You’d think that some of the world’s most deadliest men would not see an ounce of romance once locked up behind bars. But that’s far from the case in reality.
Despite committing deprived acts against other humans, serial killers and cold blooded murderers seem to attract women in their masses – even though their ghastly crimes are known to the world.
While many people love to consume true-crime, others like to be a part of it by connecting with the actual perpetrators and perusing relationships with them. But why?
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Recently, the Menendez brothers sent the online world into a frenzy after a dramatization of their life – including murdering their parents – was released on Netflix.
(Image: Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Many people have started to read up on the case and their lives – like how they found their soulmates and tied the knot behind bars.
They’re not the only ones either; bonkers cult chief Charles Manson was all set to marry a young fan during his time in the clink, and Richard Ramirez, dubbed the “Night Stalker,” bagged a magazine editor who got the hots for him while she was writing up his antics.
This bizarre trend begs the question – why? Why do some women fall for men who have senselessly murdered other women?
Leah Levi is a psychologist and love expert at Flure – the app where you can safely explore your ‘wildest curiosities’. And the expert reckons this fresh obsession might let slip our hidden desire for the off-limits relationships and the ‘soft spot’ for criminals.
Leah explained that some women could have the hots for murderous men due to hybristophilia, which is the sexual attraction and interest to those who commit crimes.
“Attraction to someone society has deemed an outcast can sometimes come from a sense of wanting to ‘rescue’ or ‘fix’ that person,” psychologist shared.
“They might feel that their unique understanding or love can inspire real change, creating a sense of purpose and exclusivity.
“Incarcerated individuals are physically distant, creating structured boundaries that make the connection feel stable.”
This distance enables women to idealise the relationship, filling it with profound, expressive letters and a sense of mystery, which can nurture a more intense emotional bond. They also have physical boundaries, creating an ironic sense of ‘safety’.
And what makes cases like the Menendez brothers so captivating? Leah thinks the media portrayal has a significant part to play.
The expert said: “When we see convicted individuals portrayed with nuance, it creates a sense of empathy and fascination.
“With Menendez’s tragic family history and the sensationalized nature of their trial, they may have seemed like misunderstood figures, making them all the more intriguing to those who wanted to believe they were reaching out to the real person behind the bars.
“It’s the combination of a safe, structured relationship and a chance to connect with someone who may seem to need love and support that keeps people invested, giving them a sense of purpose that might be missing from their other relationships.”
So in summary, the five reasons are:
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Hybristophilia
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Wanting to ‘fix’ them
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Wanting to ‘rescue’ them
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Boundaries
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Sense of purpose