CHILD rapists, necrophiliacs, cannibals, serial killers and cult leaders – these are all considered fair game among buyers and sellers of “murderabilia”.
There is a twisted world of collectors who seek trinkets once owned or made by the most depraved criminals – serviced by dedicated dealerships who often harvest items after for profit.
True Crime Collective owns a number of items made by or belonging to notorious cult leader Charles MansonCredit: AFP or licensors
A creepy string art doll handmade by Charles MansonCredit: True Crime Collective
A creepy painting of clown Felix Adler by serial killer John Wayne GacyCredit: True Crime Collective
Websites such as Cult Collectibles and Supernaught boast selections of drawings, letters and personal effects that have passed through the fingers of evil – with the options to search by the name of your favourite criminal.
But the world’s biggest stash of this most morbid currency is found at True Collective, which has amassed a vast trove of letters, shoes, toys, CDs and other personal effects.
Within their catalogue you can find string art handmade by , paintings by John Wayne Gacy, or a card signed by – all among ‘s most notorious figures.
Jordan Cook, who runs the business with his wife Maren, tells The Sun: “We’re easily the biggest murderabilia dealers in the world right now. And we take pride in that.”
This family-run enterprise makes cash by flogging the macabre wares all over the world – and is constantly on the hunt for the next big haul.
The warped world of so-called serial brokers hit the headlines last month after Jordan and his wife got their hands on a particularly grim collection.
The Cooks obtained a bundle of items that belonged to Aileen Wuornos – dubbed The Damsel of Death – who was executed in 2002.
Throughout 1989 and 1990, Wuornos left a chilling trail of bodies around central .
She lured men onto the highways with the promise of prostitution, only to shoot them dead and rob their possessions.
After months of negotiations, True Crime Collective secured a sinister jackpot comprising the flip-flops and crucifix Wuornos wore for her lethal injection, handwritten letters, drawings, a robe and her bandana – among other things.
They also obtained a pair of sneakers that Wuornos likely wore when she “committed a murder or two, maybe three”, according to Jordan.
Business has been booming since this collection hit the market – spurred on by morbid fascination from the media.
Jordan says: “We’ve sold a good majority of the collection – though we decided to keep a couple of the more significant items for ourselves.
“At some point in the future we hope to open our own museum.”
They decided they wanted to keep the killer’s sneakers and robe.
While there’s nothing illegal about it, the idea of individuals profiting off these horrific crimes has always railed against the consciences of many.
Aileen Wuornos, nicknamed The Damsel of Death, left a trail of bodies around FloridaCredit: Getty
A pair of sneakers that belonged to Aileen Wuornos, and which she likely wore for to murder victimsCredit: True Crime Collective
Aileen Wuornos was issued with these flip-flops days before her execution and wore them to the death chamberCredit: True Crime Collective
Andy Kahan, a victims advocate at Crime Stoppers of Houston, was apparently the first to coin the term “murderabilia”.
He told Rolling Stone magazine: “People have been collecting true crime memorabilia since, more than likely, the first caveman bopped somebody. So collect all you want.
“Where we draw the line is when you’re actually listing items to be sold for personal profit.”
Trying to explain what drives his interest in murderabilia, beyond the money, Jordan says: “It’s hard to pin down exactly, but we get satisfaction from these items passing through our hands.
“Having a painting that belonged to somebody that became one of the most infamous criminals in history – it’s an interesting feeling to own that.
“To have handled significant items that are in museums on display all over the world is a big deal.
“The historical aspect, the morbidity, is something I find fascinating. Sometimes I look at them and imagine their original owner doing the same.”
Jordan and Maren have also collected items relating to serial killer and necrophiliac Jeffrey DahmerCredit: Getty
You can buy a ‘mystery box’ for $50Credit: True Crime Collective
Charles Manson led a family cult and instructed them to commit a string of murdersCredit: Getty – Contributor
Shockingly, the families of some victims appear to share the same fascination.
Jordan recalls being approached by the niece of one of ‘s surviving victims, while he was selling some of his items at a stall.
He says: “I really thought she was coming over to give us a hard time, but she actually ended up buying some of the Ted Bundy stuff.”
Most of the Wuornos pieces were sold in one lot to another museum – though Jordan declined to name it.
True Crime Collective will consider buying anything with links to true crime figures, serial killers or cult leaders – and the more infamous the better.
Their bread and butter includes artwork created behind bars, personal trinkets, handwritten letters to friends and family, and items of clothing.
The most expensive piece ever to pass through their hands was the confession letter of Albert Fish – an American serial killer, rapist, child molester and cannibal – which a European museum bought for a staggering $25,000.
In the letter, Fish admits to a mother that he murdered, cooked and ate her ten-year-old daughter, Grace Budd.
The letter is too disturbing to publish verbatim, but in it Fish takes Grace to an empty house in Westchester he had already picked out.
Hiding in a closet, he lunged at the girl and choked her to death – and Fish took glee in recounting her mother Grace’s struggles and screams.
A teddy bear hand knitted by infamous English serial killer Rosemary WestCredit: True Crime Collective
John Wayne Gacy raped, tortured and murdered over 30 young boysCredit: Getty
Customers often shell out thousands for these items, so they demand to know they are getting the real deal.
Jordan explains their verification process: “Letters are pretty much self-authenticating. They’re all stamped by the prison they were sent from, so that’s easy.
“With other items, we do our due diligence. They often come from friends of the criminal, so it’s not too difficult. But we consider ourselves experts.”
The Wuornos collection, for example, was bought directly from one of the killer’s friends called Dawn Botkins – and each will come with a letter of authenticity from her.
This deal preoccupied the couple for the past eight months, but they are now scouting for the next murderous haul.
But the murderabilia supply chain is not particularly consistent.
It relies not only on serial killers going about their business, but also on their personal effects being made available – which comes down to chance.
“When it happens you jump on it and get what you can,” Jordan says.
Some Brits are apparently just as interested in the evil items as Americans.
A pair of Jeffrey Dahmer’s glasses – one of the most significant items True Crime Collective has ever soldCredit: True Crime Collective
The last photograph ever taken of Aileen Wuornos before she was executedCredit: True Crime Collective
Jordan has sold plenty of his wares across the Atlantic – and revealed that Brits tend to be attracted to the more infamous names.
He says: “A lot of the UK customers that I get order stuff from more well-known names, like John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy.
“We do a lot of business with people in the UK and Europe in general. I don’t think there’s anyone over there who deals in this stuff.”
Many find the business of murderabilia repellent – and have no interest in inheriting from monsters such as Ted Bundy – but there is no law that prohibits the sale of these items.
The only relevant legislation is the Son of Sam law – which prohibits prisoners from profiting from the publicity of their crimes.
Jordan does not believe there is anything immoral about his trade, and insists he does not idolise the criminals.
He says: “We always bear in mind that there has to be a sensitivity to the people that were affected.
“We also try to advocate for the victims of these crimes when we can.
“We’re not out here to glorify, what we’re doing is preserving and making important pieces of world history available.”
He also points out that big streamers and production houses rake in millions from series about true crime.
Jordan says: “We work really hard. We hunt down these items and get it all out there to people… it’s really stressful at times, but there’s a reason we are where we are now. We’ve put a lot of time and heart into it.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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