Astrological Distribution of Serial Killers Examined
September 28, 2019
G.D.O'Bradovich III
1
Recently on a certain social medium, a meme was posted that suggested that Virgos and Pisces are more likely to be serial killers. We realized that the "data" was "cherry picked" to reach an amusing conclusion- to be wary of one's Virgo friends, or in the absence of Virgo friends, Virgo Apprentices. With enough data, the Gentle Reader would expect an equal distribution among the signs, since the conventional wisdom never tires of stating there is nothing substantial concerning astrology.
Our data set consists of American serial killers as found on Wikipedia. Individuals were omitted when birthdays were unknown, leaving 278 subjects.
If there were an equal distribution, then we would expect 23 individuals per astrological sign.
Our data set consists of American serial killers as found on Wikipedia. Individuals were omitted when birthdays were unknown, leaving 278 subjects.
If there were an equal distribution, then we would expect 23 individuals per astrological sign.
278 subjects divided by 12 signs = 23.1 individuals per sign
For convenience, we have designated the 20th of each month as the commencement of the respective sign, that is, the signs are from the twentieth of the first month to the nineteenth of the following month. Of course, with enough data, the start and ending dates are irrelevant, as there should be an even distribution of individuals.
Cancer
Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus Gemini |
22
27 26 24 27 22 24 19 30 20 17 21 |
It is obvious that the signs are not equally distributed, as births do not evenly occur throughout the year. The above data sorted from highest number of serial killers to lowest number of serial killers:
Pisces
Leo Scorpio Virgo Libra Capricorn Sagittarius Cancer Gemini Aries Aquarius Taurus |
30
27 27 26 24 24 22 22 21 20 19 17 |
The standard deviation among the twelve signs is 3.79 and ranges from 26.79 [23 + 3.79] to 19.21 [23-3.79]. Pisces, Leo, and Scorpio are above the standard deviation while Aquarius and Taurus are below the standard deviation. We can state that there are more serial killers born in Pisces and there are fewer serial killers born in Taurus than would be expected from an equal distribution.
2
We examine the the age of the the serial killer at the time of their first victim. The age that the serial killer commits his first crime is independent of the accident of the month of their birth.
The columns are for the number of subjects in our study, the highest age of the serial killer, the lowest age of the serial killer, and the median age of the serial killer. Five subjects were omitted as their first victim was unknown or the victims were over a decade, e.g., the 1980s, 1990s. The total number of subjects is 273.
The columns are for the number of subjects in our study, the highest age of the serial killer, the lowest age of the serial killer, and the median age of the serial killer. Five subjects were omitted as their first victim was unknown or the victims were over a decade, e.g., the 1980s, 1990s. The total number of subjects is 273.
Sign
Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces Aries Taurus Gemini |
Number
22 27 26 23 25 22 23 19 29 20 17 20 |
Age Range
46-16 65-17 48-18 43-14 58-17 41-15 72-19 37-17 47-14 42-13 54-10 44-18 |
Medium Age
28 27 26 30 29 29.5 32 29 28 27.5 29 29 |
3
Since astrology is a pseudo science, we would expect the medium age of the first killing to have little variance and the data demonstrates this presumption. The median age when serial killer began to kill is consistent; ranging only a few years from age 26 to age 32.
The above data sorted by age of first killing.
The above data sorted by age of first killing.
Capricorn
Libra Sagittarius Taurus Gemini Scorpio Aquarius Cancer Pisces Aries Leo Virgo |
32
30 29.5 29 29 29 29 28 28 27.5 27 26 |
As a group, Capricorns are the most likely to become serial killers later in life [32 years], while the Virgos are most liking to begin their criminal activities early, at age 26. Both Capricorn and Virgo are "earth" signs.
4
The above data sorted from the oldest age of the serial killer for the first killing:
Capricorn
Leo Scorpio Taurus Virgo Pisces Cancer Gemini Libra Aries Sagittarius Aquarius |
72
65 58 54 48 47 46 44 43 42 41 37 |
As a group, the oldest serial killers is a Capricorn, Ray Copeland born in 1914, who began killing in 1986 [aged 72].
5
The data sorted by the group age of the serial killers at their first killing, sorted from youngest to oldest.
