Who Is Considered the Biggest Serial Killer of All Time
Historians and criminologists often cite Dr. Harold Shipman as the deadliest proven serial killer. He was a British general practitioner convicted of murdering multiple patients. Investigators later identified a much larger number of suspicious deaths linked to his career.
How Many People Were Killed
Official court records confirm 15 murders, but independent reviews suggest the true number may exceed 200. The scale of the killings was uncovered after families and colleagues raised concerns about unusually high death rates among his patients.
How the Case Was Uncovered
The investigation began after a routine audit flagged inconsistencies in death certificates. Police later exhumed several victims and found traces of lethal diamorphine doses. Shipman was convicted in 2000 and died in prison in 2004. For more details on the investigation, see BBC coverage of the Shipman case.
