Richard Francis Cottingham

Serial Killer

Richard Francis Cottingham: The Torso Killer

Early Life and Background

Richard Francis Cottingham, born on November 25, 1946, in New York City, was the first of four children. His family moved to Dumont, New Jersey, in 1948, and later to River Vale, New Jersey, in 1956. Cottingham developed a fascination with bondage pornography at a young age. He graduated from Pascack Valley High School in 1964 and worked as a computer operator for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association until his arrest in 1980.

Criminal Activities

Cottingham's criminal activities spanned from 1967 to 1980. He was convicted of six murders in New York and twelve murders in New Jersey. His modus operandi involved picking up prostitutes or drugging women in bars, bringing them to hotels, and subjecting them to prolonged torture sessions. Cottingham was known for mutilating his victims, earning him the nicknames "The Torso Killer" and "The Times Square Ripper." ...

Confirmed Victims: (17)

Nancy Vogel Age: (29), Date of Death: October 28, 1967

Suspected Victims:

Patricia Newsom

Survivors:

Karen Schilt Age: (22), Date of Attack: March 22, 1978

Susan Geiger Age: (19), Date of Attack: October 10, 1978

Pamela Weisenfield Age: (27), Date of Attack: May 12, 1980

Leslie Ann ODell Age: (18), Date of Attack: May 22, 1980

Richard Cottingham - Wikipedia