It’s chilling to look at childhood photos and realize that some of the most innocent-looking kids could grow up to commit unimaginable crimes. Our brains naturally see children as pure and untouchable — which is why stories like this one hit so hard.
The boy we’re about to introduce would grow into one of America’s most notorious killers.
On a warm May day in 1960, a baby boy was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to a young couple full of hope. His father, a 23-year-old chemistry student, and his mother, a 24-year-old teletype machine instructor, dreamed of a bright future for their first child. At first, he seemed lively and cheerful, full of energy and promise.
But life had a darker path in store. Shortly before his fourth birthday, he underwent double hernia surgery — and a noticeable change followed. The once-bubbly child became quiet, withdrawn, and uneasy.
By age six, he was already struggling with resentment toward his baby brother. Teachers noticed his timid, reserved demeanor, a reflection of instability at home. His mother battled depression and hypochondria, sometimes bedridden, while his father’s studies kept him absent. Arguments filled the household, leaving the boy uncertain whether his family would hold together.
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