Title: Serial Killer Myth #3: They Are All Men | Psychology Today
Headings: Serial Killer Myth #3: They Are All Men
Serial Killer Myth #3: They Are All Men
Female serial killers exist, and they’re as lethal as males.

Content: Perhaps the most infamous female serial killer in U.S. history is Aileen Wuornos, a highway prostitute who killed seven men in Florida during 1989 and 1990. She is a unique exception to the typical profile of female serial killers who target people they know for financial gain. The “black widow” killer is the media stereotype of female serial killers. Wuornos, unlike the stereotype, was driven to kill male strangers out of rage and a desire for vengeance. Wuornos sought retaliation for a lifetime of rape and beatings by men, so she killed prostitution clients that picked her up along Florida highways. She used a gun which is atypical of female serial killers who more often use either poison or smothering to kill their victims. Following her conviction, Wuornos was sentenced to death and she was executed by lethal injection in 2002. She rose to infamy after the release of the 2003 blockbuster Hollywood film Monster in which she was played to great critical acclaim by Charlize Theron. Prior to Aileen Wuornos, the term "female serial killer" was generally considered to be an oxymoron, even among law enforcement authorities, despite numerous well documented incidents of female serial killers throughout history. The lack of public awareness of female serial killers prior to Aileen Wuornos is due to earlier stereotypical depictions of deranged male serial murderers in the news and entertainment media.