Serial Killer of the Month: Andrei Chikatilo “The Red Ripper”
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As fear rose from her body like steam, he pushed her to the ground. She struggled against him, but her futile efforts and terrified screams were like an aphrodisiac to him. He shoved dirt in her mouth and punched her about her head and face, finally strangling her to death. Her fear of absolute terror brought about a sensation that he was not accustomed to but nevertheless craved. As his sexual excitement rose in unison with her terror, they both came to their final climax — her death — his sexual release.
He was Andrei Chikatilo, Russia’s first and one of the world’s worst serial killers, nicknamed “The Red Ripper.” She was Larisa Tkachenco, Chikatilo’s second victim. Her only reason for death was being 12 years old and very naive. Chikatilo was born on October 16, 1936 in Yablochnoye, which was a very rich land, until Stalin invaded and killed anyone who resisted except those who escaped or were banished. According to Chikatilo, his grandfather was banished, and from there the Chikatilo’s lived a very poor life filled with famine and fear. His mother became very bitter and dominating, his older brother was eaten by starving neighbors and his father was branded and eventually died as a trader to his country, (he didn’t mention his sister much).
He blamed his ‘abnormalities’ on these facts and never confided them to anyone throughout his life until his arrest. His wife of 27 years (Feodisa) and two children (which authorities were amazed at, due to the fact he was totally impotent all his life) had no idea of what their loved one was capable of and actually engaged in. It wasn’t until the confession from Andrei himself, that they came to the horrible realization of what he was. Chikatilo brutally murdered 55 women and children. Starting with a 9-year-old child named Yelna Zakotnova in 1978, who he lured to a squalid house he’d kept as a secret den for perverse sexual experimentation, and had his first encounter with sexual gratification. Andrei was so unnerved by this first encounter that he did not repeat it until three years later with Larisa, at which he finally came to the realization that he was meant to be a killer, and at that moment the worst serial killer in modern history embraced his calling with a vengeance.
Chikatilo went on the first few years perfecting his only ‘talent’, becoming very proficient at what he had chosen to do in his spare time, right down to successfully eluding officials in the largest manhunt in Russian history and maintaining his facade of normality for 12 years.
He was not a successful man and all his life he was ridiculed and despised by those who encountered him. He was extremely shy particularly with girls, almost to the point of terror. He wet his bed until age 12 and was teased in youth for being called ‘Baba’ (woman). He tried to get into a reputable college and he was denied (which he blames on his fathers standing). He finally got into a trade college and graduated with high marks and a teaching degree. He got a job as a teacher (a highly respected profession) but was fired for inappropriate advances towards female children.
Chikatilo did not despair, he finally got the job he was suited for, a traveling salesman, which allowed him to come and go without notice. It was during this time he embraced his passions with a frenzy. He started killing two or four times a year but quickly graduated to one or two a week. With each murder he became more vicious, at first the victim’s weakness was enough to bring about sexual release, but eventually his release came only with more perverse and horrid actions like cutting them open while they were still alive and taking out their sexual organs and eyes. Then he would either eat them, or shove them back into the bodies, while the victims would scream and fight for their lives.
Chikatilo was finally arrested on November 11, 1990 and showed no remorse or reaction during his trial until the verdict and sentence was passed, at which he yelled “Why me? I demand the podium! Get me a lawyer! I didn’t confess to anything! Show me the Corpses.” He evidently forgot everything he said and showed them including his own analysis of himself when he said “I am a mistake of nature, I deserve to be done away with.” Andrei’s final sentencing came on October 15, 1992, exactly one day before his 56th birthday, when he finally received a bullet in the back of the head. The Red Ripper’s era was finally over.
Note: Russian authorities didn’t believe it possible for them to have a serial killer, that in itself hindered the investigation. However if they would have considered the possibility could he have been stopped earlier, and could many shattered lives have been spared? —Tanya Cintron
Read more from the SLUG Archives:
Serial Killer of the Month: Richard Speck
Girls Against Boys
