Hybristophilia

Manifestations of hybristophilia include the romanticization of criminals, especially serial killers. Although rare, hybristophilia has also been reported in men. In some cases, admirers of these criminals have gone on to marry the object of their affections in prison. Social media contributions for an easier method of showcasing attraction to the criminal hybristophilia have also been discussed; a 2023 paper stated that "If social media platforms including TikTok provide users with the ability to freely express themselves publicly and anonymously, then individuals wanting to showcase and share their affection and admiration for criminal offenders might opt to utilize these platforms for this purpose." == Causes ==

Some speculations have been offered as to the cause of hybristophilia. Katherine Ramsland, a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University, mentions that some of the women who have married or dated male serial killers have offered the following reasons: "Some believe they can change a man as cruel and powerful as a serial killer. Others 'see' the little boy that the killer once was and seek to nurture him. A few hoped to share in the media spotlight or get a book or movie deal. Then there's the notion of the 'perfect boyfriend'. She knows where he is at all times, and she knows he's thinking about her. While she can claim that someone loves her, she does not have to endure the day-to-day issues involved in most relationships. There's no laundry to do, no cooking for him, and no accountability to him. She can keep the fantasy charged up for a long time." Ramsland also states "Some mental health experts have compared infatuation with killers to extreme forms of fanaticism. They view such women as insecure females who cannot find love in normal ways or as 'love-avoidant' females who seek romantic relationships that cannot be consummated", though she notes that there are also several examples of hybristophiliacs who are beautiful, educated, and married. As evidence of women's fantasy preference for dominant men, he refers to the book ''A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the World's Largest Experiment Reveals about Human Desire'' by Ogi Ogas and Sai Gaddam. Seltzer discusses Ogas and Gaddam's argument that this fantasy is the dominant plot of most erotic/romantic books and movies written for women, but the fantasy always holds that this male dominance is conditional, "it doesn't really represent the man's innermost reality". He also says in reality, very few women are actually swayed by these "primitive instincts". A linkage was also made to the case of it being for the purpose of 'controlling fear', in which people consciously or unconsciously deny the threat in accordance with the extended parallel process model. == Notable examples ==

• One of the most infamous examples of hybristophilia is the large number of women attracted to Ted Bundy after his arrest. He often drew scores of women at the jammed courtrooms of his trials each day. Bundy allegedly received hundreds of love letters from women while he was incarcerated, and married a woman, Carole Ann Boone, whom he had met while both were working in the State of Washington. He proposed to her in the middle of proceedings while Boone was on the witness stand. Boone gave birth to a daughter whom it was believed Bundy had fathered. • Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer and cannibal, is said to have had amorous women sending him letters, money, and other gifts during his time in prison despite his being a gay man. • Richard Ramirez, the "Night Stalker" who killed 13 people and had "more than a passing interest" in Satanism, had fans who would write him letters and pay him visits. This included Doreen Lioy, who married him in California's San Quentin State Prison on October 3, 1996. However, Lioy eventually broke ties with Ramirez in 2009 after DNA confirmed he had raped and murdered 9-year-old Mei Leung, though it seems she never legally filed for divorce. • Cult leader orchestrator Charles Manson's groupies are also examples. • Lyle and Erik Menendez, American brothers convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents in Beverly Hills, received significant attention from members of the public during and after their high-profile trials, including romantic correspondence and relationships initiated while they were incarcerated; both brothers married women who first wrote to them after encountering their case through television. Lyle's first wife, Anna Eriksson, initially wrote to him during his trial before they married by telephone from prison, and he subsequently married Rebecca Sneed after a long history of correspondence. Erik married Tammi Saccoman, who began writing to him during his trial before they met in person and wed in prison. • Columbiners are self-acknowledged members of a fandom that expresses desire for Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre. ==References==