[nopardons]

Only in the 20th century. The 19th century had quite a few serial killers, who were made nationally "infamous" in newspapers and penny dreadfuls. Heck, America even had her own "JACK THE RIPPER", in Chicago, during the World's Fair of 1893, in the nefarious Dr. Henry H. Holmes.

[skr]

Oh my, I'd never heard of Dr. Henry H. Holmes. Just looked him up and wasn't he an enterprising murderer? His "hotel" certainly was efficient. He's apparently considered the first American serial killer, although with a possibility of over 200 victims in ten years, perhaps mega-serial killer might be more appropriate. They didn't fool around back then, trial in Oct. 1895, hanging in May 1896.