Dennis Nilsen

Dennis Nilsen

Dennis Nilsen

Dennis Nilsen (23 November 1945 – 12 May 2018) was a Scottish serial killer and necrophile who murdered at least twelve young men and boys between 1978 and 1983 in London, England. Nilsen is often referred to as the "Muswell Hill Murderer" due to the location of his later murders and the disposal of his victims' remains.

Early Life

Dennis Andrew Nilsen was born on 23 November 1945 in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was the second of three children born to Elizabeth Duthie Whyte and Olav Magnus Moksheim, a Norwegian soldier who had traveled to Scotland in 1940 as part of the Free Norwegian Forces. Nilsen's parents divorced when he was young, and he was primarily raised by his mother and maternal grandfather.

Military Service

Nilsen enlisted in the British Army in 1961, where he trained as a cook. He served as a cook in the Army Catering Corps and was stationed in various locations, including West Germany and the Middle East. Nilsen was honorably discharged in 1972 and subsequently joined the Metropolitan Police Service in London, although he resigned after less than a year.

Murders

Nilsen's killing spree began in late 1978. His victims were often homeless or homosexual men whom he would lure to his home with promises of food, alcohol, or shelter. Once there, Nilsen would strangle or drown them before performing acts of necrophilia. He would then dismember their bodies and dispose of the remains by burning them, flushing them down the toilet, or hiding them in his home.

Nilsen's first known victim was Stephen Holmes, a 14-year-old whom he killed on 30 December 1978. Over the next five years, Nilsen continued to murder young men, with his final victim being Stephen Sinclair, whom he killed in January 1983.

Arrest and Trial

Nilsen was arrested on 9 February 1983 after human remains were discovered blocking a drain near his home. Upon his arrest, Nilsen immediately confessed to the murders, providing detailed accounts of his crimes. He was charged with six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Nilsen's trial began on 24 October 1983 at the Old Bailey. He pleaded not guilty by reason of diminished responsibility, citing mental health issues. However, the jury found him guilty of six counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. On 4 November 1983, Nilsen was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 25 years.

Imprisonment and Death

Nilsen spent the rest of his life in various prisons, including HMP Full Sutton and HMP Whitemoor. He died on 12 May 2018 at the age of 72 at HMP Full Sutton from a pulmonary embolism and retroperitoneal hemorrhage.

Legacy

Dennis Nilsen's crimes have had a lasting impact on British society and have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and a television drama. His case has also prompted discussions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals and the importance of mental health support.

See Also

• Serial killer
• Necrophilia
• Metropolitan Police Service
• Old Bailey