Infamous Murders: Bizarre Murders
Coming Soon
Murder, whatever the motive, is a truly terrible crime. Perhaps the most disturbing cases are the ones that remain unsolved, so our need for understanding is never satisfied. Why do such things happen, and why are some murders simply bizarre?
On the 13th November 1974 in Amityville, 35 miles east of New York City six members of the Defeo family - parents and four out of five children - were found shot dead in their beds.
Eldest son Ronald Defeo was the only survivor. After a few hours of questioning Ronald finally broke down and confessed to all six murders. He had shot his whole family, close range. He claimed that once he had started killing he could not stop. His motive? Greed - he hoped to inherit his father's fortune.
The day after Christmas in 1985 Dian Fossey was found hacked to death in her cabin at the Karisoke Research Centre in the Rwandan mountains. A scientist, Fossey had spent 20 years studying endangered gorillas in the region.
Fossey regularly destroyed snares and traps left by local poachers. She was loathed by locals who made their living by slaughtering the guerrillas. They saw her as a serious threat to their livelihood, and although it is likely she was murdered by poachers, no one was ever charged with Fossey's brutal murder.
On the 18th June 1982, Robert Calvi, known as 'God's Banker' because of his position as head of Italy's largest privately owned bank, was found hanging from a section of scaffolding just underneath Blackfriars Bridge in London.
A month later an inquest ruled that Calvi had committed suicide. Further investigations unveiled a very corrupt past. He appeared to have upset numerous influential Italian families, including the heads of the Vatican Bank.
When he left his Rome apartment in June 1982, it is believed he already feared for his life. The manner of his unusual death still remains a mystery, and even today many question the verdict of suicide.
On the 13th November 1974 in Amityville, 35 miles east of New York City six members of the Defeo family - parents and four out of five children - were found shot dead in their beds.
Eldest son Ronald Defeo was the only survivor. After a few hours of questioning Ronald finally broke down and confessed to all six murders. He had shot his whole family, close range. He claimed that once he had started killing he could not stop. His motive? Greed - he hoped to inherit his father's fortune.
The day after Christmas in 1985 Dian Fossey was found hacked to death in her cabin at the Karisoke Research Centre in the Rwandan mountains. A scientist, Fossey had spent 20 years studying endangered gorillas in the region.
Fossey regularly destroyed snares and traps left by local poachers. She was loathed by locals who made their living by slaughtering the guerrillas. They saw her as a serious threat to their livelihood, and although it is likely she was murdered by poachers, no one was ever charged with Fossey's brutal murder.
On the 18th June 1982, Robert Calvi, known as 'God's Banker' because of his position as head of Italy's largest privately owned bank, was found hanging from a section of scaffolding just underneath Blackfriars Bridge in London.
A month later an inquest ruled that Calvi had committed suicide. Further investigations unveiled a very corrupt past. He appeared to have upset numerous influential Italian families, including the heads of the Vatican Bank.
When he left his Rome apartment in June 1982, it is believed he already feared for his life. The manner of his unusual death still remains a mystery, and even today many question the verdict of suicide.
SPECIAL FEATURES
