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Very Scary People returns to delve into twisted crimes and investigates the background, possible motives, psyche, and investigations of the criminals. The fifth season starts Sunday, 15th December at 10pm on Crime+Investigation, and features the crimes of the Happy Face Killer.
Richard Cottingham is one of America’s most notorious serial killers. Known as the 'Times Square Killer', the 'Torso Killer', or the 'New York Ripper', Cottingham was a monster who controlled and manipulated his victims.
Between 1967 and 1980, the former computer programmer committed several grisly murders and assaults around New York and New Jersey. Cottingham raped his victims before torturing them and removing their body parts, in a case that rocked the nation.
But who were his victims? And how did the authorities eventually catch up with the prolific killer? This article explores the shocking murders that took place and how his early life shaped his crimes.
Early life
Richard Cottingham was born in November 1946 in the Bronx. He was the oldest of four children and had a close relationship with his mother while growing up. The family moved to New Jersey in 1956, where Cottingham’s interest in bondage pornography started.
'The whole idea of bondage had aroused and fascinated me since I was very young', Cottingham later admitted.
Despite being on the track and cross-country teams, Richard Cottingham struggled to make friends in high school. This social isolation led to him spending too much time alone with his dark thoughts.
After graduation, he worked in the mail room at his father's company. Then, he became a computer operator for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. He held that job until his arrest in 1980.
A sinister turn
During Cottingham's tenure at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, things started to go downhill. His wife accused him of mental cruelty and abandonment in their failing marriage. They would eventually divorce in 1981, following Richard’s conviction.
From shoplifting to sexual assault, Cottingham was frequently arrested for crimes in the area. But the true extent of his crimes remained undetected for much longer.
A shocking spree
Cottingham himself says his killing spree began as a teenager. Over 13 years, he claimed he had murdered at least 100 women, mainly sex workers. But it wasn’t until 1979 that he obtained his moniker the ‘Torso Killer,’ after two female bodies were found in a motel room in New Jersey.
Although both women were deceased, one responder attempted to save one of them by giving her CPR but noticed her head had been removed from her torso. The victim was a high-profile sex worker called Deedeh Goodarzi. The second victim was never identified.
In May 1980, the Torso Killer struck again after strangling 25-year-old Jean Reyner at a hotel. After killing Reyner, Cottingham raped her and removed her breasts. Former Commanding Officer Vernon Geberth said: 'In this case, instead, he removed her breasts and placed them on the headboard for shock value.'
Running out of luck
In early May 1980, law enforcement began closing in on Cottingham. A sex worker, Valerie Street, had been killed at the Quality Inn, the predator's favourite spot. A maid found Valerie's naked corpse handcuffed under the bed.
Here, Cottingham’s clean slate started to slip, as police discovered fingerprints on the handcuffs. They also noticed parallels to a previous case – Maryann Carr, whom the serial killer murdered years before.
Later that month, Cottingham’s next victim was 19-year-old runaway Leslie Ann O’Dell. He picked her up and took her to a motel. There, she was tortured, beaten, and sexually assaulted. Her screams were heard, and police arrived in time to apprehend Cottingham before he could flee the scene.
Catching a killer
After Richard Cottingham’s arrest, the NYPD was granted a warrant to search his home. They found evidence linking him to the Times Square Killer and the Torso Killer, who had not been captured.
Sources who searched his home said: 'He had pornographic artwork, adhesive tape, and books about S&M.' They also discovered trophies from previous murders, including Jean Reyner’s necklace and an apartment key that belonged to Maryann Carr.
In 1981, Cottingham was convicted of five murders and several counts of sexual assault and kidnapping. More murders at the hands of Richard Cottingham have become known in recent years too and new cold cases continue to emerge. The exact number of Cottingham’s victims may remain unknown for years to come.
