The four Archetypes of Serial Killers

Harold Schester, an American true crime writer, examined serial killers, their victims, and their motives by separating them into four categories in his book The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers.

According to Schester, there is no clear-cut definition or recipe for a serial killer, but it is possible to divide them into four archetypes: power & control, visionary, missionary, and hedonistic. Here are the descriptions.

Power & Control

Many of the serial killers that we have seen in history fall under this category. The main motive for this type of serial killer is complete sexual gratification from the domination and humiliation of the victim. Dominating their victims and taking away their lives give them a feeling of empowerment. 

Visionary

These people often suffer from psychosis which causes them to lose touch with reality by making them hear voices and hallucinate. A visionary serial killer is somebody that kills because they believe that a person and entity is commanding them to do so. They often pick random targets and lack planning. In other words, Unlike the other killers, they don’t have a type. They have little or no effort to cover up crimes.  

Herbert Mullin is an example of a Visionary serial killer who killed 13 people between 1972 and 1973. His delusions led him to believe that a massive earthquake would strike California if nature did not receive his sacrifice.

Richard Chase is another example of the Visionary archetype. His delusions made him believe that his blood was turning into powder, and he needed to replenish it by drinking the blood of others.

Mission-oriented 

A mission-oriented serial killer is somebody who kills in order to provide for their community by targeting a specific group of people. The biggest difference between mission-oriented serial killers and visionary serial killers is that they do not suffer from psychosis. They are in touch with reality, and they want to “rid” society of a specific group of people. They are organized, and they plan their crimes. They kill quickly and efficiently. Mission killers do not have any attempts to prolong the kill or get further enjoyment out of it. The crime scene doesn’t contain signs of sadism or torture. Their motive is their feelings of revenge and hatred. 

Joseph Paul Franklin is a good example of this archetype. Between 1977 and 1980, he targeted black and Jewish people by believing that race mixing was a crime against god.

Hedonistic serial kill

Hedonistic serial killers kill for pleasure. They can be driven by sex, money, or the thrill of the kill itself. What makes them different from the power & control archetype is the fact that they make a strong connection with the victim. They often fantasize about violence and use hands or knives instead of a gun. Witnessing their fear gives them pleasure.