For some criminals, the notoriety that comes with getting caught for murder, rape, and other horrific crimes is exactly what they want. The newspaper articles, biographies, and constant attention that are often attached to the world’s most evil crimes give certain criminals a sense of purpose, as if they are celebrities who will have their names remembered long after they’re dead. Unfortunately, being a notorious criminal also has plenty of downsides, especially when you’re heading to a prison filled with other hardened criminals. For a few famous criminals, fame is what leads to their untimely death within the walls of prison.
If you’ve been wondering “Who are the most famous criminals to be murdered in prison?” this list holds the answers. The men on this list have proved that maintaining a low profile in prison beats having a famous name, since being well known for their heinous crimes is what got many of these criminals a death sentence not ordered by the legal system.
From cannibalistic serial killers to pedophiles who ruined the lives of hundreds of children, the men on this list were murdered in prison by fellow inmates, whether it was due to their notoriety or personal issues.
9 Famous Criminals Who Were Murdered in Prison,
Albert DeSalvo
Albert DeSalvo was better known as the confessed "Boston Strangler," who killed 13 women. While DeSalvo never ended up in jail for those crimes, he served a prison sentence for being a serial rapist. DeSalvo attempted to escape from prison, but the escape was shortlived. In 1973, Robert Wilson was suspected of stabbing DeSalvo to death but he was never convicted for the crime.
Jeffrey Dahmer
Jeffrey Dahmer is one of the most infamous serial killers in history, most known for his rape, murder, and cannibalism of men between 1978 and 1991. Once he was caught, he was placed into solitary confinement to ensure that his fellow inmates wouldn't hurt him. However, when he was let into general pop, there were multiple attempts on his life. He was beaten to death by Christopher Scarver, who gave no reasons as to why he killed Dahmer.
Jesse Anderson
When Jeffrey Dahmer was murdered by Christopher Scarver while in prison, there was another inmate alone in the room with them: Jesse Anderson. Anderson was in prison for stabbing his wife. Both he and Dahmer were bludgeoned to death in the same incident. Scarver allegedly killed him because he initially blamed his wife's murder on two black men.
John Geoghan
John Geoghan, a Catholic priest, was accused of sexually abusing more than 130 children over 30 years in six different parishes. He was charged in 1991, defrocked in 1998, and sentenced to nine years by 2002. In 2003, Geoghan was stomped to death by white supremacist, Joseph Druce. Since Druce had allegedly been planning to attack Georghan and a surveillance video of correction officers leaving the cell open was leaked, many believe that Georghan's murder was sanctioned by the officers.
Leslie Bailey
Between 1984 and 1985, Leslie Bailey killed and molested at least three children. He was a member of a gang of pedophiles who were also convicted. Michael Cain and John Brookes strangled Bailey in his cell and made it look like a suicide.
Steve Biko
Steve Biko was best known for his anti-apartheid activism in the '60s and '70s in South Africa. He was the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement. In 1977, he was arrested as a terrorist by South African police. During his interrogation, he was tortured and beaten until he was in a coma. He died soon after of a brain hemorrhage. Although the police tried to claim that Biko's hunger strike was the cause of his death, the truth was soon revealed resulting in headline news exposing the corrupt police. Unfortunately, the police were never charged.
Yuri Galanskov
Yuri Galanskov was best known as a Russian human rights activist and poet, but his writing landed him seven years in a labor camp. He did his best to advocate the rights of his fellow prisoners, but when he began to suffer from bleeding ulcers, he was ignored and not given medical treatment. Another prisoner attempted to operate on him, despite having no surgery experience, leading to Galanskov's death.
Colin Hatch
Colin Hatch was convicted of killing 7-year-old Sean Williams and was sentenced to life in prison in 1994. In 2011, Hatch was killed by a fellow inmate, but not much information was released about the killing.
Richard Loeb
Richard Loeb, a law student from the University of Chicago, was convicted of kidnapping and murdering Robert Franks in 1924 because he wanted to commit the perfect crime with his partner Nathan Leopold. In 1936, Loeb was attacked with a razor by James Day, after Loeb allegedly tried to sexually assault Day. There was no evidence to back Day's claims, but it was still ruled as self-defense.