CCTV cameras have become an integral tool in our daily lives. They are used to capture everything, from mundane activities to horrendous crimes. Footage from CCTV cameras has helped solve several cases, where evidence was scarce or non-existent. This article delves into the ten scariest crimes ever caught on CCTV cameras. The stories range from the suspicious behaviors of a woman who drowned in a water tank after going missing to London’s youngest convicted murderers, who kidnapped and murdered a toddler. Other crimes highlighted include school shootings, attacks by terrorists, and murders that sparked discussions about bystander apathy. CCTV cameras have been instrumental in bringing many criminals to justice, and their existence serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant.
10 Scariest Crimes Caught on CCTV Cameras
CCTV cameras have become a pervasive part of our modern-day lives. These devices can capture everything ranging from mundane activities to horrific crimes. CCTV footage has helped solve several cases where the evidence was sparse or non-existent. In this article, we will take a detailed look at ten of the scariest crimes ever captured on CCTV.
1. The Death of Elisa Lam
The story of Elisa Lam’s death still sends chills down the spines of those who heard it. A CCTV video of the young woman quickly went viral after her death. The footage showed Elisa entering and leaving an elevator several times, and at one point, she was acting very erratically. The video went viral after Lam’s body was found floating in the hotel’s water tank. Her death is still considered a mystery to this day.
2. The Boston Marathon Bombing
The Boston Marathon Bombing of 2013 is one of the most infamous terrorist attacks in modern American history. The CCTV footage from the marathon showed two men carrying backpacks, which would later be revealed to contain bombs. The images were clear, and the FBI was eventually able to track down the perpetrators.
3. The Murder of James Bulger
In 1993, two ten-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, kidnapped and murdered two-year-old James Bulger. The CCTV footage showed the young boys walking hand in hand with the toddler, who would later be found dead on railway tracks. The killers were apprehended and tried, becoming the youngest convicted murderers in modern British history.
4. The Columbine High School Massacre
The Columbine High School Massacre of 1999 was a shocking school shooting that left 15 people dead, including the two perpetrators. The event was caught on CCTV cameras, and the footage showed the gunmen prowling the halls of the school with their guns in hand.
5. The Oklahoma City Bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing of 1995 was a domestic terrorist attack that destroyed a federal building, killing 168 people. CCTV footage of the incident showed the truck carrying the bomb detonating and the ensuing chaos.
6. The Murder of Kitty Genovese
Kitty Genovese was a woman who was brutally murdered outside her apartment building in New York City in 1964. Her screams and cries for help were ignored by her neighbors, who failed to intervene. CCTV footage was not available at the time, but the incident sparked a nationwide discussion about bystander apathy.
7. The Westgate Mall Attack
The Westgate Mall attack of 2013 was a terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, that left 71 people dead. CCTV footage from inside the mall showed the attackers brandishing guns and killing unarmed civilians.
8. The Murder of Lee Rigby
In 2013, two Islamic extremists brutally murdered a British soldier, Lee Rigby, in broad daylight. CCTV footage from the incident showed the killers driving their car into Rigby before attacking him with knives and a cleaver.
9. The Aurora Theater Shooting
The Aurora Theater Shooting of 2012 was a mass shooting that took place during a screening of the movie “The Dark Knight Rises.” The CCTV footage showed the perpetrator, James Holmes, entering the theater with his weapons and then opening fire on the crowd.
10. The Tate Murders
In 1969, the Manson Family cult brutally murdered actress Sharon Tate and several other people. CCTV footage was not available at the time, but the incident became one of the most infamous crimes of the 20th century.
Conclusion
CCTV cameras have provided invaluable evidence in some of the world’s most notorious crimes. While their existence has been both celebrated and criticized, there is no doubt that CCTV footage has helped bring justice to victims and their families. These ten crimes serve as a reminder that evil can occur anywhere, and we must remain vigilant at all times.