New Jersey is a beautiful state and home to wonderful people - anyone who lives here knows that. But the state has a dark side, too, and there are many scary stories linked to the area. These killers in particular, who were deceptive nurses, murderous husbands, alleged mafia hitmen, and more, committed crime sprees that haunt the state to this day.
1. Richard Kuklinski became known as "the Iceman" after he froze the body of one of his victims.
Kuklinski, who later claimed he was a mafia hitman, was involved in all sorts of criminal activities, including operating a burglary ring. He killed multiple people for profit -- officially he is credited with five murderers, although he's since claimed to be responsible for the killings of Jimmy Hoffa and other mob bosses. He's been featured in multiple movies and documentaries.
2. John List killed his entire family. but it took 18 years and "America's Most Wanted" to bring him to justice.
List killed his own wife, mother, and three children at their home in Westfield in 1971, later claiming he shot them all to death because he believed they were no longer behaving in accordance with their religion. He then fled and changed his identity, even remarrying. In 1989, his story was told on "America's Most Wanted" and he was finally captured. He would later die in prison.
3. "The Torso Killer" is the nickname given to Richard Cottingham.
He tortured and murdered two sex workers in New York City in 1979, and was eventually caught torturing another sex worker in a New Jersey motel. He got his nickname after he dismembered his two victims and set the torsos on fire. He eventually confessed to being responsible for several other murders -- in fact, earlier this year he pled guilty to raping and murdering two more teenage girls. Officially, he has been found responsible for 11 murders.
4. Richard Biegenwald terrorized Monmouth County for about 25 years.
Richard Biegenwald is responsible for at least six murders and potentially up to eight. He typically shot and stabbed his victims. He died in prison in 2008.
5. Charles Cullen is New Jersey's most prolific serial killer.
While working as a nurse, Cullen killed at least 40 patients during his 16-year career. It's speculated the number could be much higher than that, into the hundreds. He gave his patients lethal overdoses, later claiming he was trying to ease their suffering. He was sentenced to life in prison in 2006. A movie about him called "The Good Nurse" is currently in the works.
These are just a few of the most infamous crimes to occur in New Jersey.
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