Cannibalism is an act that has been documented throughout history and across cultures. It can take the form of ritualistic acts, or desperate attempts to stay alive. Here we explore some of the most chilling cannibalism cases from the past and present, delving into what made these individuals commit such unthinkable acts. From Jeffrey Dahmer’s Milwaukee murders to a woman who ate her victims in Russia, this list of 10 notorious cases reveals the gripping details of each story and explains why these acts continue to fascinate us today.
Cannibalism has a long and disturbing history, with cases that are truly chilling. Here are 10 of the most shocking cannibalism cases from recent years.
1. Jeffrey Dahmer: Perhaps one of the most well-known cannibals in modern history, Jeffrey Dahmer terrified Americans in the 1980s and early 1990s. Dahmer was convicted of murdering 17 men and boys and engaging in horrible acts of necrophilia and cannibalism. He eventually died in prison in 1994.
2. Armin Meiwes: In 2001, German engineer Armin Meiwes killed and ate 43-year-old Bernd Brandes after advertising for someone to be killed and eaten on a website. He posted pictures of himself eating Brandes’ body parts on the internet, and the case quickly gained notoriety. He was eventually convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to life imprisonment.
3. Issei Sagawa: In 1981, Issei Sagawa, a Japanese student living in Paris, killed and ate a classmate named Renée Hartevelt. Sagawa was diagnosed as mentally ill and unfit to stand trial and sent back to Japan. He has since become something of a celebrity in his home country.
4. Albert Fentress: In 1980, Albert Fentress, a 25-year-old serial killer, shocked police when he confessed to killing 8 people and eating them. He was eventually found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
5. Andrei Chikatilo: Known as the Butcher of Rostov, Andrei Chikatilo was a Russian serial killer who murdered, raped, and mutilated at least 52 people between 1978 and 1990. He admitted to cutting off his victims’ body parts and consuming them, though the extent of his cannibalism remains unknown.
6. Daniel Ruda and Manuela Ruda: This German couple killed and ate their neighbor in 2001, claiming that they felt compelled to do so by an evil force. They were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
7. Alexander Bychkov: Also known as “The Cannibal Of St Petersburg,” Russian serial killer Alexander Bychkov murdered and ate four homeless men in the late 2000s. He was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison.
8. Joachim Kroll: This German serial killer, also known as the “Ruhr Hunter,” killed and cannibalized 14 people between 1955 and 1976. He was sentenced to life in prison, where he eventually died.
9. Otty Sanchez: In 2009, this Texas woman killed and cannibalized her own infant son. She suffered from mental illness and was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
10. Vitezslav Mares: Czech serial killer Vitezslav Mares killed and ate two women in 2015, shocking the nation. He was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison.
These cases demonstrate the horrific lengths some individuals will go to in order to feed their dark desires. It is important to remember that cases of cannibalism remain rare despite their notoriety, and it is always best to trust in the justice system for a just resolution.