Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Aileen Wuornos, murder of seven men, is the only serial female killer in U.S. criminal history to be classified as a sexual predator. The paper goes on to relate Wuornos' life, which was devastated by abandonment, childhood sexual abuse and a sense of worthlessness and evil from which she lost all ability to feel empathy for others. The paper uses attachment theory to analyze these factors that led to Wuornos' unique life as a serial killer.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Serial killers
Wournos as Serial Killer
Attachment Theory
The Life of Aileen Wournos
Early Life and Childhood
Relationship with Grandfather
Later Childhood and Teenage Years
Young Adulthood
Relationship with Tyria Moore
Wournos' Criminal Career
The Murder of Richard Mallory
Modus Operandi
Arrest, Trial and Conviction
Conflicting Testimony
Verdict and Sentence
Arlene Pralle
Execution
Analysis and Conclusion
Attachment Theory Applied to Aileen Wuornos' Case
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"According to Bruce Arrigo, the most damage to Wournos was at the hands of her grandfather, Lauri. What Aileen learned from him was that she was wicked, worthless and hated by those who should have loved her; those who should love her inflict pain; life is about terror, rejection and pain; and that others cannot be trusted. By developing such an "internal working model" of herself, Wournos lost all ability to feel empathy for others; she was in essence, emotionally "dead," the detachment from others being the only way to protect herself from others."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arrigo, B.A. and A. Griffin. "Serial Murder and the Case of Aileen Wuornos: AttachmentTheory, Psychopathy, and Predatory Aggression." Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 22: 375-393. 2004.
• Associated Press. "Highway Killer Pleads No Contest To 3 Slayings." The Miami Herald, April 1, 1992.
• Associated Press. "Roadside Killer Handed 3 More Death Sentences." The Miami Herald, May 16, 1992.
• Associated Press. "Wuornos Sentencing Set Nov. 3." The Miami Herald, September 19, 1992.
• Bankston, John. "Aileen Lee Wournos". Police. Redondo Beach. Jan. 1996. Vol. 20. Issue 1; pp 51.

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