{"id":18600,"date":"2026-02-02T12:44:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T12:44:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.viasattruecrime.com\/?p=18600"},"modified":"2026-08-05T14:43:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T14:43:23","slug":"psihologija-predatorskog-ubojstva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.viasattruecrime.com\/hr\/psychology-of-predatory-murder\/","title":{"rendered":"U\u0161utka\u010d sa obronka i psihologija predatora u ubojstvima"},"content":{"rendered":"

Serial killers represent humanity’s darkest predators\u2014individuals who murder three or more victims with cooling-off periods between killings.<\/p>\n

“The Hillside Strangler: Devil in Disguise” examines one of Los Angeles’ most terrifying cases, where two cousins terrorised the city in the late 1970s. This February and March on Viasat True Crime Poland, explore the criminal psychology, investigation techniques, and chilling details of serial murder through expert documentaries featuring real cases that changed how law enforcement hunts predatory killers.<\/p>\n

The Hillside Strangler: Los Angeles in Fear<\/h2>\n

Between October 1977 and February 1978, Los Angeles experienced terror as ten young women were found strangled and dumped on hillsides throughout the city. The killer\u2014initially believed to be one individual\u2014left victims’ bodies in public locations where they would be quickly discovered, creating maximum fear in the community. Women changed their behaviours, avoided going out alone, and lived in constant anxiety that they might become the Hillside Strangler’s next victim.<\/p>\n

The Victims: Young Women Targeted by Predators \ud83d\udc69<\/h3>\n

The Hillside Strangler targeted young women\u2014most in their late teens and twenties\u2014often aspiring actresses, students, or women working in the entertainment industry. The victims represented vulnerable targets who could be lured or abducted without immediate alarm. This victim selection pattern revealed the killers’ predatory nature\u2014they hunted systematically, choosing victims who fit specific profiles and could be isolated from protection.<\/p>\n

The Investigation: Unprecedented Challenge \ud83d\udd0d<\/h3>\n

Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department faced an unprecedented serial murder investigation with mounting public pressure to catch the killer. The case became one of the largest criminal investigations in Los Angeles history, involving hundreds of detectives, thousands of tips, and innovative forensic techniques that would later become standard in serial murder investigations.<\/p>\n

Law enforcement struggled with a key problem: they initially believed one killer was responsible, when in reality two men\u2014cousins Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono\u2014were murdering together. This misconception delayed capture and allowed the killers to continue their reign of terror for months.<\/p>\n

Psychology of Serial Killers: Understanding Predatory Behaviour<\/h2>\n

Serial killers exhibit distinct psychological patterns that differentiate them from other violent criminals. Understanding these patterns helps investigators identify, track, and capture these predators before they can claim additional victims.<\/p>\n

The Fantasy-Reality Cycle: How Serial Killing Begins \ud83c\udf00<\/h3>\n

Most serial killers spend years developing violent fantasies before committing their first murder. These fantasies become increasingly elaborate and violent, providing psychological satisfaction until fantasy no longer suffices. At some point, the killer crosses from fantasy to reality, committing their first murder and beginning a cycle that rarely ends without capture or death.<\/p>\n

The Hillside Stranglers’ crimes showed evidence of elaborate fantasies. The torture, positioning of bodies, and ritualistic elements suggested long-term fantasy development before they began killing. Each murder refined their techniques, showing learning and adaptation characteristic of serial killers.<\/p>\n

The Cooling-Off Period: Between Murders \u23f0<\/h3>\n

What distinguishes serial killers from mass murderers or spree killers is the “cooling-off period” between murders. After killing, serial killers return to normal life\u2014working, socializing, maintaining relationships\u2014until compulsion drives them to kill again. This period can last days, weeks, months, or years.<\/p>\n

Both Bianchi and Buono maintained relatively normal lives between murders. Bianchi dated multiple women, held jobs, and appeared charming and trustworthy. Buono operated an auto upholstery business, had children, and seemed like an ordinary tradesman. This ability to compartmentalize\u2014to murder then resume normal functioning\u2014characterises successful serial killers who evade capture for extended periods.<\/p>\n

Organised vs. Disorganised Killers: FBI Classification \ud83d\udccb<\/h3>\n

FBI behavioural analysts classify serial killers as organised or disorganised based on crime scene characteristics. Organised killers plan murders meticulously, select victims carefully, control crime scenes, and take steps to avoid detection. They typically have above-average intelligence, maintain employment and relationships, and appear normal to those around them.<\/p>\n

The Hillside Stranglers exhibited highly organised behaviour: careful victim selection, controlled crime scenes, body disposal in specific locations, and efforts to avoid forensic evidence. This organization made the investigation more challenging and allowed the killers to operate for months before capture.<\/p>\n

Victim Selection and Hunting Patterns<\/h2>\n

Serial killers typically hunt within “comfort zones”\u2014geographic areas where they feel safe and confident. Analyzing crime locations helps investigators identify where killers likely live, work, or spend time. The Hillside Stranglers’ dump sites revealed patterns that eventually helped investigators narrow their search to specific areas of Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Target-Rich Environments: Where Predators Hunt \ud83c\udfd9\ufe0f<\/h3>\n

