Torso Murders
How Did the Torso Murders Go Unsolved?
4.5 (39)
174 mins
In 1980, Richard Cottingham was caught attacking a motel victim, linking him to past murders. Evidence and trials confirmed multiple killings, later expanded to New York. DNA and confessions eventually tied him to 18 victims.
Ep 1:
Secrets of Torso
1970s New Jersey murders of young women, sexually assaulted, tortured, mutilated, often headless or burned. Cases were initially unlinked due to poor tech and inter-state gaps.
Ep 2:
Assault or Murder
May 22, 1980 – Cottingham caught attacking Leslie Ann O’Dell in a motel. Evidence of restraint and torture led to identification and connection to prior torso murders.
Ep 3:
Unmasking the Torso
Police found earlier crimes and victim belongings in his basement. Trials in 1981–82 convicted him of multiple murders and assaults, showing a clear serial pattern.
Ep 4:
Torso Denial Ends
Evidence linked him to New York killings. Cottingham lived a normal family life while murdering. Later DNA and confessions confirmed 18 victims, closing decades-old cold cases.
Discussions (6)
Tammy
Level 10 · 7 mo agoThe police ignored them because they were poor.
Lee
Level 6 · 7 mo agoHe worked as a computer operator at Blue Cross. That routine gave him the perfect cover to hunt in NY while keeping his suburban NJ life separate.
Seymour
Level 3 · 7 mo agoHe had a secret trophy room and his wife never knew? I can’t even sneak a new fabric purchase past my husband without getting caught!
