Top 6 Most Wanted True Crime Stories in New York

True crime has piqued the interest of many Americans, and New York is no exception.

From high-profile cases to grisly crime thrillers, New York has seen it all. However, some stories captivate us more than others. According to Google’s data, these are the true crime stories that New Yorkers just can’t stop looking for information about.

1. Ted Bundy’s Reign of Terror

One of the most notorious serial killers of all time, Ted Bundy, set his sights on New York in the early 1970s. Bundy was known for his good looks, charm and charisma, which he used to lure women to their deaths in several states, including New York. In 1974, he murdered two young women in Lake Champlain, New York, sparking a massive statewide manhunt. While Bundy was eventually captured and brought to justice for his heinous crimes, the terror he spread across New York still sends shivers down the spines of many.

2. The “Preppy Killer” case.

The death of Jennifer Levin in Central Park in 1986 shocked the media and sparked a sensational trial. Robert Chambers, nicknamed the “Preppy Killer,” was accused of murdering Levin, with whom he had a romantic relationship. The story made national headlines because both the victim and the defendant came from wealthy backgrounds. Chambers claimed Levin’s death was an accident and was ultimately convicted of manslaughter. The case raised questions about privilege, morality and the true nature of the justice system.

3. The infamous “Baby Hope” case.

In 1991, a heartbreaking discovery was made in Washington Heights, New York. Construction workers found the body of a young girl wrapped in a plastic bag and left in a cooler. The girl, later named “Baby Hope,” remained unknown for over two decades. The case fascinated the city and eventually her identity was revealed in 2013, leading to a shocking revelation about her tragic fate. Baby Hope was actually Anjelica Castillo, a four-year-old Mexican-American girl. Her male cousin confessed to torturing, raping and sodomizing her before finally suffocating her.

5. The unsolved case of the Long Island serial killer

In the early 2000s, the discovery of several bodies along Long Island’s Ocean Parkway sent investigators on a wild hunt for the perpetrator. In 2023, a suspect was arrested and charged with murder, but the case is still pending and no conviction has been made.

6. The infamous “Son of Sam”

In the mid-1970s, New York City was terrorized by a mysterious figure, the “Son of Sam,” who went on a killing spree targeting women and couples. The man behind the murders, David Berkowitz, became known as one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. He was eventually caught and convicted for his crimes, but the legacy of fear he left behind is still ingrained in the minds of many New Yorkers.

SEE ALSO: Did you know that Sam Killer’s son is alive and in upstate New York?

7. The tragic case of Etan Patz

In 1979, six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared without a trace on his way to school in Manhattan. The case attracted national attention and became one of the most haunting missing child cases in history, remaining unsolved for over three decades. In 2017, a man named Pedro Hernandez was convicted of Patz’s murder.