Serial killers often select victims from target-rich environments\u2014locations where potential victims are abundant and vulnerable. The Hillside Stranglers hunted in Hollywood and surrounding areas where young women seeking entertainment careers were plentiful and often lacked strong social support networks. This environment provided numerous opportunities to identify, approach, and abduct victims without immediate detection.<\/p>\n

Luring vs. Abduction: Approach Strategies \ud83c\udfa3<\/h3>\n

The Hillside Stranglers used various tactics to gain control of victims. Sometimes they impersonated police officers, using fake badges to convince women to get into their vehicle. Other times they offered rides, propositioned victims for sex, or used ruses to lure women to isolated locations. This tactical flexibility allowed them to adapt to different situations and victim types.<\/p>\n

Investigation Breakthrough: Catching the Hillside Stranglers<\/h2>\n

The Hillside Strangler case remained unsolved for over a year until Kenneth Bianchi was arrested in Washington State for two additional murders. His capture finally provided the breakthrough that Los Angeles investigators needed to solve the Hillside Strangler crimes and identify Angelo Buono as his accomplice.<\/p>\n

Bianchi’s Arrest: The Washington Connection \ud83d\udd17<\/h3>\n

In January 1979, Kenneth Bianchi murdered two women in Bellingham, Washington\u2014far from Los Angeles. Unlike the careful planning of the Hillside Strangler murders, these killings were sloppy, leaving substantial evidence pointing to Bianchi. His arrest for the Washington murders eventually led investigators to connect him to the Los Angeles cases.<\/p>\n

The Multiple Personality Defence: Psychology Meets Courtroom \ud83c\udfad<\/h3>\n

Kenneth Bianchi attempted an infamous defence: claiming multiple personality disorder with an alter ego named “Steve” who committed the murders while Kenneth remained unaware. He fooled some mental health professionals initially, but forensic psychologist Martin Orne exposed the deception through clever questioning and testing that revealed Bianchi was malingering.<\/p>\n

This case became famous in forensic psychology for demonstrating how skilled evaluators can detect malingered mental illness. Bianchi’s failed attempt to feign multiple personality disorder led to stricter standards for evaluating such claims in criminal cases.<\/p>\n

Ted Bundy: Charming Serial Killer<\/h2>\n

“The Hunt for Ted Bundy” (March 1st, 21:00) examines another notorious serial killer whose charm and intelligence allowed him to murder at least 30 women while appearing completely normal to friends, colleagues, and even romantic partners. Bundy represents the quintessential organised serial killer\u2014methodical, intelligent, charming, and utterly ruthless.<\/p>\n

Bundy’s Methodology: Predatory Perfection \ud83e\udd85<\/h3>\n

Ted Bundy refined his killing techniques over years, becoming increasingly efficient and difficult to catch. He targeted young women with long dark hair parted in the middle, often approaching them in public places by feigning injury (arm in a sling, leg cast) to request help carrying items to his car. Once isolated, he would attack, abduct, and murder his victims.<\/p>\n

Bundy also demonstrated geographic mobility, killing across multiple states to complicate law enforcement coordination. In an era before national databases and efficient interstate communication, Bundy exploited jurisdictional boundaries to evade capture for years.<\/p>\n

The Face of Evil: Why Bundy Fascinated \ud83d\udcfa<\/h3>\n

Ted Bundy became infamous not just for his crimes but for his appearance, intelligence, and behaviour during trial. He represented himself in court, cross-examined witnesses, and charmed spectators\u2014all while accused of horrific murders. This disconnect between his presentation and his crimes fascinated the public and challenged comfortable assumptions about what killers look like.<\/p>\n

Bundy’s case demonstrated that serial killers don’t necessarily appear monstrous\u2014they can be attractive, educated, articulate, and seemingly normal. This realization transformed public understanding of serial murder and influenced how law enforcement profiles suspects.<\/p>\n

Victim Impact: Families Forever Changed<\/h2>\n

“The Killer in My Family” (February 1st, 16:10-20:00) explores how serial killers’ crimes devastate families\u2014both victims’ families who lose loved ones and killers’ families who must reconcile their relationship with a murderer. These perspectives humanize cases often reduced to statistics and sensationalism.<\/p>\n

Victim Families: Living with Loss \ud83d\ude22<\/h3>\n

Families of serial killers’ victims face unique trauma. Unlike single homicides where investigation may focus intensely on one case, serial murder victims become part of larger investigations where individual lives can be overshadowed by focus on the killer. Families struggle with media attention, extended investigations, and knowledge that their loved one was targeted by a predator.<\/p>\n

Killers’ Families: Related to Monsters \ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83d\udc67<\/h3>\n

“The Killer in My Family” features relatives of serial killers\u2014brothers, nieces, children\u2014who must process how someone they knew committed unimaginable acts. Fred West’s family (February 1st, 16:10), Richard Ramirez’s niece (17:10), and others share how discovering a family member’s crimes shattered their lives and identities.<\/p>\n

Watch Serial Killer Documentaries on Viasat True Crime<\/h2>\n

This February and March, Viasat True Crime Poland presents comprehensive examinations of serial killers, from famous cases like the Hillside Strangler and Ted Bundy to family perspectives on discovering relatives committed murder.<\/p>\n

Complete Viewing Schedule \ud83d\udcc5<\/h3>\n

The Hillside Strangler: Devil in Disguise (2021)<\/p>\n