Taurus
Aries Libra Pisces Sagittarius Cancer Leo Scorpio Aquarius Virgo Gemini Capricorn |
10
13 14 14 15 16 17 17 17 18 18 19 |
From the above data, we conclude that Taurus, an "earth" sign, and Aries are the most impulsive, while Virgo and Capricorn are the least impulsive serial killers, otherwise said, the most restrained, if the word "restraint" can be applied to serial killers.
Interestingly, Capricorns are represented at both extremes, being the group to begin killing the latest [32 years of age and 19 years of age].
Interestingly, Capricorns are represented at both extremes, being the group to begin killing the latest [32 years of age and 19 years of age].
discussion
We have accepted the data from Wikipedia without regard for individuals who are "hit men", whose motivation is financial gain, or those killers who operated in groups of three of more individuals. A more restrictive definition of "serial killer" would need to devised to remove these from our data.
Although Wikipedia is a useful tool, the data is limited and of questionable integrity, however, there are notable differences among the signs as would be expected if the signs exhibit different behavior, as astrology suggests. Ideally, we would like a much larger data set.
By arbitrarily beginning the zodiac sign on the twentieth of the month, we have reduced to the signs to approximately 30 days. Virgo, for example, has been reduced by approximately 15 days, from 45 days to 30 days, and Aquarius enlarged by six days, from 24 days to 30 days.
The following shows the actual positions of the sun [Sun in Constellation] which is not the same as the "signs" typically used by astrologers. Due to the 50% increase in the duration of Virgo [30 days to 45 days], we would expect 50% more Virgos as serial killers and a corresponding decrease in Aquarius serial killers. All things being equal, this would increase the number of Virgo serial killers from 26 to 39 and would over take Pisces [30] as the sign with the most serial killers.
Although Wikipedia is a useful tool, the data is limited and of questionable integrity, however, there are notable differences among the signs as would be expected if the signs exhibit different behavior, as astrology suggests. Ideally, we would like a much larger data set.
By arbitrarily beginning the zodiac sign on the twentieth of the month, we have reduced to the signs to approximately 30 days. Virgo, for example, has been reduced by approximately 15 days, from 45 days to 30 days, and Aquarius enlarged by six days, from 24 days to 30 days.
The following shows the actual positions of the sun [Sun in Constellation] which is not the same as the "signs" typically used by astrologers. Due to the 50% increase in the duration of Virgo [30 days to 45 days], we would expect 50% more Virgos as serial killers and a corresponding decrease in Aquarius serial killers. All things being equal, this would increase the number of Virgo serial killers from 26 to 39 and would over take Pisces [30] as the sign with the most serial killers.
We made no attempt to determine the exact age when the serial killers began to kill. We suggest that a more disciplined analysis will confirm our initial conclusion regarding the self control and the later, or retarded. development of Capricorn serial killers.
Considering the hundreds of millions of American over the past two centuries, 278 serial killers are not a significant number of the total violent crimes. At most, Astrology, or more accurately a birth or natal chart, can indicate the possibility of certain tendencies, but cannot be used for predictive behavior.
We quote from Apprentice Jonathan's conclusion remarks from his essay "For Young Men Who Like To Think": "We conclude our initial essay with passages from “Confession” and note the application of an esoteric writing technique, the misspelling:
Considering the hundreds of millions of American over the past two centuries, 278 serial killers are not a significant number of the total violent crimes. At most, Astrology, or more accurately a birth or natal chart, can indicate the possibility of certain tendencies, but cannot be used for predictive behavior.
We quote from Apprentice Jonathan's conclusion remarks from his essay "For Young Men Who Like To Think": "We conclude our initial essay with passages from “Confession” and note the application of an esoteric writing technique, the misspelling:
The criminal knows … what he has done, and ... if they [family members and friends] should discover … the perpetrator ..., he surley [sic] would suffer a … painful death. Our criminal will actively avoid this … for as long as possible.
