Richard Francis Cottingham, born November 25, 1946, stands as one of America's most notorious and brutal serial killers. His reign of terror, spanning from 1967 to 1980, left an indelible mark on the states of New York and New Jersey. Cottingham's heinous acts, which led to the murder of at least eighteen young women and girls, earned him several chilling nicknames: the New York Ripper, the Torso Killer, and the Times Square Killer. His conviction for three particularly gruesome murders in Times Square, which included mutilation, solidified his infamy.

Early Life and Background

Richard Cottingham's early life, like that of many serial killers, was seemingly unremarkable. Born and raised in a typical American family, there were no immediate signs of the monstrous path he would eventually take. This apparent normalcy makes his descent into criminality all the more disturbing and perplexing for criminologists and psychologists.

The Murders and Modus Operandi

Cottingham's murders were characterized by a high degree of brutality and sadism. He targeted young women and girls, often abducting them before subjecting them to torture, rape, and ultimately, murder. His modus operandi often involved dismemberment and mutilation, actions that pointed to a deeply disturbed mind.