Most Notorious Nicknames (Part Two)

This is the second part of my notorious nickname’s post. Nicknames are usually cute endearments we give to our best pals or cherished loved ones. But sometimes, history attributes way creepier nicknames to loathsome figures from the past.

The Zodiac Killer was a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The identity of the killer remains unknown to this day. The Zodiac Killer is believed to have committed at least five confirmed murders, although he claimed to have killed 37 people. He taunted law enforcement and the public by sending encrypted letters to newspapers and authorities, containing cryptic messages and threats.

One of the most infamous aspects of the case was the Zodiac’s ability to elude capture, despite the extensive efforts by law enforcement to track him down. The case remains one of the most enduring and mysterious unsolved serial killer cases in American history.

“Doctor Death” refers to Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a neurosurgeon whose medical career was marred by a trail of disastrous surgeries that left patients seriously injured or dead. He gained infamy for his gross negligence and alleged malpractice, which led to multiple medical board investigations and legal actions against him.

Operating in the Dallas, Texas area during the early 2010s, Dr. Duntsch had a reputation for being overly confident and lacking the necessary skills to perform complex surgeries safely. His actions were exposed by investigative reporting and eventually led to his arrest and conviction. The case of Doctor Death served as a chilling reminder of the potential dangers of medical malpractice and the importance of proper oversight in the healthcare system.

The Boston Strangler was a notorious serial killer who terrorized the Boston area in the early 1960s. Between 1962 and 1964, thirteen women were murdered in a series of brutal attacks, all of whom were strangled in their own homes. The killer’s modus operandi varied, and he targeted women of different ages and backgrounds. The case garnered widespread media attention and struck fear in the community.

Albert DeSalvo, a handyman with a history of sexual offenses, confessed to the killings, although his guilt remains a subject of debate among investigators and researchers. The true identity of the Boston Strangler remains a mystery, and the case remains one of America’s most infamous unsolved serial killer mysteries.

“The Monster of the Andes” refers to Pedro López, a notorious serial killer from Colombia. Active in the 1970s and early 1980s, López was responsible for the murders of an estimated 300 young girls across several South American countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. He would lure his victims, often street children or vulnerable young girls, away from their families and then sexually assault and murder them.

López’s horrifying killing spree finally came to an end in 1980 when he was captured in Ecuador. He was convicted of a smaller number of murders in Ecuador and sentenced to prison, but due to a controversial legal ruling, he was released in 1994 and deported to Colombia. Since then, his whereabouts have been unknown, and he is considered one of the most prolific and elusive serial killers in history.