However, previously , we read “that a great work that remains unrecognized has the same value of a work never created.” Emphasis added:
Therefore, there must come a point ... [when the] criminal ... desires capture, if only to be recognised for his efforts ...
data
Serial Killer
Jack Reeves Sean Vincent Gillis Walter E. Ellis Anthony Allen Shore Carl Panzram Tommy Lynn Sells John Bittrolff John Joubert Westley Allan Dodd Sheila LaBarre Helmuth Schmidt Donald Leroy Evans Anna Marie Hahn Charles Schmid Thomas Dillon Billy Glaze Genene Jones Glen Edward Rogers Alvin Neelley Charles Ray Hatcher Gerald Gallego Georgia Tann Lemuel Smith Sante Kimes Cleophus Prince Jr. John Floyd Thomas Jr. Joseph Christopher Kendall Francois Michael Bruce Ross Nathaniel White Robert Rozier Richard Evonitz Mary Frances Creighton Hadden Clark Heriberto Seda Ronald E. Clark Ángel Maturino Reséndiz Tony Costa Faye Copeland Gwendolyn Graham Adam Leroy Lane Marvin Gray Dallen Bounds Paul Durousseau Cary Stayner Peter Kudzinowski Ronald Gray Jane Toppan Anthony Sowell William Suff David Alan Gore Rodney Alcala Henry Lee Lucas Marie Noe Dontae Morris Richard Biegenwald Carol M. Bundy Benjamin Atkins John Arthur Getreu Ed Gein Richard Angelo Lonnie David Franklin Jr. Jack Owen Spillman Andrew Cunanan Roy Norris Robert Zarinsky Robert Anthony Buell Marybeth Tinning Gerald Stano Daniel Lee Corwin Anthony Kirkland Terry Blair Harrison Graham Paul Michael Stephani Michael Swango Frederick Mors Marion Albert Pruett Angelo Buono Jr. Bill Longley Gary Evans Craig Price Bobby Joe Long Michael Madison Lyda Southard Mack Ray Edwards Wayne Nance Louise Peete Scott Lee Kimball Brian Dugan Neal Falls Manuel Pardo Carlton Gary Patrick Kearney Lawrence Bittaker Thomas Bunday Arthur Gary Bishop Dayton Leroy Rogers Michael Lee Lockhart Efren Saldivar Maury Travis Velma Barfield Leonard Lake J. Frank Hickey Bertha Gifford Amy Archer-Gilligan Robert Charles Browne Scott William Cox Kimberly Clark Saenz James Dale Ritchie Henry Louis Wallace Roger Dale Stafford Nannie Doss Derrick Todd Lee Chester Turner David Parker Ray Alton Coleman Carl Eugene Watts Samuel Mason Gordon Stewart Northcott William Henry Hance Belle Gunness Paul Dennis Reid Hubert Geralds Kristen Gilbert William Heirens Harry Powers Robert Ben Rhoades Steven Brian Pennell Charles T. Sinclair Ted Bundy Richard Cottingham Timothy Krajcir Jesse Pomeroy Sharon Kinne David Mason Wayne Adam Ford Scott Williams Cesar Barone Dana Sue Gray Harvey Miguel Robinson Loren Herzog Harvey Glatman Joseph Kallinger Richard Laurence Marquette Jake Bird Raymond Fernandez Linda Hazzard Edmund Kemper Phillip Carl Jablonski Vincent Johnson Joseph Naso Joe Ball Israel Keyes William Bonin Dorothea Puente Ronald Dominique Altemio Sanchez Cynthia Coffman Larry Eyler Thaddeus Lewingdon Scott Erskine Terry Peder Rasmussen Lydia Sherman Dean Corll Charles Ng Janie Lou Gibbs Randall Woodfield John Edward Robinson Ricky Lee Green Thor Nis Christiansen Ray Copeland John Allen Muhammad Joel Rifkin Christopher Peterson Gary Ray Bowles Juan Segundo Boone Helm Robert Berdella Jerry Brudos Dale Hausner Billy Gohl