Born killers are individuals who are born with an inherent tendency to commit violent acts, some even reaching the level of mass murder This phenomenon has become increasingly relevant in recent years given the rise of mass shootings and other violent events. Born killers could be caused by biological factors such as an individual’s genetics, or psychological factors such as their upbringing or even the social environment in which they live.
The first example of a born killer is the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. Bundy had a troubled childhood, was estranged from his family, and suffered from depression. He had a fascination with the macabre and enjoyed reading lurid crime stories. Although the exact reason that he killed so many people is unknown, his psychological issues and lack of stability likely contributed to his violent tendencies.
The second example is Charles Manson, an American criminal who was convicted of inciting a number of murders in the late 1960s. Manson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and was abandoned by his mother at a young age. He spent much of his childhood in and out of rehabilitation, and was exposed to all manner of violence throughout his life. He also had a deep admiration for Adolf Hitler, which likely contributed to his murderous motivations.
The third example is Eric Harris, one of the two perpetrators of the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre. Harris and his accomplice, Dylan Klebold, killed 12 students and 1 teacher before turning the guns on themselves. Harris had a deep-seated hatred of authority figures, and wrote extensively about his desire to commit acts of violence. He was also known to be a loner and had a very troubled history.
The fourth example is the Columbine gunmen Klebold. Klebold was the less outspoken of the two perpetrators, but was equally as disturbed as Harris. He had a deep-seated anger and wrote extensively about his philosophical musings and dreams of death and destruction. He was also deeply depressed and had a history of suicidal thoughts.
The fifth example is Adam Lanza, the perpetrator of the 2012 Sandy Hook Massacre which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and 6 adults. Lanza was born in Connecticut, USA and had a troubled childhood. He was considered a loner and had a deep-seated hatred of authority figures. He showed signs of mental illness from a young age and was known to display violent and aggressive behavior.
All of these individuals were born killers, with the potential for violence made clear throughout their life. It was their psychological issues, coupled with their upbringing and environment that likely led to the violent events that unfolded. It is difficult to pin down an exact cause for why these individuals committed such atrocities, as it tends to be a combination of several factors. That being said, it is clear that there are certain individuals out there that could be considered born killers.