Richard Benjamin Speck was an American mass murderer. A thief and murderer, he began his criminal life at a young age and went on to commit some serious crimes in later life. He captured media attention when he systematically tortured, raped and murdered eight student nurses during the summer of 1966. They lived together on Chicago's South Side and worked at the South Chicago Community Hospital. He was responsible for various acts of violence against his family and others but had a knack for escaping the police. An alcoholic and a petty criminal, he periodically worked on cargo boats traveling in the Great Lakes. Speck was captured two days later when a manhunt ensued after his killing spree. His homicidal nature is said to have emerged from brain abnormalities and a troubled childhood. He was also rumored to have the XYY syndrome though it was never proved. Speck had a phobia of being stared at, which persisted throughout his life. He served several prison sentences and committed numerous crimes including theft, forgery, assault, and murder.
