The Truth About The Infamous Stoneman Serial Killer

The "Stoneman," a serial killer in India, struck fear into that nation from the mid to late '80s (via Yahoo!). However, the "Stoneman" started out by murdering homeless people in Mumbai's Sion-King's Circle area. This area was home to the more well-to-do of Mumbai. However, many homeless people also found comfort around the streets of this area, and it was they whom the "Stoneman" targeted. He got his moniker for the way in which he committed his crimes: crushing their heads with large stones. 

The police were troubled at who would do such a heinous act, but they were also worried as the stones used in the brutal killings weighed roughly 30 kg or about 66 pounds. Whoever he was, he was very powerful. The police diligently went to work and rounded up a number of potential suspects. Once this happened, these horrid crimes seemingly came to an end by 1988.

Then in 1989, it started happening again. This time, the culprit had moved to Calcutta. A different city, but the same M.O.: crushing homeless people's skulls in with heavy stones. In 1989, Calcutta had 6 million citizens, and there were roughly around 50,000 homeless people (via Los Angeles Times).

Initially, those who lived in Calcutta were not very concerned with what was happening due to the fact that they felt the victims were society's outcasts, but as the murders continued, the pressure mounted. With this in mind, the police began cracking down — increasing investigations and seeking to protect those who may be his target.

The "Stoneman," however, will remain known as the "Stoneman" as police were never able to identify who he was. Despite increasing their diligence in finding the "Stoneman," only one man, Muhammad Akram, was ever linked to the crime, and even that link is doubtful. Akram came to the police claiming that he had a run-in with the "Stoneman" but was able to escape. Akram was very thin and seemed incapable of being able to lift the heavy stones in question used in the killings.

In 1989, Rachhpal Singh was the deputy commissioner of the Calcutta police department. He believed then that the "Stoneman" was somebody who not only was very powerful, but very intelligent. Despite harboring some ill-will toward the homeless, the "Stoneman," was able to keep it together enough to strike at the right time — and most importantly for him, to not be caught.

Over 30 years later, the "Stoneman" has neither been apprehended nor even identified.