From Ted Bundy to the BTK Killer, here are the 7 most chilling phone calls made by serial killers.
The Zodiac Killer
On October 22, 1969, a man claiming to be the Zodiac Killer called into Jim Dunbar’s live television show. The guest on the show was the famed attorney Melvin Belli. Mr. Dunbar’s operator patched the caller through, allowing the entire Bay Area to hear Zodiac’s voice. It was suggested that the caller be referred to as Sam during the conversation.
Later that day, the only three people who had heard the real Zodiac’s voice—Nancy Slover, David Slaight, and Bryan Hartnell—were brought to the studios of KGO-TV to see if they could recognize the caller’s voice. Unfortunately, they couldn’t.
“I felt that the voice on the tape was not as deep and as old as Zodiac’s,” said Bryan Hartnell. Nancy Slover, a Vallejo police dispatcher who fielded a call from the Zodiac in July, said Sam’s voice was “too pitiful and pathetic to be the Zodiac.”
The calls were eventually traced to a mental patient named Eric Weil.
The Original Night Stalker
The Golden State Killer became infamous for a twisted trait: taunting authorities and even his victims before and after the attacks via phone.
Although over 10 phone calls are attributed to the Original Night Stalker, only 3 of them have been caught on tape.
1977 “Never Gonna Catch Me” Call
On December 2, 1977, a man claiming to be the rapist called the Sacramento Police, saying, “You’re never gonna catch me, East Area Rapist, you dumb fuckers, I’m gonna fuck again tonight. Careful!”
The call was recorded and later released to the public. That same night, the killer attacked his next victim.
1978 “Is Ray There?” and “Gonna Kill You” Call
On January 2, 1978, the first known rape victim received a wrong-number call asking for “Ray”.
The soft-spoken caller didn’t raise an alarm until later that evening when the phone rang again. This time, the victim instantly identified the voice of her assailant, who said, “Gonna kill you … gonna kill you … gonna kill you … bitch … bitch … bitch … bitch … fuckin’ whore.”
The “BTK Killer” Dennis Rader
On December 9, 1977, a 25-year-old Wichita resident named Nancy Fox was found dead in her home, partially clothed, lying face down on the bed with her hands and feet bound with nylon stockings.
The only lead police had was a mysterious man who called them that morning to report the horrific crime he had committed.
Transcript:
Operator #1: “Dispatcher”
BTK: “Yes. You will find a homicide at 843 South Pershing. Nancy Fox.”
Operator #1: I’m sorry sir I can’t understand you. What is the address?
Operator #2: I believe 843 South Pershing…
BTK: “That is correct.”
Weepy-Voiced Killer
An eerie collection of tearful and taunting 911 calls made by the “Weepy-Voiced Killer,” Paul Michael Stephani.
Ted Bundy
Following his recapture in June 1977, Ted Bundy called psychologist Dr. Al Carlisle to discuss his escape from the Pitkin County Courthouse.
“Over the months, I had noticed a number of opportunities to just walk right out. I’d thought a great deal about escape, and I don’t know if I had the guts to do it, quite frankly,” Bundy told the psychologist.
“The guard went outside for a smoke. The windows are open, and the fresh air is blowing through. And the sky was blue, and I said, ‘I’m ready to go,’ and walked to the window and jumped out,” Bundy told Carlisle. “Honest to god, I just got sick and tired of being locked up.”
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