Dark Truths: Modern Theories of Serial Murder

DARK TRUTHS Modern Theories of Serial Murder

Dr Christopher J Kurtz and Robert D Hunter

NI

Other books by Christopher J Kurtz

Demons and Madmen

First published in Great Britain in 2004 by

Virgin Books Ltd Thames

Wharf Studios

Rainville Road London W69HA

Copyright

© Christopher J Kurtz and Robert D Hunter 2004

The right of Christopher J Kurtz and Robert D Humer to be identified

as the Authors of this Work has been assened by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not,

by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. A catalogue record for this book is available from the British library.

ISBN 0 7535 0814 1 Typeset by TW Typesetting, Plymouth, Devon Printed and hound in Great Britain by Mackays of Chatham PLC

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1. A GENERAL DISTINCTION 2. THE OFFENCE CYCLE 3. EUGENE V. BRITT, MAN-MADE MONSTER 4. JEROME HENRY BRUDOS, THE LUST KILLER 5. THE FANTASY-ADDICTION MODEL OF SERIAL MURDER 6. HADDEN CLARK 7. JEFFREY DAHMER 8. THE MEDICAL MODEL 9. ARTHUR SHAWCROSS, THE GENESEE RIVER KILLER 10. ROBERT JOE LONG II. THE NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY THEORY 12. DOUGLAS CLARK, THE SUNSET STRIP SLAYER 13. JOHN NORMAN COLLINS, THE CO-ED KILLER 14. THE EVOLUTIONARY MODEL OF SERIAL MURDER 15. RANDY KRAFT 16. KENNETH ALLEN MCDUFF CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY

I 3 7 19 31 53 61 7I 103 121 131 141 151

167 197 209 219 233 235

INTRODUCTION What drives a man to kill a person, and another, and then another, until he can no longer stop? Urges that possess a man to commit serial murder are no easier to understand than any other addictive compulsion. Irrational behaviour cannot be defined by rational thought. One can apply logic to a study of the motivations that drive maladaptive behaviour, but the investigator must suspend his or her dependence on rational cognition. It is a maddening exercise to attempt to make sense of something that defies typical explanation or simple categorisation. And yet it is necessary to attempt the nearly impossible, if we are ever to understand the serial killer and his motivations. Every little bit counts in the development of proactive strategies for early identification. Each piece holds implications for intervention and treatment. Although this book applies a logical process to the study of serial killers, it does not define a universal set of principles. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, it is a subject that is too complex for any single school of thought to claim authority. Secondly, such a universal set would not take into account individual differences within a given subset of serial killers. In order to gain a more thorough understanding of serial murder, cross-disciplinary approaches are necessary. In an age of advanced specialisation, we have taken the disciplines of science, sociology and psychology to new depths of understanding. But, in the process, we have alienated the disciplines from one another. Specialisation is a pioneering process that cuts a narrow path, and improved communication between disciplines is a necessary step in developing a comprehensive model. Since there is no single causative factor to which the crime of serial murder can be attributed, experts in all fields need to throw their informed hat into the discussion to produce a meaningful and insightful dialogue into an enduringly complex crime.

DARK TRUTHS

If one could overcome the obstacles in developing an integrated model, it would be unlikely to take into account the diverse differences between serial killers. Each one has his own distinct signature and ritual. For this reason, the book examines five separate theories of serial murder. Each theory is followed by case studies of specific killers who match the criteria. The theories are derived from the authors' personal correspondence with these killers. In some cases, original observations are supplemented with adaptations of existing theories. The theories outlined in this book have similarities, as well as differences. The challenge is not so much in identifying the similarities as it is in integrating the differences. Such an approach is essential in developing a comprehensive model of serial murder. It is the only way we ca~properly study the seemingly elusive beast that the serial killer has become over the past three hundred years.

2

1. A GENERAL DISTINCTION The five theories of serial murder outlined in this book are interrelated. A common feature of each theory is the indication of low self-esteem. If regarded as a stimulus, this feature elicits a predictable response with a corresponding set of behaviours. But just as any two people react differently to a particular event, so do serial killers. Imagine how two separate individuals might respond to the death of a loved one. A predictable reaction might be to seek comfort from other loved ones who are also grieving the loss. But another reaction, just as predictable, could be to engage in isolation from others. The same· is true of self-esteem. The expression of low self-esteem can be either overt or covert. It depends on a person's psychological disposition, which is generally considered to be a product of upbringing and individual experience. For some, its expression is obvious and the manifestations are well known to the person experiencing them; for others, it is less obvious and the manifestations are· a product of the person's compensatory behaviours. In the latter case, the person often presents as overconfident with an inflated ego. Killers of the first distinction portray an overt lack of self-esteem. Society has rejected these individuals; in some cases the individuals' perception of rejection has fuelled the reality of it. They want nothing more than to appreciate the acceptance of others. Whell this is not forthcoming, they resort to acquiring it by any means necessary. Since relationships have not proven stable and long lasting, they do not experience the usual barriers in rectifying the taking of a life. In other words, they are. t!te~ victims. Often this is true. An investigation into the childhood of practically every serial killer reveals an appalling history of abuse. As their ill-fated attempts at building relationships continue to fail, they take excessive measures to meet their aims. 3

DARK TRUTHS

In the effort to experience a gratifying relationship, no matter how fleeting, they attempt to control the variables that impede the process of this desired outcome. Since others are unwilling to engage in a relationship with them, they believe that taking a victim is justifiable. Anticipating that they will always be rejected, they often abduct an unwilling partner to create a fantasy relationship. The relationship provides them with a transitory sense of security because the captor exercises complete control over the captive. Obviously, this practice of acquiring submissive acceptance is short-lived. It necessitates repeating: thus, a series emerges. The process follows a logical pattern. The Offence Cycle Theory of murder defines a predictable sequence that repeats itself in the thoughts and actions of t serial killer. Murder becomes an addiction. The Fantasy Addiction Model also supports this theory, with particular attention given to the deviant fantasies that drive the act of murder. A third theory, the Medical Model of serial murder, examines how physiological impairments, whether the result of a traumatic injury or a specific condition, can sometimes lead to a propensity for murder. Killers of the second distinction, that of the covert manifestation of low self-esteem, are far more difficult to identify. For one thing, their defence mechanisms are more sophisticated. They do not present themselves as lacking in self-esteem. If anything, they appear overly confident and sure of themselves. It must be understood, however, that this fa