Juan Corona Howard Allen William Devin Howell Gary Lewingdon Robert Hansen Michael Gargiulo Mary Clement Gary Ridgway Lee Boyd Malvo Stephen Morin Charles Cullen Charlie Brandt Wesley Shermantine Joseph E. Duncan III Shirley Winters Winston Moseley Joe Metheny Juan Covington Robert Joseph Silveria Jr. Ottis Toole Thomas D. Carr Faryion Wardrip Todd Kohlhepp Cathy Wood Dennis Rader Doug Clark Alfred Leonard Cline Christine Falling Christopher Wilder Robert Eugene Brashers Donald Henry Gaskins Theresa Knorr Morris Solomon Jr. John Wayne Gacy Timothy Wilson Spencer Stephen Richards Delphine LaLaurie Randy Kraft Aileen Wuornos Richard Ramirez Andre Crawford Mike DeBardeleben Darren Deon Vann Jerry Walter McFadden Kenneth McDuff Joseph "Mad Dog" Taborsky Douglas Wright Gerard John Schaefer Robert Shulman Leslie Irvin Judy Buenoano David Edward Maust Keith Hunter Jesperson Herb Baumeister Richard Kuklinski Joseph Paul Franklin Michelle Knotek Donald Harvey Paul John Knowles Herbert Mullin Thomas W. Piper Orville Lynn Majors Lee Roy Martin William Dale Archerd David Carpenter Martha Beck Danny Barber Elmer Wayne Henley Carroll Cole Kimberly McCarthy Earle Nelson Waneta Hoyt Milton Johnson H. H. Holmes Harvey Carignan Sean Sellers Albert Fish Roger Kibbe Jeffrey Dahmer Kenneth Bianchi Richard Chase Lorenzo Gilyard Danny Rolling Charles E. Terry Robert Lee Yates Wayne Williams David Berkowitz Audrey Marie Hilley Andrew Urdiales Arthur Shawcross Samuel Little Judith Neelley David Meirhofer Bobby Jack Fowler Edward Edwards Rory Enrique Conde Daniel Lee Siebert |
Birthday
June 20, 1940 June 24, 1962 June 24, 1960 June 25, 1962 June 28, 1892 June 28, 1964 July 1, 1966 July 2, 1963 July 3, 1961 July 4, 1958 July 4, 1876 July 5, 1957 July 7, 1906 July 8, 1942 July 9, 1950 July 13, 1943 July 13, 1950 July 15, 1962 July 15, 1953 July 16, 1929 July 17, 1946 July 18, 1891 July 23, 1941 July 24, 1934 July 25, 1967 July 26, 1936 July 26, 1955 July 26, 1971 July 26, 1959 July 28, 1960 July 28, 1955 July 29, 1963 July 29, 1899 July 31, 1952 July 31, 1967 August 1, 1911 August 1, 1959 August 2, 1944 August 4, 1921 August 6, 1963 August 7, 1964 August 7, 1954 August 9, 1971 August 11, 1970 August 13, 1961 August 13, 1903 August 14, 1965 August 17, 1854 August 19, 1959 August 20, 1950 August 21, 1953 August 23, 1943 August 23, 1936 August 23, 1928 August 24, 1985 August 24, 1940 August 26, 1942 August 26, 1968 August 26, 1944 August 27, 1906 August 29, 1962 August 30, 1952 30 August 1969 August 31, 1969 September 27, 1940 September 2, 1940 September 10, 1940 September 11, 1942 September 12, 1951 September 13, 1958 September 13, 1968 September 16, 1961 September 9, 1959 September 8, 1944 September 9, 1954 2 October 1889 – October 4, 1949 October 5, 1934 October 6, 1851 October 7, 1954 October 11, 1973 October 14, 1953 October 15, 1977 October 16, 1892 October 17, 1918 October 18, 1955 September 20, 1880 September 21, 1966 September 23, 1956 September 24, 1969 September 24, 1956 September 24, 1950 September 24, 1939 September 27, 1940 September 28, 1948 September 29, 1952 September 30, 1953 September 30, 1960 September 