Libertucci 1
According to the FBI, “serial murder can be defined as a series of three or more killings, not less than one of which was committed within the United States, having common characteristics such as to suggest the reasonable possibility that the crime was committed by the same actor or actors” (Federal Bureau of Investigation). Killers such as Henry Howard Holmes often display similar traits that can also identify them as serial assassins. These people are often master manipulators who take advantage of their victims’ weaknesses. Similarly, they typically have above average intelligence and have a remarkable IQ compared to their peers (Woollaston). A characteristic that distinguishes each killer though is their motive. Various motives may include; abuse or bullying during childhood, or personal vendettas. Specifically HH Holmes, one of America’s first serial killers, was motivated to kill because of his complicated childhood and family life, and his need to assert power. Dr. Henry Howard Holmes experienced nothing less than an unfortunate, but eventful life. During his childhood, Holmes experienced …show more content…
The abuse from his parents and peers corrupted him and he could not cope with it. This lead him Libertucci 5 to become an organized hedonistic killer. He was hungry for the power that was taken from him during his childhood. To achieve this he made his intricate and carefully planned “Murder Castle”. This allowed him to regain power and control that was taken from him by his father and abusive peers.
In conclusion, HH Holmes had a combination of characteristics that caused him to become serial killer. His problematic childhood was most likely the root cause of his crimes. His father’s abuse specifically made him feel emasculated which he so desperately wished to counteract. These factors combined together all drove him to feel as if killing was the only way
According to the FBI, “serial murder can be defined as a series of three or more killings, not less than one of which was committed within the United States, having common characteristics such as to suggest the reasonable possibility that the crime was committed by the same actor or actors” (Federal Bureau of Investigation). Killers such as Henry Howard Holmes often display similar traits that can also identify them as serial assassins. These people are often master manipulators who take advantage of their victims’ weaknesses. Similarly, they typically have above average intelligence and have a remarkable IQ compared to their peers (Woollaston). A characteristic that distinguishes each killer though is their motive. Various motives may include; abuse or bullying during childhood, or personal vendettas. Specifically HH Holmes, one of America’s first serial killers, was motivated to kill because of his complicated childhood and family life, and his need to assert power. Dr. Henry Howard Holmes experienced nothing less than an unfortunate, but eventful life. During his childhood, Holmes experienced …show more content…
The abuse from his parents and peers corrupted him and he could not cope with it. This lead him Libertucci 5 to become an organized hedonistic killer. He was hungry for the power that was taken from him during his childhood. To achieve this he made his intricate and carefully planned “Murder Castle”. This allowed him to regain power and control that was taken from him by his father and abusive peers.
In conclusion, HH Holmes had a combination of characteristics that caused him to become serial killer. His problematic childhood was most likely the root cause of his crimes. His father’s abuse specifically made him feel emasculated which he so desperately wished to counteract. These factors combined together all drove him to feel as if killing was the only way