craves alcohol. A serial killer craves power. Some serial killers abuse alcohol and/or drugs but most do not.
America's Most Wanted - 1988 L-A- Serial Killer was released on: USA: 8 November 2008
Carl Panzram was the United States most sadistic serial killer convicted of 21 murders and over 100 cases of rape all he plead guilty to.
most likely the death penalty.
The most recognized serial killer in history would have to be Jack The Ripper. For the average person that may not know about HH Holmes or Gary Ridgeway but there is barely a person alive that has not at least heard of Jack The Ripper. One hundred twenty-two years later, this unknown killer is still the subject of books, movies, TV shows, who dunnit's, tourist's attractions, web sites and who knows what else.
Although there are others that have more victims and this could be subject to a person's opinion, Jack The Ripper still remains the most well known serial killer of all time. In second place would be Ted Bundy.
There are many theories as to how a serial killer becomes one or the habits when stalking their prey. Actually there is no official explanation. In most cases, the serial killer don't walk after or behind his prey but waits in a place for it or ambushes the prey after getting to a place the prey is enganging in some activity. We have the example for the Zodiac mureders. He stalked couples in cars when they were making out. Ted Bundy wore fake casts to get victims to him. Albert Fish is the man who some believe to be the "most deranged killer in American history". He cannibalised childrens by getting their parents to trust him. Walking behind a prey is not something we see normally in serial killers.
The Hedonistic type of serial killer seeks thrills and derives pleasure from killing, seeing people as expendable means to this goal. Charles most likely had the financial motive to his crimes.
Without a doubt, the best known serial killer is London's Jack The Ripper. More than a century after the Ripper began killing prostitutes in Whitechapel in early 1888, he has the most recognizable name and has become a ledgend. A close runner-up would have to be Ted Bundy. Notable mentions would be John Wayne Gacy (the killer clown), Jeffrey Dahmer (the cannibal), and Aileen Wuornos, from Daytona Beach, Florida.