Peter Kürten
Known as the Düsseldorf Vampire, Kürten was responsible for the sexual abuse and murder of nearly 60 people. Allegedly, he even drank the blood of one victim, earning him a chilling nickname.
He lived an apparently normal life while brutally ending the lives of men, women, and children. He wasn’t afraid to revisit crime scenes—once even chatting with a police officer at a murder site. He likely took twisted pleasure in the attention and the fear he left behind.
Kürten’s capture was almost accidental, and on July 2, 1931, he was executed by guillotine.
Though the press sensationalized the case, his last words are said to have been:
Tell me! After they cut off my head, will I still be able to hear, even for a moment? To hear my own blood gushing from my neck? It would be a joyful way to end all other joys.
Peter Manuel
The Birkenshaw Beast raped and murdered at least seven people before being hanged on July 11, 1958.
Due to the brutality of his attacks, many still call him Scotland’s cruelest serial killer. His cold cynicism showed even as he was led to the gallows:
Turn on the radio, then I’ll leave quietly.
Records don’t say if his last wish was granted, but if the radio played, he didn’t enjoy it long: the prison doctor declared him dead 24 seconds later. Manuel was buried the same day in an unmarked grave near the prison walls.
Marcel Petiot
Marcel Petiot’s notorious nickname, Doctor Satan, perfectly captures the contrast between his outward charm and hidden cruelty.
Diagnosed with mental illness early on, his condition worsened after serving in World War I. He later became a doctor but mainly dealt with drugs and illegal abortions.
During World War II, he exploited vulnerable people by offering Jewish refugees escape routes from the Nazis—for a price. By then, he was already a serial killer. He was convicted of 27 murders, though he confessed to 60.
Many victims were hidden in his apartment, with neighbors alerted by unbearable smells. Executed in 1946, his final words before decapitation were:
Gentlemen, I have one last piece of advice for you! Look away, because this won’t be a pretty sight!
H.H. Holmes
Holmes killed his victims in a hotel he designed himself for murder and body disposal. This macabre place inspired many books and films, including recent episodes of American Horror Story.
He not only tortured victims before killing them but used brutal, inhumane methods to destroy their bodies. Arrested in Boston on November 17, 1894, he was finally hanged in 1896 for his horrific crimes.
His last words reportedly were:
No need to rush, don’t botch this up!
After death, Holmes made one final, bizarre request to ensure confusion and shock lingered: he asked to be buried inside a multi-ton concrete block.
