#Article - Understanding the Motivations of Female #SerialKillers

In part one of this four-part series, we highlighted the rise of female serial killers and the history behind their lack of recognition and documentation. In this second part, we will explore the motivations of female serial killers.

Research has shown that the motivations behind female serial killers vary from those of male serial killers. Additionally, studies demonstrate that female serial killers often engage in less violent and less aggressive methods of killing compared to male serial killers.

The following are some of the most common motivations behind female serial killers:

Money or Financial Gain

One of the prevalent motivations behind female serial killers is financial gain. Women who are struggling financially or living in poverty may turn to murder to make up for their lack of income. Female serial killers often use methods such as insurance fraud or inheritance scams to gain financial benefit from their crimes.

Attention Seeking

Female serial killers may sometimes commit murders to obtain attention. Women may have a strong need to feel wanted, recognized, or admired and may commit serial killings to obtain this attention. This kind of motivation is more common in women than men.

Revenge

Another motivation for female serial killers is revenge. Women who have suffered abuse, rape, or other forms of trauma may turn to revenge killings as a method of taking back their power and holding those responsible accountable. This kind of motivation often results from prior trauma experiences, making women more susceptible than men.

Sexual Motivations

Although not as common as in males, sexual motivation can be present among female serial killers. Women who take pleasure in manipulating or dominating their sexual partners may engage in serial killing to gratify themselves. However, this motivation is not always present, and it’s pertinent to note that most female sexual offenders are different from serial killers.

Female serial killers offer distinct reasons and motivations behind the crimes they commit. While men often present violent or aggressive behavior, women often use less violent or more controlled methods. As such, the motivations that drive them differ as well, and money, attention-seeking, revenge, and sexual desires are some of the reasons that women cite in committing serial murder. Examining the motivations of women who engage in serial killing can allow for a better understanding of these crimes and may inform preventative measures. In part three of this series, we will discuss the psychological factors involved in female serial killer behavior.

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