The Most Famous Killer in Massachusetts, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the killer you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 3, 2024 07:08

Understanding historical crime cases can provide valuable lessons on safety, prevention, and the function of justice systems. In Massachusetts, a state with a rich history, assessing the most notable killers offers insights into patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. This type of ranking helps prioritize which events warrant further public discourse and scrutiny. By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a broader community understanding of criminal history in Massachusetts. Each vote helps adjust the focus, potentially highlighting lesser-known cases that carry significant historical importance. Engagement in this process not only enriches the viewer's knowledge but also plays a part in shaping how these criminal cases are remembered and understood.

Who Is the Most Famous Killer in Massachusetts?

1

78
votes

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) -Strangler Bureau · Public domain

Albert DeSalvo

Known as the "Boston Strangler," DeSalvo was responsible for sexually assaulting and murdering 13 women in the Boston area in the early 1960s. He confessed to the crimes and was sentenced to life in prison, where he was later killed by another inmate.
2

26
votes

Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0

Aaron Hernandez

A former NFL player, Hernandez was convicted of the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2013 and was later found guilty of a double murder in 2012. He committed suicide in prison in 2017.
3

18
votes
Unknown United States Marshals Service (United States Department of Justice) personnel. · Public domain

James "Whitey" Bulger

Bulger was a notorious organized crime boss in Boston who was convicted of 11 murders in 2013. He was found dead in prison in 2018.
James "Whitey" Bulger in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Irish mobster
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous bank robber
4

19
votes

John Salvi

In 1994, Salvi opened fire at two abortion clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts, killing two people and injuring five others. He was later found dead in his prison cell.
5

17
votes

Amy Bishop

A biology professor at the University of Alabama, Bishop shot and killed three colleagues during a faculty meeting in 2010. She had previously been involved in a shooting in Massachusetts in 1986, where her brother was killed.
6

9
votes

Gary Sampson

Sampson was convicted of killing three people in Massachusetts in 2001. He had previously served time for other violent crimes and was on parole at the time of the murders.
7

9
votes

George Nassar

Known as the "Bedroom Basher," Nassar was responsible for a string of rapes and murders in the Boston area in the 1970s. He was sentenced to life in prison in 1978.
8

5
votes

David Parker Ray

Although not from Massachusetts, Ray's crimes were discovered in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, he was known as the "Toy-Box Killer" and was responsible for the kidnapping, torture, and rape of multiple women. He died in prison in 2002.
9

6
votes

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department · Public domain

Kenneth Bianchi

Also known as the "Hillside Strangler," Bianchi was responsible for the murders of 10 women in California in the late 1970s. He later moved to Bellingham, Massachusetts, where he was arrested for the murder of two more women.
10

1
votes

Clark Rockefeller

A con artist who posed as a member of the Rockefeller family, he was convicted of kidnapping his daughter in Boston in 2008. He had previously been involved in a murder in California in the 1980s.

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Ranking factors for famous killer

The number of victims

The more victims a killer has, the more notorious they may be.
Infamy

The level of notoriety and publicity a killer has received in media.
Methodology

The manner in which the killer selected and carried out their crimes.
Motive

The reasons why a killer committed their crimes can often add to their infamy.
Historical significance

Using a historical lens, a killer may have particular cultural or social relevance in context to the time in which they lived.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous killer in Massachusetts. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or killer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1382 views
186 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each killer once every 24 hours. The rank of each killer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous killer in massachusetts

Background Information: Massachusetts, known for its rich history and cultural heritage, has been the site of some of the most notorious and gruesome killings in American history. From the infamous Boston Strangler to the chilling case of the Boston Marathon bombers, Massachusetts has seen its fair share of shocking crimes. But who is the most famous killer in Massachusetts? Is it the notorious gangster Whitey Bulger or the infamous Lizzie Borden? Or is it someone else entirely? Join us as we delve into the dark and twisted world of Massachusetts' most infamous killers.