american history

33 Of The Best Serial Killer Movies And The Even More Horrifying True Stories Behind Them

Go inside the most terrifying serial killer movies of all time — and the even grislier real-life murderers who inspired them.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 27, 2023

33 Of The Best Serial Killer Movies And The Even More Horrifying True Stories Behind Them

Go inside the most terrifying serial killer movies of all time — and the even grislier real-life murderers who inspired them.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 27, 2023

The Story Of North Brother Island, The Abandoned New York City Quarantine Site That No One’s Allowed To Visit

Once the site of a sprawling quarantine compound that housed Typhoid Mary in the early 20th century, North Brother Island was abandoned in 1963, leaving its crumbling buildings frozen in time.

By Kaleena Fraga • Aug 27, 2023

The Story Of North Brother Island, The Abandoned New York City Quarantine Site That No One’s Allowed To Visit

Once the site of a sprawling quarantine compound that housed Typhoid Mary in the early 20th century, North Brother Island was abandoned in 1963, leaving its crumbling buildings frozen in time.

By Kaleena Fraga • August 27, 2023

Inside The Real Amityville Horror House And Its Story Of Murder And Hauntings

A year after Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed six of his family members at 112 Ocean Avenue, the Lutz family moved in and began experiencing unexplainable hauntings that would inspire The Amityville Horror.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 27, 2023

Inside The Real Amityville Horror House And Its Story Of Murder And Hauntings

A year after Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed six of his family members at 112 Ocean Avenue, the Lutz family moved in and began experiencing unexplainable hauntings that would inspire The Amityville Horror.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 27, 2023

John Wayne Gacy’s House: Inside The Lair Of A Serial Killer

When police raided serial killer John Wayne Gacy's house at 8213 West Summerdale Ave. in Chicago's Norwood Park in 1978, they uncovered 29 bodies.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 25, 2023

John Wayne Gacy’s House: Inside The Lair Of A Serial Killer

When police raided serial killer John Wayne Gacy's house at 8213 West Summerdale Ave. in Chicago's Norwood Park in 1978, they uncovered 29 bodies.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 25, 2023

How Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano Went From Mafia Killer To FBI Informant

Before he cooperated with the FBI to put John Gotti behind bars, Gambino underboss Sammy "The Bull" Gravano was one of the most feared killers in Mafia history.

By Wyatt Redd • Aug 25, 2023

How Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano Went From Mafia Killer To FBI Informant

Before he cooperated with the FBI to put John Gotti behind bars, Gambino underboss Sammy "The Bull" Gravano was one of the most feared killers in Mafia history.

By Wyatt Redd • August 25, 2023

The Disturbing True Story Of Carl Tanzler And The Corpse He Dug Up And Lived With For Seven Years

Carl Tanzler fell in love with Maria Elena Milagro de Hoyos, a young tuberculosis patient at the Key West hospital where he was a radiology technician — but his fondness grew into an obsession after she died in 1931.

By Cara Johnson • Aug 24, 2023

The Disturbing True Story Of Carl Tanzler And The Corpse He Dug Up And Lived With For Seven Years

Carl Tanzler fell in love with Maria Elena Milagro de Hoyos, a young tuberculosis patient at the Key West hospital where he was a radiology technician — but his fondness grew into an obsession after she died in 1931.

By Cara Johnson • August 24, 2023

The Disturbing Crimes Of Dale Hausner, The Phoenix ‘Serial Shooter’ Who Killed At Random

From 2005 to 2006, Dale Hausner killed eight people and injured 19 in drive-by shootings alongside his partner-in-crime Samuel Dietman.

By Austin Harvey • Aug 23, 2023

The Disturbing Crimes Of Dale Hausner, The Phoenix ‘Serial Shooter’ Who Killed At Random

From 2005 to 2006, Dale Hausner killed eight people and injured 19 in drive-by shootings alongside his partner-in-crime Samuel Dietman.

By Austin Harvey • August 23, 2023

The Life And Death Of David Barksdale, The Founder Of Chicago’s Black Disciples

Once a feared gang leader, "King David" Barksdale eventually pivoted to anti-violence activism and became an influential force in the American civil rights movement.

By Amber Morgan • Aug 22, 2023

The Life And Death Of David Barksdale, The Founder Of Chicago’s Black Disciples

Once a feared gang leader, "King David" Barksdale eventually pivoted to anti-violence activism and became an influential force in the American civil rights movement.

By Amber Morgan • August 22, 2023

The Sad Story Of The Original Shamu, The Captive Orca At The Start Of SeaWorld’s Legacy Of Abuse

SeaWorld's first Shamu was captured in 1965 and forced to perform at their San Diego park for six years before she died prematurely in the wake of cruel and abusive treatment.

By Austin Harvey • Aug 21, 2023

The Sad Story Of The Original Shamu, The Captive Orca At The Start Of SeaWorld’s Legacy Of Abuse

SeaWorld's first Shamu was captured in 1965 and forced to perform at their San Diego park for six years before she died prematurely in the wake of cruel and abusive treatment.

By Austin Harvey • August 21, 2023

Inside The 400-Year-Old Mystery Of What Caused The Salem Witch Trials

For 300 years, the causes of the Salem witch trials have been hotly debated. Some blame boredom and teenage angst while others blame a hallucinogenic fungus.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Aug 20, 2023

Inside The 400-Year-Old Mystery Of What Caused The Salem Witch Trials

For 300 years, the causes of the Salem witch trials have been hotly debated. Some blame boredom and teenage angst while others blame a hallucinogenic fungus.

By Jaclyn Anglis • August 20, 2023

The Osage Indian Murders: Inside The Greed-Fueled Killing Spree That Targeted Rich Native Americans

Thanks to oil deposits found on their land, the Osage Native Americans became some of the wealthiest people in the United States by the 1920s — which put an enormous target on their backs.

By Gina Dimuro • Aug 20, 2023

The Osage Indian Murders: Inside The Greed-Fueled Killing Spree That Targeted Rich Native Americans

Thanks to oil deposits found on their land, the Osage Native Americans became some of the wealthiest people in the United States by the 1920s — which put an enormous target on their backs.

By Gina Dimuro • August 20, 2023

Diane Downs Tried To Murder Her Own Children — Then Blamed It On A Carjacking

In May 1983, Diane Downs shot her three children before shooting herself in the arm to stage being attacked by a carjacker, but her plot failed when two of her children survived.

By Marco Margaritoff • Aug 19, 2023

Diane Downs Tried To Murder Her Own Children — Then Blamed It On A Carjacking

In May 1983, Diane Downs shot her three children before shooting herself in the arm to stage being attacked by a carjacker, but her plot failed when two of her children survived.

By Marco Margaritoff • August 19, 2023