Ted Litschauer Jr.
Serial Killer Analysis
Social Commentary
The Hyde Park Horror:
Analysis of Bob Berdella
Bob Berdella’s house was a modern day torture chamber, a place where the unsuspecting came to die. Berdella was our everyday neighbor, a bright person, with a creative personality. But the crimes that he committed would sicken everyone who knew him and those that would come to learn of him; they would baffle the police and psychologist alike. Bob Berdella was the Hyde Park Horror, Kansas City’s own serial killer. Why did Berdella torture and kill six males? We will never completely understand why but we can gain somewhat of a better understanding by looking at the psychological, sociological and biological perspectives of his case.
Psychological
Bob Berdella suffered from a sociopathic, antisocial behavior disorder, a common trait of most serial murders. He was quiet, shy, and a loner, though he was friendly and had a sense of humor. Berdella had an average intelligence, but he was very creative. Quietness, shyness, and either higher intelligence or creative ability, are common characteristics found in serial killers. He excelled in art and earned a chance to attend a prestigious art school in Missouri. Bob Berdella also, during his art career, killed a chicken for shock value. The torture of animals, especially during childhood, is a typical behavior of future serial killers. This early behavior shows their disregard for life in general, and begins to desensitize them to actions of violence. Many do it for the fun, or the chance to learn, but Berdella did it for shock, for the attention. Berdella dehumanized his victims with torture. This dehumanization is a common serial killer trait.
Sociological
Berdella grew up for most of his life in a fatherless household. He was smart and won scholarships to art schools. As a child he went to school, watched movies, and drank. Just as many children do. But over time he became less and less social. He grew more and more reclusive. Bob Berdella was a con artist, a showman, and non-conformist. His friends never suspected his odd behavior. While he was in school people felt sorry for him, an apathetic attitude towards him. Though Berdella was of average intelligent, his friendly sense of humor helped him cope socially. This would soon be used to lure young men to their deaths.
Biological
Once again we have a serial killer who delights in dark sexual fantasies. Berdella was cunning, manipulative, and irrational. Mentally he suffered from a sociopathic, anti social disorder. He had a fetish for sadist, bondage and tortures activities. He used male prostitutes and run a ways as his victims.
In conclusion we must use our knowledge from this case to help us identify future serial killers. Much can be learned from the Berdella case. If we cannot fully explain why bob committed these crimes, we may be able to somewhat understand him and learn from this Hyde Park Horror.
