Episode 26 :The Times Square Killer: The Chilling Tale of Richard Cottingham

The She Sees Weird People Podcast

In this gripping episode of "She Sees Weird People," hosts Leasa, Faith, and Sharon delve into the chilling story of Richard Cottingham, infamously known as the Times Square Killer and the torso Killer. Join Sharon as she leads the conversation, unraveling the dark and twisted path of one of America's most notorious serial killers.

The episode explores Cottingham's early life, his dual existence as a family man and a ruthless murderer, and the shocking brutality of his crimes. With detailed accounts of his victims, including both tragic losses and miraculous survivals, the hosts paint a vivid picture of a man who evaded justice for years while leaving a trail of horror across New York and New Jersey.

Listeners are taken back to the seedy underbelly of Times Square in the 1970s, a world rife with danger and exploitation, where Cottingham prowled for victims. The discussion also touches on the investigative challenges of the era, the eventual capture of Cottingham, and the impact of his crimes on the lives of many.

Tune in for an episode that not only recounts a haunting true crime story but also highlights the resilience of those who survived and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement. This is a must-listen for true crime enthusiasts eager to understand the mind of a serial killer and the society that allowed him to thrive.

Sources:

https://www.factretriever.com/serial-killer-facts

https://facts.net/serial-killer-facts/

https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/serial-murder

https://www.businessinsider.com/common-traits-of-serial-killers-2018-5

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-the-most-serial-killers

https://www.vox.com/2016/12/2/13803158/serial-killers-victims-data

https://allthatsinteresting.com/richard-cottingham#:~:text=Known%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9CTimes%20Square%20Ripper%E2%80%9D%20and%20the,a%20motel%20room%20near%20Times%20Square%20in%201979.

https://medium.com/@rupshabose/psychological-and-crime-scene-analysis-of-richard-cottingham-the-torso-killer-ef832942251

https://murderpedia.org/male.C/images/cottingham_richard/info.pdf

Cottingham's case has been discussed in several books and documentaries on serial killers. Two focused entirely on him: Rod Leith's The Prostitute Murders: The People vs. Richard Cottingham (Lyle Stuart Inc., 1983) and Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (Netflix, 2021). He was also featured in a 2-hour special episode of People Magazine Investigates entitled “The Times Square Killer” (Investigation Discovery, 2023). Cottingham's subsequent prison confessions to cold case murders were the focus of the two-part The Torso Killer Confessions (Hulu, 2023).