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This website is
about the Hillside Strangler case; one of the most disturbing serial
murder cases in US history. First off, we should state that the
name "Hillside Strangler" was created by the media before it became
known that there were actually two individuals responsible for the
murders.
Those of you who
are visiting this website looking for a thrill may be disappointed,
for we do not intend to sensationalize or further the mythical status
of serial killers; we simply want to present the facts in an objective
manner, without exploiting the subject matter in a way that would
cause more harm to those who have come to suffer as a result of Angelo
Buono and Kenneth Bianchi's crimes. However, this site contains
descriptions of forensic evidence that may shock some readers,
evidence we felt had to be included in our content due to its
relevance to the investigation, prosecution, and profiling.
What makes this
case so disturbing isn't the MO of the murderers
themselves, but the fact that two ordinary men would become monsters
by combining their hatred and disrespect of women. While serial
killers such as Ed Gein, Albert Fish, and Jeffrey Dahmer may have
committed acts so shocking they have inspired characters
in horror films and novels, Buono and Bianchi's crimes have a deeper
resonance; this is simply because we have difficulty imagining
becoming the victims of cannibals, but the fear of being abducted,
raped and killed is an everyday concern to most women who live in urban
or suburban
areas.
Like Ted
Bundy,
the monster who actually inspired the term "serial killer", the
Hillside Stranglers were sexual predators; although they did not
perform acts of ghoulism on their victims, they showed the same
amount of hatred and sadism by torturing their victims and showing no
compassion or remorse. Like Bundy, Kenneth Bianchi was a fairly
handsome man who lured his victims by pretending to be an security
guard or police officer. While Buono wasn't an attractive man by
any means, he did posses a great deal of self-confidence, which gave
him power over women, and impressed his cousin Kenny.
Another troubling
aspect of the Hillside Strangler case is that two individuals
committed these crimes together, making it a rare case involving team
killers. Two other cases that come to mind where the term "team
killers" is applicable would be that of Henry Lee Lucas and
Ottis Toole, two of the most notorious serial killers in the history
of crime, and of course, the infamous Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka
case. In all three situations, the fact that neither found the
other's deeds reprehensible enough to report or question is enough to
make anyone wonder about the true nature of evil.
Does evil reside
within the individual? or is it a force which can be as powerful when
applied to more than one person, as in a couple, a gang, or even an
army?
We chose to head
this page with the word WARNING because this site is not intended for
minors. It is intended as an educational resource in which you will
find factual accounts of the events surrounding the Hillside Strangler
case, profiles on Buono and Bianchi, and general information about
team killers. In addition to this
material, we have provided links to online resources that will help
you better understand and demystify serial killers, and information
that may even prevent you from becoming a victim.
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