Initial Ideas, and the Stories They May Become

Both my potential topics for research are serial killers. Mankind has always had a fascination with serial murderers. In the Greek Myths, the hero Theseus faces not one but several Serial Killers on his journey to Athens.[1] Modern historians have speculated the beliefs in werewolves may have stemmed from medieval killers. The fascination for such people is easy to understand. For in every culture murder is universally decried as one of the ultimate sins. So how is it possible for someone to commit multiple homicides and still claim to be human?


The problem is many serial killers are either too well known or too obscure. As such I've chosen two possible candidates, one that was especially well known and one that isn't.

Gary Ridgeway AKA The Green River Killer
America’s most prolific Serial Killer, operated between 1982 to 2000. During which time, he systematically abducted, then murdered female sex workers in Seattle.
Though sentenced for 49 deaths, Ridgeway confessed to 71, and estimates place his possible total death toll at over a hundred.
My research would go into Ridgeway’s motives and insanity,  such as, were their signs of derangement present for his whole life or not? and if so, when did such signs first manifest?
The advantage with using Ridgeway is that, as one of the most prolific killers, there is a wide variety of information about him and his crimes that is easily accessible.
The downside is, Ridgeway has already had multiple books (and a graphic novel) written about him, his life and his crimes. As such finding a fresh perspective could prove difficult.

Alexander Pichushki AKA The Chessboard Killer AKA The Bitsa Park Maniac
A Russian Serial Killer, operated between 1992 to 2005.
Convicted of causing 48 deaths, suspected of being responsible for 60; Pichushki confessed to 62 (on account of being unaware that two of his victims survived).
Interesting points of potential could be looking into the accident he suffered as a child, and whether this contributed to his bloodlust. Another possible point is whether or not there is any truth in the rumours of his killings being committed to challenge fellow Serial Killer Andrei Chikatotilo[2]. Also how true was Pichushki’s claim of desiring to kill 64 people, one for every square of the chessboard.
The advantage of doing Pichushki is he is not so well known and there is very little written about him.
The disadvantage is this also means there is less information and detail available to study.

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[1] Memorable members include Sinis, who tied his victims between two bent trees so they were ripped apart when he released them. And Procrustes the inn keeper who would stretch out his victims too short for their bed, cut off the legs of the ones to tall and simply smother the ones who fit.

[2] AKA The Red Ripper, convicted of murdering 52 women and children between 1978-1990.