So many incredible people have come out of the state of New Jersey. From athletes to astronauts and authors to inventors, we’ve made our mark on history. Still, there are some New Jersey residents who’ve left less of a mark and more of a dark stain. From mob bosses to serial killers, these 7 men will live on in infamy for their crimes.
- Richard “Iceman” Kuklinski
Wikimedia/DASHBot This notorious mob hitman was convicted of 5 murders but confessed to over 100. The Jersey City native had a reputation for his bad temper and caught the eye of the DeCavalcante crime family. He honed his craft killing bums on New York City streets before becoming one of the mafia’s most famous contract killers.
- Abner Zwillman
Wikipedia/Richard Arthur Norton This Newark native got his start smuggling whiskey during prohibition. He went on to expand his operations in illegal gambling, prostitution and racketeering. Called the “Al Capone of New Jersey”, he mysteriously hanged himself after being called to testify in a mob trial. Though ruled a suicide, defensive wounds cast doubt on this cause of death.
- Jose Miguel Battle, Sr.
Wikipedia/Liberal Humanist A former police officer from Cuba, Jose Battle helped aid the CIA in training Cuban exiles and volunteered as a soldier during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. After moving to Union City, he became involved with an illegal lottery and went on to start a criminal empire. He is often called the “Godfather” of the Cuban mob.
- Robert Zarinsky
Wikipedia/WikiOriginal-9 Robert Zarinsky is a convicted murderer and suspected serial killer from Linden, NJ. He is believed to have killed at least 7 individuals and was the first person in New Jersey convicted of murder without a body ever being found.
- John List
Wikipedia/Doc9871 This Michigan native lived in Westfield, NJ with his family…until he killed them ALL. He managed to evade the police for 18 years, taking on a new identity and even remarrying.
- Richard Biegenwald
Wikipedia/WikiOriginal-9 Born in Rockland County, New York, Richard was a troubled youth. He spent time in psychiatric hospitals in the state until the age of 16. He traveled around the country before returning to the New Jersey area where he killed at least 9 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey over the course of 25 years.
- Charles Cullen
Wikipedia/Richard Arthur Norton This New Jersey nurse is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in American history. Experts have estimated that he killed over 300 patients throughout his 16-year nursing career. He tampered with IV bags and administered lethal injections for years with his crimes going unnoticed.
Which of these crimes do you find most terrifying? Are there any other crazed criminals from New Jersey that you would add to this list?
Wikimedia/DASHBot
This notorious mob hitman was convicted of 5 murders but confessed to over 100. The Jersey City native had a reputation for his bad temper and caught the eye of the DeCavalcante crime family. He honed his craft killing bums on New York City streets before becoming one of the mafia’s most famous contract killers.
Wikipedia/Richard Arthur Norton
This Newark native got his start smuggling whiskey during prohibition. He went on to expand his operations in illegal gambling, prostitution and racketeering. Called the “Al Capone of New Jersey”, he mysteriously hanged himself after being called to testify in a mob trial. Though ruled a suicide, defensive wounds cast doubt on this cause of death.
Wikipedia/Liberal Humanist
A former police officer from Cuba, Jose Battle helped aid the CIA in training Cuban exiles and volunteered as a soldier during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. After moving to Union City, he became involved with an illegal lottery and went on to start a criminal empire. He is often called the “Godfather” of the Cuban mob.
Wikipedia/WikiOriginal-9
Robert Zarinsky is a convicted murderer and suspected serial killer from Linden, NJ. He is believed to have killed at least 7 individuals and was the first person in New Jersey convicted of murder without a body ever being found.
Wikipedia/Doc9871
This Michigan native lived in Westfield, NJ with his family…until he killed them ALL. He managed to evade the police for 18 years, taking on a new identity and even remarrying.
Born in Rockland County, New York, Richard was a troubled youth. He spent time in psychiatric hospitals in the state until the age of 16. He traveled around the country before returning to the New Jersey area where he killed at least 9 people in Monmouth County, New Jersey over the course of 25 years.
This New Jersey nurse is believed to be the most prolific serial killer in American history. Experts have estimated that he killed over 300 patients throughout his 16-year nursing career. He tampered with IV bags and administered lethal injections for years with his crimes going unnoticed.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
