Richard Kuklinski: A Serial Killer

Serial killers are very well-know people because of their gruesome murders that they commit. The definition of a serial killer is “a person who commits a series of murders, often with no apparent motive and typically following a characteristic, predictable behavior pattern” (“Oxford Definitions”). One person, whom some may think does not fit that description of a serial killer was Richard Kuklinski. Richard Kuklinski, seen by many people as more of a mobster because of his involvement with the mafia, was indeed a serial killer. Even though he was a hitman, he matched the definition of a serial killer. He was a killer at heart and he had even confirmed that he killed over 200 individuals over a thirty-year period (YouTube). With this said, he is probably one of the most successful serial killers there has ever been. Kuklinski’s early life growing up definitely could have played a big part in him becoming a serial killer. He grew up in a very abusive family ("Richard "The Iceman" Kuklinski”). His father, Stanley Kuklinski, was an alcoholic and regularly beat Richard and his siblings (YouTube). Richard’s mother also would beat Richard and his siblings often. At the age of five, Stanley Kuklinski beat Richard’s brother Florian to death ("Richard "The Iceman" Kuklinski”). Stanley told his wife Anna to call the hospital and say Florian fell down the stairs ("Richard "The Iceman" Kuklinski”). Following that, Stanley

An undercover agent had been working with Kuklinski for a while, Kuklinski eventually made the wrong move, and it cost him. He was caught in 1986 (Blanco). After long court cases he was sentenced to life prison in 1988 (Blanco). He did many documentaries within the prison walls talking about his own life and how he felt throughout his life. He would eventually die in 2006 from what his family thought was poisoning (Blanco). They still are not to this day sure what exactly killed Richard