I’ve always been fascinated by what makes serial killers tick. (My husband Ryan calls it my “murder hobby,” but I prefer “criminal psychology enthusiasm.”) Few cases have haunted me quite like the Boston Strangler—a man who terrorized an entire city, leaving 13 women dead between 1962 and 1964.
Albert DeSalvo confessed to being the Strangler, but what drove this seemingly ordinary man to commit such monstrous acts? Let’s dive into the psychology behind one of America’s most infamous killers—and maybe triple-check your door locks tonight.
The Making of a Monster: DeSalvo’s Hellish Childhood
If you’re looking for the roots of evil, DeSalvo’s childhood is about as subtle as a bloodstain on white carpet. Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts in 1931, little Albert never stood a chance at normalcy.
His father, Frank DeSalvo, was an alcoholic who beat his wife and children with shocking brutality. We’re talking knock-out-your-teeth, break-your-fingers level abuse. According to detailed accounts of his upbringing, young Albert regularly witnessed his father selling his children for cash to other farmers and violently assaulting his mother.
(I’m not saying terrible childhoods create killers—plenty of people survive trauma without murdering anyone—but YIKES.)
The psychological impact was devastating. DeSalvo began showing troubling behavior early, torturing animals (classic serial killer starter pack) and engaging in petty crimes that landed him in reform school—twice—before he joined the Army at 17.
The Army Years: Rehearsal for Violence
During his military service in Germany, DeSalvo’s disturbing patterns continued. He sexually assaulted women while stationed overseas, though these incidents were largely overlooked. The military structure temporarily contained his impulses, but it was like putting a Band-Aid on a severed limb.
When he returned to civilian life, his criminal behavior escalated from peeping tom activities to sexual assaults, eventually culminating in his “Measuring Man” phase where he posed as a talent scout to grope women. (Would have DEFINITELY not survived this crime, ladies—always check credentials!)
Inside DeSalvo’s Mind: The Psychological Profile
What’s fascinating (in that can’t-look-away-from-a-car-crash way) is that DeSalvo’s IQ tested in the normal range—higher than the average serial killer. This wasn’t some intellectual disability driving his actions; something darker was at work.
Psychologists who evaluated DeSalvo noted several key factors that likely contributed to his violent tendencies:
1. Learned Violence: Growing up watching his father use aggression to control others taught DeSalvo that violence was an acceptable way to get what he wanted.
2. Sexual Dysfunction: His early exposure to inappropriate sexual behavior warped his understanding of normal sexual relationships.
3. Need for Control: The powerlessness he felt as a child created an overwhelming need to dominate others—particularly women.
4. Possible Psychopathy: Some experts believe DeSalvo inherited psychopathic traits from his father, creating a perfect storm when combined with his traumatic upbringing.
The Confession Controversy: Did He Really Do It?
Here’s where things get murky. DeSalvo confessed to all 13 murders, providing details only the killer would know. But many criminologists have questioned whether he actually committed all the crimes attributed to the Boston Strangler.
For decades, doubts lingered about DeSalvo’s guilt. It wasn’t until 2013—nearly 50 years after the murders—that DNA evidence finally linked him to the last Strangler victim, 19-year-old Mary Sullivan. But what about the other 12 victims?
Some experts believe DeSalvo may have been an attention-seeking fabulist who confessed for notoriety. Others suggest he might have worked with accomplices. The complex case details continue to puzzle investigators to this day.
The Legacy of a Monster
DeSalvo never faced justice for the Strangler murders. He was serving a life sentence for unrelated sexual assaults when he was stabbed to death in prison in 1973. (Karma’s a bit stabby sometimes.)
What makes Albert DeSalvo’s story so chilling isn’t just the brutality of his crimes—it’s how his case demonstrates the perfect psychological storm that creates a killer: genetic predisposition, childhood trauma, sexual dysfunction, and opportunity.
The most terrifying thought? There are other Albert DeSalvos out there right now, shaped by similar forces, waiting to snap.
Sleep tight! (And seriously, check those locks.)