‘Society needs monsters’: why are Americans so obsessed with the idea of serial killers?

A recent study by Texas State University researchers found no evidence of a serial killer in Austin, Texas, despite rumors and speculation about a "Rainey Street Ripper" linked to 36 drownings at Lady Bird Lake. The investigation reviewed 189 cases over a 20-year period and confirmed that there was no pattern of clustering or hotspots of similar criminal activity. Social media speculation has contributed to the persistence of these rumors, with some experts attributing this phenomenon to sensationalism. Meanwhile, serial killer numbers have declined significantly since the 1970s, with an estimated 80% drop-off in active killers between then and the present day. Experts point to increased awareness of strangers, advancements in DNA technologies, and reduced opportunities for hitchhiking as contributing factors to the decline. The study's findings aim to debunk serial killer theories and redirect resources away from phantom cases.