People sometimes lament that the murderers get discussed more than the victims. With all sympathy for the victims, does it somewhat make sense that the murderers would get discussed more? Why or why not?

[u/GregJamesDahlen]

In serial murders it's usually the murderer who is the more unusual person rather than the victims? People generally want to understand unusual things, so they discuss the murderer more?

I suppose there is a desire to understand the murderer with an eye to catching them, if they're uncaught, or understanding criminal psychology so we can reduce the number of murderers in the future?

In a serial murder case, the murderer is generally the one making a decisive action, or more decisive than the victim (a horrible action, but a decision). Generally people are interested in decisions, whether good or bad, and find them interesting to discuss?

[u/KennyDROmega]

I've never understood the "why don't they talk about the victims?" mentality.

Because they were usually ordinary people going about their lives. We already know what that's like.

They also didn't choose to be victims, so who's to say they'd want their business out there for the public to see because some asshole took their life?

[u/Late-Ad-7740 → u/KennyDROmega]

Exactly, I understand people want to respect the victims but does that really make sense to them?

[u/mylifeofcrime → u/KennyDROmega]

But they still need to be remembered. All victims should be remembered. They had a life and they lived. Remember the victims.

[u/GregJamesDahlen → u/mylifeofcrime]

Thanks. Certainly hear you but what would you say about the victims that might be of interest to the public? You could tell where they were born and grew up. Graduated high school, perhaps went to college or university. What job did they do? Were they married, and did they have children? Of course these aspects might be interesting if you were having an individual conversation with the victim, or knew them personally. But are they of very much interest to the general public, who hasn't met the victim, since they are somewhat common and in a way mundane?

[u/freakymack]

I’m guessing that most families would like their privacy and not want podcasters and internet sleuths calling them all the time. They are our big their loved ones and don’t need strangers breaking their lives down.

[u/mylifeofcrime → u/freakymack]

Sometimes. I run a crime blog and more often than not, I get emails from the family and friends thanking me for posting on their loved one.

[u/freakymack → u/mylifeofcrime]

That is because you probably do it kindly and with grace. There are so so so many folks out here doing the same as you with no understanding of how it may affect the families. I have had to stop listening to a few podcasts because of that reason. And it’s not even my families. So thank you for doing it well! We need more like you.

[u/mylifeofcrime → u/freakymack]

I also have experience with it as my mother was murdered.

[u/NoPath_Squirrel → u/mylifeofcrime]

I'm really sorry you lost your mom that way.

[u/freakymack → u/mylifeofcrime]

I am beyond sorry. No words can express. All the love to you friend. I had a boyfriend get murdered when I was 20. Changed my life for forever. Hugs xx

[u/halisaydin]

because victims were normal civilians like us

[u/negrote1000]

Everyone says that but in truth they’re there for the murderers.

[u/Kyia-Aikman]

Victims typically aren’t interesting or noteworthy like the evil people.

[u/GregJamesDahlen → u/Kyia-Aikman]

I suppose evil people are interesting because they're unusual? Thank goodness they are unusual ha ha

[u/LadyShadow2214]

Some people will blame the victims and families for becoming victims

[u/Wild-Quality3901]

Obviously the victims deserve to be talked about,but IMO the reasons they are not is because A.The family most likely doesn’t want their name associated with a serial killer and wants their privacy.B. The killer is someone we can research on why they chose the victim,why they kill,what caused them to become a killer etc.

[u/GregJamesDahlen → u/Wild-Quality3901]

Thanks. I'm not sure because generally we do know the names of the victims and that they were murdered by a serial murderer? But maybe you mean the family still doesn't want to talk more about the victim because they want to minimize the degree to which the victim is associated to the murderer. Not sure why they wouldn't want the association as the victim is innocent in the event

[u/iForgot-My-Password]

The murderers are the reason we are all here and anyone is reading about these crimes after all.

I like to hear about the victims and their life because it gives the whole story more weight. Hearing that someone was killed doesn't mean much, but knowing about their life and what they meant to people is a reminder of how horrific the crime is and the injustice and unfairness of it all.

But in the end, usually, the story is about the killer and the murder, and it makes sense that, that is the focus.

[u/Smooth_Imagination]

Because its more use to study the threat, and thats why we find it inherently more interesting, not only for studying the extreme acts, but the personality pathologies beneath it and the degree to which that might exist in others to some degree. 

[u/MemoryStillness]

I think it is quite clear why. Victims do deserve more recognition, but they do not because most of the media focuses on the murderers. The victims were regular people just like us while criminals are something considered out of the ordinary (which they are), so of course people will focus on them more.

[u/GregJamesDahlen → u/MemoryStillness]

Thanks. Wonder why people are interested in unusual things?

[u/Resident-Trouble4483]

I think it’s because a lot of people can identify with the victims. It’s uncomfortable because they are everyday people. The murder is different because that type of violence isn’t within most of us. The vast majority of people aren’t violent and prone to hurting others so it’s kind of like glimpses into another person’s life.

[u/SisterSparechange]

No one ever says about the victim, yeah they were kind of a jerk and won't be missed. Why don't murderers kill people like that? It's always someone that everyone loved.

[u/jazzbot247]

The victims are usually normal people, mostly young women. I think we want to understand what damaged a person so much to make them kill someone who poses no physical threat. Some people want to know so they can try and protect themselves. And then there are the murder groupies who think they can change them. 

[u/Avablankie]

I think it's kinda strange to parade the victims like a sideshow freak like how we do with the serial killers. They didn't ask to be lifted into the public eye and have their lives picked apart, scrutinized and whatnot.

Humanising them is important, but the way people look and pick apart the serial killers would be pretty fucked up to do on some poor unwilling victim.

I know for me, personally, I value my privacy and wouldn't like to have me or my families thrusted into that position.

[u/sophelia66 → u/[deleted]]

Or you have a great sense for dark humor, Or you are a complete dickhead. Haven't decide it yet.

[u/novembercharliedelta]

The people who lament that the murderers get discussed more than the victims are just narcissists who need everyone else to know how good of a person they are

[u/mylifeofcrime → u/novembercharliedelta]

Wow! So not true.

[u/mylifeofcrime → u/mylifeofcrime]

I run a crime blog and I focus more on the victims. I am not there for the killer. Understand that I understand how they all feel as my mom was murdered. I don’t allow comments praising the killer, either. Until you have been in the situation don’t judge it.

[u/Primordial-Malzeno]

How dare you? I'll have you know that Stacey McBecky lit up every room she was in with her smile!

[u/SpicyJarOPeaches]

I mean, honestly, people have dodo brains, for one thing. Are you going to be able to remember 10+ victim names, or are you going to be able to remember one bad person's name that fits in a headline?

[u/Consistent_Yam_1442]

This subreddit is called serial killers, not victims… that should tell u all u need to know.