This Day In History: Russian serial killer Andrei Chikatilo (the Rostov Ripper) was convicted of 52 murders on this day in 1992. According to one website, Chikatilo has a lot of labels: "Andrei Romanovich Chikatilo, a.k.a. The Rostov Ripper, was a prolific Russian 'vampirist'-type cannibalistic, pedophilic, ephebophilic, necrophilic, and hebephilic serial killer, brief spree killer, and enucleator responsible for at least 52 murders that occurred between 1978 to 1990." Source
There's a lot to unpack there. Ephebophilia is the primary sexual interest in mid-to-late adolescents, generally ages 15 to 19. Hebephilia is a mental disorder characterized by a strong sexual interest in children who have not yet reached puberty. People with hebephilia are typically attracted to children aged 11 to 14. Enucleation is the medical term used to refer to the surgical removal of the eyes.
Chikatilo's trial was the first major media event of post-Soviet Russia and the Russian press regularly published sensationalistic headlines about the murders, referring to Chikatilo being a "cannibal" or a "maniac" and to his physically resembling a shaven-skulled, demonic individual.
He was executed by a single shot to the back of his head. While this method of capital punishment may seem out-dated, the state of Utah still allows for the firing squad. Saudi Arabia still practices beheading with a sword.
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