20 People Who Survived Famous Serial Killers

Talk about a close call! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re examining twenty people who survived attacks by some of the world’s most famous killers. Our countdown of people who survived famous serial killers includes The Zodiac Killer, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and more! Have you ever had a run-in with a shady figure? Let us know in the comments below!
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#SerialKiller
#Survivor
#Killer
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#CloseCall
#History
#Survived

[@WatchMojo]

Have you ever had a run-in with a shady figure? Let us know in the comments below! For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2nIf42cjpuhnas Play our Daily Point Battles to earn MojoPoints and qualify for CASH BATTLES! Check it out: WatchMojo.com/play

[@Lol-ll5gh]

Not me, but my bfs mom. We're all from the pnw (Washington and oregon) She has long dark hair, it was a year or two before he was caught. She was young, hitchhiking to get somewhere luckily she had her husband with her but he was taking a pee in the trees along the side of the road and she had her thumb out. That's when Ted bundy pulled up in his car, asked if she needed a ride, she agreed and he reached over to open the door for her and she said he was totally charming and relaxed up until she called for her husband to tell him to hurry because she found a ride... She said he panicked and told her he couldn't take them both, asked her to get out, and peeled out driving away.

[@michaelmyersfangirl]

I was almost taken by a serial killer in elementary school. Don't know if he was ever caught.

[@Shadowcat753]

Well, my middle school computer teacher was accused of multiple cases of molesting the boys in our school. Luckily, being a girl and one of the stronger kids in my class, I wasn't a target.

[@ChristoAbrie]

One time i was job hunting. My friend heard from a colleague about something that i could apply to and told me to send him copies of my ID, etc. After telling me it was a driving job, he stopped communicating (the colleague not my friend). Someone else phoned me later that morning to enquire if i just applied for a security job. I'm like, no i didn't. He was confused and hung up. Few minutes later someone completely different phoned me and was immediately shouting and swearing at me for not understanding the other guy (first red flag). I'm calmly trying to explain to the person that there's been some sort of miscommunication while he's still shouting at me. Eventually he calmed down enough to fully explain the job that i applied to. Second red flag. He explained that the job is for a security driver on a private government run secure location for VIPs. Firstly I was still young and didn't have a gun license, i didn't even know how to handle a gun at that point. Biggest red flag. He then told me that the bus to the secure location was leaving the next morning and he'd only tell me where it was heading when I'm on the bus. And he was deliberately vague about where the bus is gonna be that morning. Firstly, what kjnd of security job hires an untrained unlicensed kid for a very high profile job? What kind of employer berates and shouts at the job applicant over the phone before they even met?! The whole leaving next day sitch. WTF, an employer is supposed to setup a meeting with the applicant (usually a week later) before deciding to give him the job. Plus if it involves relocating, he legally must inform the applicant about that possibility and give them appropriate time to think it through and make plans. I'm just glad i told him no, now I'm just wondering if he was involved in something illegal.

[@infernoman999]

I'll be completely honest. I did, and I thought he was my friend. A long time ago, I had a staff who helped me out with pretty much everything. Though one day I made a phone call to confirm what my homework was. Said staff later called me out and locked me in the car with him for about 10 minutes. All we did was sit in silence. Afterwards he let me out. I later locked myself in my room and barricaded the door. I cussed out his girlfriend, he heard, and, figuratively, broke down the door. He then pinned me against the wall, so I had no choice but to spit in his eye in self-defense. I then went outside in an effort to calm down. When I thought I was calm enough, I attempted to come back in only realizing that the door was locked. I was locked out of my own house. I attempted to come back in, but was denied entry. Eventually they let me back in. The next day, both of them were promptly fired and now I have a restraining order put on them.

[@BigFella117]

I feel so sorry that these people had to go through this trauma, and I feel equally sorry for those who did not

[@samanthahunter1759]

I can't even imagine the lifelong trauma and potential survivors guilt that these people must suffer. I just hope that they have found some peace and happiness in their lives.

[@hipsterwriter]

Ptsd, they suffer some ptsd and same time panic attacks

[@varunsrinidhi4747]

​@@hipsterwriterlooks like soldiers who served in the armed forces aren't the only ones who suffer from ptsd.

