| Serial murder has been widely studied across criminology, psychology, sociology, and
other disciplines, yet the impact of adult interpersonal relationships on a serial killer’s active
killing period remains largely underexplored. This study examines how significant and persistent
relationships—familial, romantic, and platonic—affect factors such as kill frequency, victim
count, and killing career longevity. Using data from the Radford/Florida Gulf Coast University
Serial Killer Database, this research applies the age-graded theory authored by Sampson and
Laub to assess the role of social bonds and life milestones in shaping homicidal patterns.
Findings indicate that serial killers’ interpersonal relationships have limited influence
over the length of their killing careers, the frequency of their kills, and the total number of
victims. Findings reveal unexpected patterns, challenge existing theories on serial homicide, and
highlight the need for further interdisciplinary research on the role of personal relationships in
shaping violent offenders’ actions.
This study highlights the complex interplay between personal relationships and serial
offending, suggesting that social bonds may influence the duration and intensity of a killer’s
crimes. However, the correlations are not strong in this sample, suggesting that factors beyond
relationships have a more significant influence. These findings contribute to a broader
understanding of serial murder and emphasize the need for further interdisciplinary research.
Keywords: Serial killers, Age-graded theory, Killing career(s), Relationship(s), Victim(s) |