16 True Crime Artifacts You Can Actually Visit, In Case You’d Like To Never Sleep Again
It's one thing to read about a true crime case, or listen to a popular true crime podcast. However, it's entirely different to visit the scene of a grisly crime, or stand in the exact place where someone drew their last breath. You'll find such places below, like the Alcatraz East Crime Museum, which has the infamous tan VW Bug formerly owned by serial killer Ted Bundy. Note: This order of true crime artifacts is as it was originally ranked on Ranker.com.
1. The Bonnie & Clyde "Death Car"
The vehicle in which bankrobbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow met their fate was infamously punctured by over 100 bullets. Though it was brought all over the country for years for carnivals, amusement parks, flea markets, and state fairs, it's now on display at Whiskey Pete's Hotel & Casino in Primm, Nevada.
2. The dagger John Wilkes Booth used during the Lincoln assassination
This macabre display features the knife John Wilkes Booth used to stab Major Henry Rathbone at Ford's Theatre. The words "Liberty" and "America" are engraved on the knife, which is still on display at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. This exhibit also has the Deringer used to slay Abraham Lincoln.
3. The house where Lizzie Borden's father and stepmother were killed
The Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum in Fall River, Massachusetts is in the actual home where the infamous unsolved murder occurred. Guests often pose for photos in the spots where Abby and Andrew Borden met their demise.
4. Ted Bundy's VW Bug
The tan 1968 Volkswagen Beetle might look innocuous to those not familiar with true crime, but this vehicle was actually a large part of Ted Bundy's murders. He removed the passenger door handle so there could be no escape, and dislodged the seat so he could hide his victims on the floor, after handcuffing them to the door.
The chilling vehicle, which was initially purchased by former Salt Lake Sheriff’s Deputy Lonnie Anderson at police auction for $925, eventually found its way to the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The VW is part of the museum's permanent exhibit, and the display also features a typewriter Bundy used in prison, and his trial dental mold.
5. The notebook of P.C. Watkins, an officer working the infamous 'Jack The Ripper' case
The Jack the Ripper Museum in London, England has a number of items from the investigation into the infamous slayer, such as the notebook and handcuffs of P.C. Watson. The handcuffs may very well have once held the perpetrator of the unsolved case.
6. The Villisca Ax Murder House
On June 10, 1912, Josiah Moore, his entire family, and two guests who had been spending the night, were all brutally murdered in one of the most infamous cold cases of all time. The ax murder at the house in Villisca, Iowa, remains unsolved to this day. Curious murderinos can sign up for a daylight tour of the original Villisca Murder House, while those with more courage can opt to stay overnight in the murder house, which, of course, is said to be haunted.
7. The rifle believed to have killed JFK
Fans of history and the macabre can see the rifle alleged to be the one that killed John F. Kennedy. Evidence of a sniper was found on the sixth floor, which became the primary crime scene, and later, The Sixth Floor Museum. The museum also has the Abraham Zapruder film, which was 8mm footage of Kennedy's appearance, that incidentally captured the assassination.
8. John Wayne Gacy's "Patches The Clown" And "Pogo The Clown" Costumes
John Wayne Gacy was known as the "Killer Clown," because in 1975, he joined the "Jolly Jokers" clown club with the personas "Pogo the Clown" and "Patches the Clown." Gacy designed his own costumes, such as the ones above, which can be seen at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It was said that Gacy allegedly met some of his victims at children's parties where he worked as a clown.
Of visiting this exhibit, Reddit user u/762dreams commented, "Seeing them in person sent shudders down my spine."
9. The head of serial killer Peter Kurten
Peter Kurten, also known as the "Vampire of Düsseldorf" or the "Düsseldorf Monster," was put to death by beheading in April 1931, after being found guilty of nine counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder. Following his execution, his head was mummified and bisected, and his brain studied by forensic analysis to try to understand his behavior. Now you can see it at the Ripley's Believe It Or Not in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
10. Remnants of a grisly, tragic murder in New Orleans
New Orleans is known for its creepy tours through haunted hot spots and cemeteries. However, one tour takes it a step further by showcasing items from the scene of a real-life brutal crime. Bloody Mary Haunted Museum & Tour Co. takes visitors to the apartment where Zack Bowen killed Addie Hall, as well as the oven he used to cook his late girlfriend after killing her, and the refrigerator where he stored her remains.
11. The head of Cesare Lombroso, the man behind the Italian School of Criminology
Cesare Lombroso is the mind behind the theory of "anthropological criminology" and "positivist criminology," and his mind (well, his whole head, actually), is on display at Lombroso's Museum in Turin, Italy. Lombroso was a lifelong collector, known for storing specimens, such as skulls, weapons used in crimes, and other criminological relics. The museum features such items, including skulls of soldiers, criminals, and madmen, complete skeletons, wax models of criminals, and more.
12. Charles Manson letters
Those interested in the Manson Family might be inclined to visit the Graveface Museum in Savannah, Georgia to peruse letters written by cult leader himself, Charles Manson. The macabre museum also features a full-on serial killer room, equipped with original John Wayne Gacy paintings.
13. Charles Manson's guitar and Beach Boys single, "Never Learn Not To Love"
The Beach Boys single "Never Learn Not To Love" actually originated as a Charles Manson song called, "Cease To Exist." The credit, however, was given to his good friend, Dennis Wilson. The cult leader was infamously desperate to be a rock star, and in addition to that single, the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee also has Manson's guitar. The guitar was taken in Inyo County California, during a raid on the Barker Ranch, during which time Manson was also arrested.
14. A painting by Richard Speck
Richard Speck infamously and brutally slayed eight nursing students in a random attack in July 1966, so it does take a strong stomach to want to learn more about him. However, if you have one of those, and also like art, you might want to check out Hyaena Gallery in Burbank, California. Among many other examples of true crime memorabilia, the gallery features the piece, "Abstract," by Speck.
15. O.J. Simpson's White Ford Bronco
Now this is not the White Ford Bronco that O. J. Simpson owned, but rather the one owned by former NFL player Al Cowlings, who drove the vehicle in the infamous, televised police chase on June 17, 1994. This car is another of the permanent exhibits at the Alcatraz East Crime Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
16. Fred West's tie
On an episode of Netflix's Dark Tourist (with host David Farrier), the Littledean Jail Museum in Littledean, UK, acquired what they claimed was the tie of infamous English serial killer, Fred West. While museum owner Andy Jones - who lives in the old jail with his family - refused to share his sources, he insists the tie is authentic.
This was originally published on Ranker.com.