[@youngcasperjett7584]

Call me crazy, but I’d rather the mf just kill me, instead of living the rest of my life scared and looking over my shoulder. That PTSD gotta be terrible

[@mika9916]

Probably equally as traumatic as trying to save someone who's being attacked and yet they still end up hurt or worse. I've had that horrific experience once when I was in my early teens. I have to shake away the unwanted memories that still creep their way into my mind every so often. I really hate those memories.

[@jadepixie2719]

Caroline Owens should also be on this list too, she survived a full on attack by both Fred and his wife Rose West in the 70s, she testified against Rose at her trial in 1995 which resulted in her conviction and Rose was given a whole life term.

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

It’s frightening to see Ted Bundy here twice.

[@whovianhistorybuff]

Im thinking he should have 3 as on the night he attacked the Sorority house he also broke into the apartment of Cheryl Thomas and viciously attacked her, she also survived.

[@martinsgmireks1509]

Didn't he had a girlfriend for some time? Or it's someone else?

[@Baysidemom2]

​@@martinsgmireks1509 yes a girlfriend and once he was imprisoned married and impregnated another woman

[@rodolfobrenner5404]

These people are not just survivors, they are heroes, without them these monsters wouldn't be caught

[@LennoxMatt1]

Angela Lansbury was concerned about a guy her daughter was around and moved her to the UK. The guy was Charles Manson

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

Smart move. Manson didn’t kill his followers but he had his followers kill for him. And one of those who didn’t kill before his arrest didn’t ended up trying to assassinate President Ford so she can go to the same prison as Manson. I only have two words to say about his death and it was my first response when I first heard of his death: Good Riddance

[@vanessafuchs8589]

She moved her family in Ireland

[@devinreis5811]

That is wild.

[@Lol-ll5gh]

Not me, but my bfs mom. We're all from the pnw (Washington and oregon) She has long dark hair, it was a year or two before he was caught. She was young, hitchhiking to get somewhere luckily she had her husband with her but he was taking a pee in the trees along the side of the road and she had her thumb out. That's when Ted bundy pulled up in his car, asked if she needed a ride, she agreed and he reached over to open the door for her and she said he was totally charming and relaxed up until she called for her husband to tell him to hurry because she found a ride... She said he panicked and told her he couldn't take them both, asked her to get out, and peeled out driving away.

[@CandiceVidito]

Those people are lucky to have survived such a horrible event.

[@Reaperguy67]

I argree with you. It's scary as well

[@Slayde.Wilson]

@Reaperguy67 btw murray.king2015 is spamming about Chinese Girls this time.

[@Reaperguy67]

@@Slayde.Wilson wow. Report him

[@johnmcnulty2705]

I'm sure there's evidence that the guy who survived the Zodiac Killer was indeed a victim, but you can't deny that looks alot like the composite sketch.

[@wendeboyd503]

I've always thought Zodiac was 2 people and it's crazy how much he looks like the sketch

[@AntonXul]

It’s the nerd glasses. Those glasses were very common during those years. They are very distinctive and distracting.

[@user-sc9dv5ni7c]

I feel bad for the other victims who were not so lucky to survive these monsters 💔 😢 😔

[@johnv.2914]

As a kid on a path next to a river close to my home a strange man approached me. Thank God I listened to my gut feeling to just get back on my bike and ride like a bat out of hell. He was too slow in his running thank God again. Never went back there without a friend or family.

[@Tgrovez]

when and where did this happen?

[@johnv.2914]

@@Tgrovez In Belgium, 2 miles from my childhood home there was and still is a river. Happened 36 years ago.

[@cheyennebrennan966]

If we're talking about survivours of the Wests, I think it's important to remember Caroline Lucas: She was subjected to a horrific ordeal, and actually alerted the police for the first time. Unfortunately, she was too afraid to face them in court, so they were simply fined for it.

[@Keithfire100]

Everyone should be aware and protect themselves from these sneaky monsters

[@nixda9326]

ooh first, you dont always recognize them at first glance and second they have their methods to still catch their victims. why do you think many of them got away with their crimes for so long?

