Famous Serial Killers Who Are Capricorns

Capricorn is the 10th of the twelve zodiac signs. As reported by Astrology Zodiac Signs, Capricorns are born between December 22 and January 19. Although skeptics dismiss astrology as pseudoscience, others are fascinated by the possible influence the celestial bodies may have on their lives. Others simply enjoy the entertainment value.

Interestingly, Capricorn's symbol is the Goat of Fear, which is a creature with the body of a goat and the tail of a fish. Astrology Zodiac Sign reports the Goat of Fear "is created to face fear and create panic." The creature also symbolizes a Capricorn's bravery in the face of fear, contrasted with being "constantly afraid of their inner monsters."

As reported by Elite Daily, Capricorns have a number of positive traits, including being punctual, hardworking, logical, organized, ambitious, honest, patient, and loyal.

However, Capricorns can have a dark side. Exemplore reports "Capricorns find it hard to acquire and maintain basic social skills." They are also driven by a compulsion to acquire money and prestige. Capricorns are further known for hiding their true emotions and opinions by displaying "fake niceness." 

As reported by Exemplore, Capricorns rarely admit when they have made a mistake and believe they are "good at everything they do." They are also notorious for holding grudges, especially against former love interests.

KillerCloud reports there are around 55 known serial killers who were born under the Capricorn zodiac sign, including some of the most famous serial killers in the world.   

According to KillerCloud, more serial killers are Capricorns than any other sign. AZBigMedia reports Capricorn serial killers have also murdered the most victims of any zodiac sign.

Niels Högel is a German serial killer, who was active between 1999 and 2005. As reported by BBC, Högel was working as a nurse in the cities of Delmenhorst and Oldenburg when he was arrested on suspicion of killing as many as 100 of his patients.

As reported by Exemplore, prestige is very important to Capricorns, and Högel was no exception.

Prosecutors said Högel administered his patients with lethal doses of a heart medication, which forced them into cardiac arrest. He would then jump in to resuscitate them in an attempt to impress his colleagues with his life-saving skills. Although his efforts were not always successful, BBC reports he became known as the "Resuscitation Rambo," for his aggressive attempts to save the patients' lives.

Högel's misdeeds were exposed in 2005 when he was caught administering one of his patients a medication that had not been prescribed. As reported by BBC, Högel was ultimately convicted of murder in that incident, and sentenced to seven years in jail. However, detectives eventually learned he may have been responsible for the deaths of more than 100 others.

Amid their investigation, the detectives scrutinized Högel's patient records and ordered the exhumation of 130 bodies for further examination. 

Although he eventually admitted killing as many as 55 people, BBC reports Niels Högel was eventually convicted of a total of 85 counts of murder. According to the Oldenburg hospital records, the number of resuscitations and deaths "more than doubled" in the years Högel worked there.

Harold Shipman is another Capricorn serial killer who worked in the medical profession. As reported by KillerCloud, Shipman was a British serial killer, who was active between 1971 and 1998. He had 15 confirmed and as many as 250 possible victims.

Although Niels Högel gave his patients fatal doses of medication so he could gain prestige when he resuscitated them, Shipman's motive was not as clear. However, as reported by Mirror, he profited from many of the murders, as he had become friendly with a number of his patients and was left money in their wills.

Exemplore reports Capricorns are notoriously good at charming others with "fake niceness" and are often strongly motivated by money.

According to Mirror, Shipman was known as a "good doctor," who was respected and adored by his patients. He was specifically known for being caring and gentle with his elderly patients. 

Shipman was ultimately reported to authorities by a funeral director, who noted the sheer number of Shipman's patients who died, and how many cremation requests were signed by the doctor.

Killercloud reports Shipman was convicted on 15 counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Like many Capricorns, Dorothea Puente was strongly motivated by money, and cunning enough to trick people into trusting her.

As reported by KillerCloud, Puente was an American serial killer, who was active between 1982 and 1988. She had nine confirmed victims and 25 possible victims. 

In the 1980s, Puente ran a boarding house for disadvantaged and mentally ill men and women. Sactown Mag reports authorities were called to the house in November 1988, when a social worker reported one of their clients had vanished. His last known address was Puente's boarding house.

Although authorities did not find anything unusual inside the house, another tenant told them a number of large holes had been dug, and refilled, in the backyard. As reported by Sactown Mag, a subsequent search revealed seven corpses were buried in the backyard.

Authorities eventually determined Puente poisoned her tenants with prescription medication, then buried them in her yard. As their deaths were not reported, the tenants' Social Security checks continued being delivered to the house. Sactown Mag reports Puente cashed the checks, which totaled an estimated $5,000 each month.

Puente was a well-respected member of the community, who was active in a number of local charities. As reported by Exemplore, Capricorns seek prestige, and are "good at everything they do." This was certainly the case for Puente — until she was caught.

Puente was convicted on three counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

American serial killer Janie Lou Gibbs, who is accused of killing her husband, three sons, and one grandson, was, like many Capricorns, motivated by money. As reported by Hell Horror, Gibbs poisoned the members of her family with fatal doses of rat poisoning.

By all accounts, Gibbs was devoted to her family and her church — where she often volunteered. According to Exemplore, it is important for Capricorns to appear to be good parents. They are also very adept at concealing their true nature.

Gibbs filled that role perfectly. However, behind closed doors, she plotted to murder the members of her family so she could collect the life insurance money. Hell Horror reports Gibbs mixed the rat poison into her family's food, and their deaths were initially attributed to other causes.

In addition to evading detection, Gibbs gained sympathy from the members of her church. She even donated some of the life insurance proceeds to the church to thank them for their support as she grieved.

As reported by Hell Horror, a doctor became suspicious when Gibbs eldest son and her grandson both died within one month. Post-mortem testing revealed both were poisoned with arsenic.

Gibbs was ultimately charged with five counts of murder and was sentenced to five life terms in prison.

KillerCloud reports other famous Capricorn serial killers include, the "Wolf of Moscow," Vasili Komaroff; "The Candyman," Dean Corll; and the "Freeway Killer," William Bonin.