Kenneth Bianchi

KennethBianchi 1979

Kenneth Bianchi is an American serial killer, kidnapper, and rapist. He is known for being one of the "Hillside Stranglers," along with his cousin Angelo Buono Jr.. The duo was responsible for the murder of ten young women in Los Angeles between 1977 and 1978. Bianchi's crimes, which initially baffled the police due to the lack of physical evidence at the crime scenes, were eventually solved through a combination of forensic and psychological profiling.

Early Life

Kenneth Alessio Bianchi was born on May 22, 1951, in Rochester, New York. He was adopted by Nicholas Bianchi and Frances Scioliono-Bianchi. Bianchi had a troubled childhood, marked by signs of psychopathy and antisocial personality disorder. He often lied, displayed a lack of empathy, and engaged in manipulative behavior. Despite his intelligence, Bianchi's academic performance was inconsistent, and he dropped out of college after one semester.

Crimes

In 1977, Bianchi moved to Los Angeles, where he lived with his cousin Angelo Buono. The pair began a spree of kidnappings, rapes, and murders, targeting young women. Their modus operandi involved posing as police officers or using fake badges to gain their victims' trust before abducting them. The victims were then sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered. The bodies were disposed of on the hillsides of Los Angeles, earning Bianchi and Buono the moniker "Hillside Stranglers."

Capture and Trial

Bianchi was arrested on January 12, 1979, after attempting to abduct two female students who managed to escape and provided descriptions to the police. Following his arrest, Bianchi initially tried to feign multiple personality disorder to avoid conviction but was eventually found competent to stand trial. He later agreed to testify against Buono in exchange for a plea deal that spared him the death penalty. Bianchi was convicted of five counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Aftermath

Kenneth Bianchi's case is notable for its use of psychological profiling in capturing and convicting him and his cousin. It also highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with serial crimes, particularly those involving multiple perpetrators. Bianchi is currently serving his sentence in the Washington State Penitentiary.

In Popular Culture

The crimes of the Hillside Stranglers have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films, reflecting the public's fascination with true crime and the psychology of serial killers.