[@Keithfire100]

@@nixda9326 ok but some people have the ability to read people

[@nixda9326]

@@Keithfire100 but not everyone. and like i said many Killers have their methods to get away with their crimes for years because many of them are sadly also very clever. best examples are the Zodiac Killer and Jack the Ripper.

[@adrianfleming3437]

Stop making out there around every corner 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@nixda9326]

@@adrianfleming3437 wow how unfunny.

[@jadepixie2719]

How about Peter Sutcliffe/The Yorkshire ripper and the 9 other people who survived his attack.

[@jessicashannon4178]

Sadly, I was a victim up being molested by my uncle at the age of 15 and being raped by my foster dad at the age of 17/18. Sadly, those two occurrences caused me to become afraid and very untrustful of men while I was going through being raped by my foster dad, I had made a friend at that time. The friend didn’t know until a year later the friend stood by my side for 14 years they waited patiently the light at the end of the tunnel for me was that the friend waited and understood my predicament and I love the hell out of this person and because of the encouragement my friend gave me we are going to be happily married in 2026. Thank you for always being there for me, can’t wait till I can call you husband.

[@nikkinitrogen]

Sadly, that happens more often than is reported. Sadly, they have lifelong impacts.

[@jessicashannon4178]

@@nikkinitrogen that is 100% true luckily my uncle confessed to what he did my foster father hid behind his and the last thing I said to him before I left was that my uncle is more of a man than you’ll ever be because at least he was willing to confess his crimes where as you’re willing to hide behind yours

[@Nola5427]

I' m sorry that you had that happen to you, i' m glad you had a friend there for you through it, Congratulations on your up coming wedding, I wish you both a long, healthy, happy life! 💗

[@jessicashannon4178]

@@Nola5427 Thank you so much

[@musketeersplus2]

I used to go to parties on Robert Pickton's pig farm in the mid-late 90's. I was a friend of his brother Dave, so I was always safe (nobody messed with Dave), but learning about what happened there later was chilling.

[@devinreis5811]

That is absolutely wild.

[@AdmirDemondo]

I remember the pickton case I’m from the Vancouver area. That was such a fucked up story

[@celestinelocsin]

wow thanks for telling your stories!

[@Opre010]

There's another man who survived the zodiac killer. His name is Michael Renaer (I' don't know if I wrote his second name correctly).

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

Some surviving victims aren’t just some random person serial killers find. Some of them are the boyfriends/girlfriends and/or spouce of said serial killer that by some miracle avoided being killed without participating in the murders themselves. On some occasions there are survivors from the serial killer’s own family. Many of them had told their stories of survival on the show Evil Lives Here

[@xMR_FRODOx]

My dad escaped a serial killer in the 90s in Adelaide, Australia.

[@ernapalomar8267]

Video Idea: Top 10 Best Keegan-Michael Key Voice Acting Performances.

[@briannabarone8052]

I’m from Merillville, Indiana and have NEVER heard about the beauty queen killer… chilling!!

[@btshea9537]

The first one shocked me! My grandparents lived close to that mall. We would visit them at least 3 times a year and they always took my siblings & cousins to that mall. I never heard about this killer!

[@krissyturner88]

Robert Yates: Spokane serial killer lived a few blocks from me and I saw him around quite a bit.....YIKES!!

[@steblair]

She testified to the police who didn’t take her seriously and treated her badly. Then after he killed people did they realize maybe she wasn’t crazy

[@Animeguy300]

That's good to know

[@AuroraBlood]

Ramirez was not a satanist. He was a Satan worshipper. As a satanist myself, I would like to remind that we satanists don't even believe in Satan. I am an atheist, for example. Satanists also don't condone violene.

[@soramembrino82]

That is messed up.

[@AuroraBlood]

@@soramembrino82 What is?

[@soramembrino82]

@@AuroraBloodhim worshiping the lord’s enemy.

[@AuroraBlood]

@@soramembrino82 Why did your god create an enemy? An honest question.

[@soramembrino82]

@@AuroraBloodI didn't read the Bible, so, I don't know.