30, 1969 October 25, 1965 October 29, 1932 October 29, 1945 October 29, 1865 30 October 1871 31 October 1873 October 31, 1952 November 3, 1963 November 3, 1973 November 4, 1976 November 4, 1965 November 4, 1951 November 4, 1905 November 5, 1968 November 5, 1966 November 6, 1939 November 6, 1955 November 7, 1953 November 8, 1739 November 9, 1906 November 10, 1951 November 11, 1859 November 12, 1957 November 13, 1964 November 13, 1967 November 15, 1928 November 17, 1893 November 22, 1945 November 22, 1957 November 24, 1946 November 24, 1946 November 25, 1946 November 28, 1944 November 29, 1859 November 30, 1939 December 2, 1956 December 3, 1961 December 3, 1963 December 4, 1960 December 6, 1957 December 6, 1974 December 8, 1965 December 10, 1927 December 11, 1935 December 12, 1934 December 14, 1901 December 17, 1914 December 18, 1867 December 18, 1948 January 3, 1946 January 6, 1969 January 7, 1934 January 7, 1896 January 7, 1978 January 8, 1947 January 9, 1929 January 9, 1964 January 19, 1958 January 19, 1962 December 21, 1952 December 22, 1936 December 22, 1962 December 23, 1943 December 24, 1824 December 24, 1939 December 24, 1960 December 25, 1932 December 26, 1950 December 27, 1943 December 27, 1960 December 28, 1957 December 30, 1914 December 31, 1960 January 20, 1959 January 20, 1969 January 25, 1962 January 25, 1963 January 28, 1828 January 31, 1949 January 31, 1939 February 4, 1973 February 6, 1873 February 7, 1934 February 10, 1949 February 11, 1970 February 14, 1940 February 15, 1939 February 15, 1976 February 16, 1863 February 18, 1949 February 18, 1985 February 19, 1951 February 22, 1960 February 23, 1957 February 24, 1966 February 25, 1963 February 27, 1958 March 2, 1935 March 2, 1955 March 3, 1962 March 3, 1959 March 5, 1947 March 6, 1846 March 6, 1959 March 7, 1971 March 7, 1962 March 9, 1945 March 10, 1948 March 12, 1888 March 12, 1963 March 13, 1945 March 13, 1958 March 13, 1933 March 14, 1946 March 15, 1944 March 17, 1942 March 17, 1962 March 18, 1856 March 19, 1787 March 19, 1945 February 29, 1956 February 29, 1960 March 20, 1962 March 20, 1940 March 21, 1971 March 21, 1948 March 21, 1946 March 23, 1924 March 25, 1940 March 25, 1946 March 28, 1954 April 2, 1924 April 4, 1943 April 5, 1954 April 6, 1955 April 7, 1947 April 11, 1935 April 13, 1950 April 15, 1954 April 15, 1952 April 17, 1946 April 18, 1947 April 22, 1849 April 24, 1961 April 25, 1937 May 5, 1912 May 6, 1930 May 6, 1920 May 8, 1955 May 9, 1956 May 9, 1938 May 11, 1961 May 12, 1897 May 13, 1946 May 15, 1950 May 16, 1861 May 18, 1927 May 18, 1969 May 19, 1870 May 21, 1939 May 21, 1960 May 22, 1951 May 23, 1950 May 24, 1950 May 26, 1954 May 26, 1930 May 27, 1952 May 27, 1958 June 1, 1953 June 4, 1933 June 4, 1964 June 6, 1945 June 7, 1940 June 7, 1964 June 8, 1949 June 12, 1939 June 14, 1933 June 14, 1965 17 June 1954 |
Dates of Killings
