Why Do Serial Killers Keep Trophies?

Have you ever wondered why a serial killer takes a bracelet, cuts off an earlobe, or extracts and collects the urine from a recently deceased victim? The answer will surely horrify you.

In the recesses of dark criminal psychology, the trophies of serial killers offer an unsettling glimpse into their warped minds. For them, these macabre keepsakes are not mere objects but powerful symbols that preserve the thrill of their crimes. From strands of hair to stolen jewellery, even more grotesque items like body parts, these trophies serve as tokens of dominance, control, and memory, satisfying a deep psychological need.

“They are dark mementos of murders.” – Michael.

Take Ed Gein, the infamous murderer whose gruesome collection included human skin crafted into household items. For Gein, these trophies were more than artifacts—they were part of a delusional attempt to resurrect his deceased mother, whom he idolised. His “creations” reflected a chilling intersection of grief, obsession, and madness.

Similarly, Ted Bundy, one of history’s most notorious serial killers, kept personal items such as clothing from his victims. These tokens allowed him to relive the crime in his mind, granting him a semblance of power long after the act was committed. Bundy’s trophies symbolised control over his victims, ensuring they remained, in his mind, eternally subjugated to his will.

Mitchell Felding kept his victim’s SIM cards and reshaped them into animal-shaped charms for his wife’s bracelet. These wearable symbols were a way to reassert his masculinity, damaged by an overbearing partner who frequently berated him and denied him sex. He told state therapists, “It gave him immense joy whenever she wore the SIM bracelet.”

Then there’s Jeffrey Dahmer, who preserved body parts in his Milwaukee apartment. For Dahmer, these trophies were tied to his fantasy of creating a compliant, eternal companion—someone who would never leave him. His need for control and the fear of abandonment drove him to create his nightmarish keepsakes.

Experts suggest that these trophies hold a dual purpose. On one hand, they serve as anchors for memory, allowing the killer to relive the “glory” of their crimes. On the other, they provide a sense of mastery over their victims, even in death. Unlike common thieves, who steal for profit, serial killers often choose items of sentimental or symbolic value, further demonstrating their profound psychological disconnect from societal norms.

Ultimately, these trophies are chilling reminders of the killers’ crimes, preserving their twisted legacies and offering criminologists crucial insights into the dark corridors of their minds. While deeply disturbing, understanding the role of trophies in a serial killer’s psyche can help unravel the complex interplay of obsession, memory, and control that drives such heinous acts.

–Michael.

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