[@LoveMyAnime1218]

once when I was in highschool I would walk by myself and take the bus, my first class back then started at 6:45 am so I would take the 6:30am bus to get to school. Anyways, one time when I was walking a car pulled over and this man started to talk to me. he asked if I knew where Elliot street was. yes I do know cause its one of the streets in my town. But I was so surprised by him I gave him wrong direction. However this is where it got weird. He kept saying "I cant hear you" so I talked louder and again "I cant hear you can you come closer?" he said. Yeah I didnt get any closer I just talked louder and stayed on the side walk kept my distance. then he asked me where I was going and what my name was. I gave him a fake name and at this point I was getting a bad vibe from him so I told him I was going to miss the town bus and just ran off. Thankful he drove off. Maybe he was just a normal guy? But I wasnt going to take my chances....

[@manickitty2783]

Unrelated, but doesn't Dean Carter's mug shot look like a younger Johnny Depp? It's like his body double.

[@Deathlylucyville]

Don’t you mean *infamous*

[@Mia-dt3gl]

Denise Williams should have been on this list. She survived Paul Michael Stephani, the Weepy-Voiced Killer. Stephani got this name because after he killed his victims (who were mostly prostitutes) he would call 9-1-1 crying about his crimes. Denise was picked up by him, but when he attacked her she fought back HARD. She was able to get away, and when Stephani returned to his apartment he realized how effed up he was and was forced to call 9-1-1 to get medical assistance. This 9-1-1 call was easily linked to his weepy 9-1-1 calls and he was caught.

[@cajundevildog]

Great trip down memory lane....thank you!!! 😢

[@cajundevildog]

@@nixda9326 I'm not certain wtf you're talking about....my comment was genuine. 😮‍💨

[@erikadowdy2382]

Great video 🎉

[@pickneykids9107]

Dean Carter looks like Johnny depp

[@jerodeverly3357]

Surprised the girl who survived Tommy Lynn Sells didn't make the list. Had her throat cut and everything, but miraculously survived.

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

My uncle dad (my ex-step-grandfather (my uncle is my biological mom’s maternal half-brother)) was offered a job from John Wayne Gacey, but Gacey offered it through his mom who had forgotten about it before telling him until they saw the news on Gacey’s arrest and learn many of Gacey’s victims were boys he hired for his business

[@nikkinitrogen]

what in the Alabama...

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

@@nikkinitrogen I think you got the wrong serial killer. I’m talking about the killer clown John Wayne Gacey. He used multiple ways to hunt down victims including picking up hitch hikers and hiring boys for his business. He once even worked as a clown called Pogo this the nickname killer clown.

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

@@nikkinitrogen no. You might be thinking of a different serial killer. Gacey killed boys mainly in Chicago Area

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

Gacey’s had more than one way of finding victims. Not just picking up hitchhikers

[@ashleighstratmann7783]

Many might recognize him by his serial killer nickname: the Killer Clown

[@irawilliams343]

I can only imagine how much therapy these people need in order to continue living out their lives after such harrowing experiences

[@AlloraLang]

Not me, but one of my professors was looking after her mom at the heart hospital and unknowingly foiled an assault attempt by killer nurse William George Davis.

[@thedragonauthority]

The Zodiac Killer: never caught but identified.

[@ricoeshawyatt082]

this just broke my heart. she’s so beautiful💔

[@ZomBeeNature]

I have heard of some of these serial killers. I'm glad those people got away.

[@AdmirDemondo]

What about Kara Robinson she survived Richard evonits . She should’ve been included in this video

[@tylergoodman3560]

God bless everyone who survived these monsters. 🎉

[@FabianDiazGutierrez]

ted Bundy is scary.😰😰😰

[@annmarieelliott6717]

Yes, he’s 🥶

[@Colette735]

Another one is Kara Robinson which she survived by Richard Evonitz

[@user-dt8vy2yb3d]

Those 20 surviving victims of serial killers. They thought they were dead, but beaten the odds & bring the serial killers to justice in the end. CASE CLOSED!!!

[@fionnmaccumhaill3257]

I survived a serial killer, but not a famous one.

[@alanives8679]

Who?