1967–1994 1994–2004 1986–2007 1986–1995 1920–1929 1980–1999 1993 1982–1983 1989 2004–2006 1913–1917 1985–1991 1933–1937 1964 1989–1992 1986–1987 1977–1982 1993–1995 1982 1969–1982 1978–1980 1924–1950 1958–1981 1996–1998 1990 1972–1986 1980–1981 1996–1998 1981–1984 1991–1992 1981–1986 1996–1997 1920–1935 1986–1992 1990–1993 1967 1986–1999 1968–1969 1986–1989 1987 2007 1971–1992 1999 1997–2003 1999 1924–1928 1986–1987 1895–1901 2007–2009 1974–1992 1981–1983 1971–1979 1960–1983 1949–1968 2010 1958–1983 1980 1991–1992 1963–1974 1954–1957 1987 1985–2007 1994–1995 1997 1979 1958–1974 1981–1983 1972–1985 1969–1980 1987 1987–2009 1982–2004 1986–1987 1980–1982 1981–1997 1914–1915 1981 1977–1978 1869–1878 1985–1997 1987–1989 1984 2012–2013 1915–1920 1953–1970 1974–1986 1913–1944 2003–2004 1983–1985 ?–2015? 1986 1977–1978 1965–1977 1979 1979–1981 1979–1983 1983–1987 1987–1988 1988–1998 2000–2002 1971–1978 1983–1985 1883–1911 1900–1928 1910–1917 1970–1995 1980s–1990 2008 2016 1990–1994 1974–1978 1927–1954 1992–2003 1987–1998 1950s–1999 1984 1974–1982 1797–1803 1926–1928 1977–1978 1900–1908 1997 1994–1995 1989–1996 1945–1946 1931 1975–1990 1987–1988 1980–1990 1961–1978 1967–1980 1977–1982 1874 1962–1964 1980–1982 1997–1998 1997–2006 1991–1993 1994 1992–1993 1984–1999 1957–1958 1974–1975 1956–1975 1930–1947 1947–1949 1908–1911 1964–1973 1978–1991 1999–2000 1977–1994 1936–1938 1990s–2012 1979–1980 1982–1988 1997–2006 1990–2006 1986 1982–1984 1977–1978 1989–1993 1978–2002 1863–1877 1970–1973 1983–1985 1966–1967 1979–1981 1984–1999 1985–1986 1976–1979 1986–1989 2002 1989–1993 1990 1994 1986–1995 1850–1864 1984–1987 1968–1969 2006 1902–1910 1971 1974–1987 2003 1977–1978 1971–1983 1993–2008 1880–1885 1982–1998 2002 1969–1981 1988–2003 1971–2004 1984–1999 1996–2005 1980–2006 1963–1964 1976–1996 1998–2005 1981–1996 1976–1983 1860s–1869 1984–1986 2003–2016 1987 1974–1991 1980 1930–1945 1980–1982 1984 1990–1998 1953–1982 1984–1985 1986–1987 1972–1978 1984–1988 1876–1878 1834 1971–1983 1989–1990 1984–1985 1993–1999 1965–1983 2013–2014 1973–1986 1966–1992 1950–1957 1969–1991 1969–1973 1991–1996 1954–1955 1971–1983 1974–2003 1990–1995 1980–1996 1948–1986 1977–1980 1994–2003 1970–1987 1974 1972–1973 1873–1875 1993–1995 1967–1968 1947–1966 1979–1981 1947–1949 1978–1980 1970–1973 1948–1980 1997–1998 1926–1927 1965–1971 1983–1984 1891–1894 1949–1974 1985–1986 1924–1932 1977–1987 1978–1991 1977–1978 1977–1978 1977–1993 1989–1990 1951–1963 1975–1998 1979–1981 1976–1977 1975–1980 1986–1996 1972–1989 1970–2005 1982 1967–1974 1973–1996 1977–1996 1994–1995 1979–1986 |
Approx. Age
27 32 26 24 28 16 27 19 28 46 37 28 27 22 39 43 27 31 29 40 32 33 17 62 23 36 25 25 22 31 26 33 21 34 23 56 27 24 65 24 43 17 28 27 38 21 21 41 48 24 28 28 24 21 25 18 38 23 19 48 25 33 25 28 39 18 41 30 18 29 19 21 27 36 27 25 32 43 18 31 14 31 35 23 35 19 33 37 27 x 30 27 26 39 31 27 30 27 19 35 39 38 18 29 37 18 x 35 40 25 23 22 24 21 x 29 21 58 20 26 41 40 30 22 17 38 30 30 34 15 21 33 15 23 24 36 34 31 37 18 19 30 29 22 29 33 41 16 32 30 43 40 x 32 53 33 32 24 30 41 27 35 39 31 23 34 29 41 25 19 72 42 30 21 32 23 22 35 29 33 29 37 25 33 37 32 17 19 33 17 18 28 14 18 33 22 28 21 36 22 29 x 25 32 25 29 32 42 17 39 32 20 38 42 30 22 20 47 26 33 24 31 25 42 25 20 26 29 23 37 30 28 20 35 33 13 27 40 18 28 25 24 32 30 35 49 27 23 14 10 36 29 19 33 30 22 16 54 38 18 26 27 27 35 21 23 21 23 42 22 27 30 18 18 34 44 29 25 |