12 infamous serial killers who are still alive in 2024 and currently serving life behind bars

Some images used in this article are from TV shows and/or movie biopics.

From Netflix’s Mindhunter and beyond, true crime fans have always shared the same morbid yet curious fascination with infamous serial killers, ranging from centuries ago to recent times.

The main curiosity stems from the curiosity that resides in every sane individual, that being how could somebody commit such heinous sickening acts, and more importantly, why?

Although many infamous serial killers may not be alive today, there are still plenty of well-known names that are still out there, locked away, living the rest of their lives behind bars as of writing.

1 / Dennis Rader

Also known as the “BTK killer”, Dennis Rader is currently residing in El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas aged 79.

He was found guilty of murdering at least 10 people from 1974 to 1991.

2 / David Berkowitz

More commonly known as the “Son of Sam”, David Berkowitz is currently residing at Shawangunk Correctional Facility, in Ulster County aged 71.

He was rejected for parole this year for the 12th time for murdering 6 people between 1976 to 1977.

3 / Gary Ridgway

Also known as the “Green River Killer”, he was caught in 2001 and is now serving 49 consecutive life sentences at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.

4 / Wayne Williams

Although he claims to be innocent even to this day, he was caught in 1981.

He was not convicted for all of the murders but the police are sure he was the prolific serial killer who executed the Atlanta Child murders.

He was only convicted for 2 murders who were adults, however, the murders came to a halt following his arrest and is currently residing at Telfair State Prison.

5 / Rosemary West

Along with her husband Fred West, who committed suicide in his jail cell whilst awaiting his trial for murdering 12 people, including 2 family members

Rosemary currently resides at New Hall prison in England for murdering 10 people, she is now aged 70.

6 / Edmund Kemper

Also known as the “Co-Ed killer”, now aged 75, Ed Kemper is currently residing at California Medical Facility in Vacaville after being convicted of murdering seven women and one girl.

At age 15 he was also convicted of murdering his paternal grandparents and was sent to Atascadero State Hospital but was released in 1969 aged 21.

7 & 8 / Paul Bernardo, Karla Homolka

Known as the “Ken and Barbie killers”, between 1987-1992 Bernardo had raped or sexually assaulted a large number of women and young girls and murdered three.

He currently resides at La Macaza Institution.

Whilst Karla wasn’t aware at first of Paul’s behaviour, she went on to videotape and even encouraged him, one of the victims killed was also her sister.

She was released from prison in 2005 and went on to marry her lawyer’s brother and has 3 children of her own with him.

9 / Charles Cullen

The “Killer Nurse” is now residing at New Jersey State Prison after murdering 29 although admitting to as many as 40.

Investigators speculate that he killed over 400 patients, spanning 16 years.

10 / Joseph James DeAngelo Jr

The 78-year-old former Police Officer known as the Golden State Killer, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of murder, with additional special circumstances, as well as 13 counts of kidnapping for robbery in 2020.

Although admitting to 161 crimes, including dozens of rapes which he could not be charged with due to the statute of limitations on prosecuting them had long ago expired.

He currently resides at a Protective Housing Unit at the California State Prison in Corcoran.

11 / Lucy Letby

The neonatal nurse was convicted in 2023 of killing 7 babies as well as attempting to kill a further 6.

She was later convicted of another attempted murder in 2024.

Although protesting her innocence throughout the trials she failed to convince the jury due to the staggering evidence against her.

She currently residing in HM Prison Bronzefield, England.

12 / Beverley Allit

Also known as “The Angel of Death”, Beverley Allit currently resides at Rampton Secure Hospital in England.

She was convicted of four counts of murder, 3 attempted murder and 6 charges of GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm) against children.