Serial Killer Cop - Gerard Schaefer Jr.

The "Hangman" or "Killer Cop", aka Gerard John Schaefer Jr., a former sheriff's deputy and suspected serial killer active in Florida in the '70s

Gerald John Schaefer was an American serial killer and former police officer who gained notoriety for his heinous crimes during the 1960s and 1970s. Born on March 25, 1946, in Wisconsin, Schaefer was convicted of multiple murders, though the exact number remains uncertain.

Schaefer's early life appeared ordinary, and he served in the U.S. Army before becoming a police officer in Martin County, Florida. His law enforcement career took a dark turn as he began committing violent crimes, often targeting young women.

One of the most disturbing aspects of Schaefer's case was his fascination with torture and brutality. He claimed to have a "slave farm" where he purportedly held captive women, subjecting them to unspeakable acts of violence. However, authorities were never able to verify the existence of such a farm.

The most significant breakthrough in the case came when Schaefer was arrested for the assault of two teenage girls in 1972. During the investigation, evidence linking him to the disappearance of two missing women, Susan Place and Georgia Jessup, was discovered. Schaefer was subsequently charged with their murders.

In 1973, Schaefer was convicted of the murders of Place and Jessup and received two life sentences. However, this was just the beginning of his legal troubles. While in prison, Schaefer faced additional charges related to the disappearance of other women.

Despite the evidence against him, Schaefer maintained his innocence, and his erratic behavior only fueled the belief that he might be responsible for more crimes than those for which he had been convicted. He even wrote a book titled "Killer Fiction," which contained violent and disturbing stories that some believed might be based on his own experiences.

Gerald John Schaefer's notoriety extended beyond his crimes due to his writings and his attempts to manipulate the legal system. In 1995, he was murdered by a fellow inmate at the Florida State Prison. The full extent of Schaefer's crimes may never be known, leaving a chilling legacy of brutality and darkness.