The Role of Sexual,Sadistic, and Misogynistic Fantasy in Mass and Serial Killing

A subset of violent criminals fixates on deviant (and often grossly misogynistic) sexual fantasies, or engages in sexually sadistic behavior toward victims. Although the role of psychosexual deviancy is quite common among many notorious serial killers (e.g., Ted Bundy, Gary Ridgway, Dennis Rader), it appears to be a motivating factor for some recent mass killers as well. Evidence indicates that the killer’s psychosexual issues were a motivating factor for mass killers (e.g., George Sodini, Jared Lee Loughner, and Elliot Rodger) in their assault. This article will compare and contrast the role and influence of a deviant sexual/misogynistic fantasy formation process for mass and serial killers.