All the real serial killers and convicted murderers featured on Netflix's 'Mindhunter'

Kim RenfroSep 26, 2020, 05:03 IST

Netflix/Wikimedia Commons

Warning: Minor spoilers ahead for Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two.
Netflix's inspired-by-true-events drama series "Mindhunter" features actors playing real convicted killers.
The second season features fictionalized interviews with David Berkowitz, William Joseph Pierce Jr., Charles Manson, Wayne Williams, and more.

Netflix's true-crime centric thriller series "Mindhunter" was inspired by the true story of how the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit began studying psychopaths and serial killers in the late 1970s. While the names of the special agents involved were changed, several of the convicted murderers they interview are pulled straight from history.

Keep reading for a look at the 13 major convicted criminals featured in the show to see how their fictional versions stack up to the real people.

Warning: The below article contains descriptions of graphic violence.

Edmund Kemper, the "Co-Ed Killer," was found guilty of ten counts of murder, as well as dismemberment and necrophilia.

Cameron Britton as Ed Kemper, and Kemper in real life. Netflix/Serial Killer Documentaries/YouTube

Monte Rissell sexually assaulted 12 women and murdered five before he was arrested at age 19 and sent to a correctional facility.

Rissell is played by Sam Strike on "Mindhunter." Netflix

Jerry Brudos strangled four women in the 1960s. He was known as the "Lust Killer" or the "Salem shoe-fetish killer."

Brudos is played by Happy Anderson on "Mindhunter." Netflix

Richard Speck murdered eight student nurses in one night in 1966.

Speck is played by Jack Erdie on "Mindhunter." Netflix/AP

Dennis Rader, aka the "BTK Killer," was active in Kansas from 1974 to 1991.

Rader is played by Sonny Valicenti. Netflix/AP

David Berkowitz, also called "Son of Sam," pleaded guilty to eight shootings which killed a total of six people in New York City.

Actor Oliver Cooper plays David Berkowitz on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix and AP Images

William Pierce Jr. was charged with the murder of 10 people, one of whom was the 13-year-old daughter of a state senator.

Actor Michael Filipowich plays William Joseph Pierce Jr. on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix and Bettmann/Getty Images

William Henry Hance was convicted of killing three women in 1978 and had his death sentence carried out in 1994.

Actor Corey Allen as William Henry Hance on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix

Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. was convicted for the murder of 27 young men and boys in 1974.

Actor Robert Aramayo plays Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix and Bettmann/Getty Images

Charles Manson was not a serial killer like many of the other "Mindhunter" murderers were, but he was charged for orchestrating the deaths of seven people.

Actor Damon Harriman plays Charles Manson on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix and PA Images/Getty Images

Charles "Tex" Watson was one of Manson's followers who carried out plans to kill several people.

Actor Christopher Backus plays Charles "Tex" Watson on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix and Bettmann/Getty Images

Paul Bateson was convicted of one murder, and prosecutors initially implicated him in a series of other deaths but no additional charges were brought.

Actor Morgan Kelly as Paul Bateson on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix

Wayne Williams was convicted for the murder of two adults, and the deaths and disappearances of over 20 children were attributed to him by authorities though no charges were brought.

Actor Christopher Livingston as Wayne Williams on Netflix's "Mindhunter" season two. Netflix and Bettmann/Getty Images

Wayne Williams was convicted for the murder of two adults, and the deaths and disappearances of over 20 children were attributed to him by authorities though no charges were brought.

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All the real serial killers and convicted murderers featured on Netflix's 'Mindhunter'

Edmund Kemper, the "Co-Ed Killer," was found guilty of ten counts of murder, as well as dismemberment and necrophilia.

Monte Rissell sexually assaulted 12 women and murdered five before he was arrested at age 19 and sent to a correctional facility.

Jerry Brudos strangled four women in the 1960s. He was known as the "Lust Killer" or the "Salem shoe-fetish killer."

Richard Speck murdered eight student nurses in one night in 1966.

Dennis Rader, aka the "BTK Killer," was active in Kansas from 1974 to 1991.

David Berkowitz, also called "Son of Sam," pleaded guilty to eight shootings which killed a total of six people in New York City.

William Pierce Jr. was charged with the murder of 10 people, one of whom was the 13-year-old daughter of a state senator.

William Henry Hance was convicted of killing three women in 1978 and had his death sentence carried out in 1994.

Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. was convicted for the murder of 27 young men and boys in 1974.

Charles Manson was not a serial killer like many of the other "Mindhunter" murderers were, but he was charged for orchestrating the deaths of seven people.

Charles "Tex" Watson was one of Manson's followers who carried out plans to kill several people.

Paul Bateson was convicted of one murder, and prosecutors initially implicated him in a series of other deaths but no additional charges were brought.

Wayne Williams was convicted for the murder of two adults, and the deaths and disappearances of over 20 children were attributed to him by authorities though no charges were brought.