Think “serial killer” and names like Bundy, Dahmer, or Gacy are probably who come to mind. The name Carl Panzram is not as widely known but perhaps even more horrifying than the ones mentioned above. 

Born in 1891, Panzram confessed to 21 murders and likely countless acts of rape before his death (via All That’s Interesting). In his own words, he was not sorry for any of it (per Serial Killer Shop). Panzram only lived to be 39, but that was enough time for him to leave his gruesome mark on the world. His life of crime began as a child (at age 11 or 12) with theft. This landed him in a reform school where he was beaten, tortured, and assaulted.

When Panzram left the school a few years later, he decided that the criminal life was for him. His violence only escalated from there and what followed were years of brutal crimes. Thus, Panzram was in and out of jail for his entire life and a vicious cycle would occur. Guards would beat and punish Panzram and he, in turn, would do the same (and worse) to inmates. In 1917, he escaped Oregon State Penitentiary and by 1920 he’d bought a yacht.

Using the yacht, Panzram traveled internationally and went on a murder spree. According to Murderpedia, he allegedly assaulted and killed a young boy in Africa. In addition, he was said to have hired guides to take him on a crocodile expedition. Instead, he killed them and fed them to the crocodiles. He eventually returned to America where he continued to kill and assault men.

Panzram hated the human race

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