[@easypickens13]

They forgot Angry Grandpa was friends with Pewee gastkins

[@celestinelocsin]

did they ever find the zodiac killer? they need to reopen the case

[@chrismeulen8108]

pretty sure that case has never been closed in the first place, in recent years they decyphered another one of this notes, and he may or may not have been identified as a guy who died in 2018. but no evidence, means we'll never know.

[@lad4702]

It started 56 years ago, hed have to be in his 70s or 80s now? (Thats if hes still even alive) .... the case is like the JTR case ie never be solved?

[@nixda9326]

@@chrismeulen8108 isnt it a cold case now?

[@nixda9326]

no they didnt. but that was long long ago and he is surely now dead. so why should they reopen the case?

[@alexandria5955]

wow, today I found out Holly Dunn was attacked in my hometown, I thought her name sounded familar, but its crazy we dont speak on the boyfriend christopher it at all

[@Tipper16]

John Wayne Gacy would've got me with that joint too😂😂😂 Him; hey get in. Me; no Him; I got a joint.... Me; ☠️☠️☠️

[@zinniaq3020]

Is that Stephanie McMahon?

[@lukeroca5217]

Look at the freaky dodger cheesing after Neilson passed by

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Hanson was thought to have??? He did, just say it

[@jgg75]

5:15 Top 10 voice artists who did their job on the toilet...

[@kellydonahue762]

@14:15 By definition, Speck is not a Serial Killer. He would be a Spree Killer.

[@ROCKONplaceboforever]

They were the lucky ones rip to those who did get murdered 🙏

[@brandisuperstar]

These people were meant to survive because the Universe wasn't going to allow this anymore 🙏 Amazing souls !

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

What I’ve learned is that to get young guys to come with you just offer them beer

[@Nola5427]

Beer ia soooo gross! 🤢🤑🤮

[@rubygracemoseley8144]

@@Nola5427 Well not to everyone. My mom doesn’t like it but my ex stepfather really likes it. It’s an acquired taste I guess. Some people like it and some don’t

[@Nola5427]

@@rubygracemoseley8144 I know I myself find it gross, I don' t know how some ppl can drink it.

[@stevebennet6018]

What about the boy and the girl that survived Dean corill when his accomplished shot him?

[@Beastgoku221]

This why mom almost died but my moms bf trying Bust the door

[@jolinkarlsson8569]

They do call Nilsen the Brittish Jeffrey Dahmer they were very similar but not on everything and my heart goes out to the victims both alive and dead and their family and friends

[@ambershaikh92]

I choose the bear

[@Cluelezz78]

Shouldn’t say famous like they’re a celebrity or something 😢

[@randomguypostanimeupdates6703]

This is survive the famous killer's i mean this is so pretty horrible and they trauma with it but man got those killer's are behind the bars right now a

[@SokMunkie]

Had his way with her?

[@Nola5427]

Probably have to censor the R word for You- Tube 🙄

[@JaylenPotts-zs2qw]

Wow they must have had stamina and physic abilities. Especially the ones on Forensic abd Fbi Files.

[@jorgeadairramos7469]

Hello good nights 😮🎉😮🎉😮

[@Slayde.Wilson]

Bot

[@Nola5427]

🙄

[@Joethehorrorfan]

What do you call a serial killer in a bakery? A cereal killer, obviously.

[@CandiceVidito]

Not funny nor appropriate for this kind of video. Have some respect.

[@jimbo9208]

not funny

[@Reaperguy67]

This is not the place for it

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

They escaped from THE PROMISED NEVERLAND!

[@judsonleach5248]

Ever notice these weirdo killers ALWAYS have THREE Names?!? - There's a "CIA Conspiracy Theory" in there!....Somewhere! lol

[@Papa-OnePotatoNearYou]

Have any of y’all signed a contract with Netflix?

[@kana2113]

Netflix doesn’t have contracts

[@Papa-OnePotatoNearYou]

@@kana2113 I do remember Dave Chappelle turned down a $50 million dollar contract with Netflix, but I don’t work for Netflix so? I’m not gonna dig too deep into that one.

[@HighHeelKnight]

Video topics like these make me question why I continue to remain subscribed. 👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎 Thank goodness for the "HIDE" option on the subscription feed.

[@Slayde.Wilson]

And yet here you are watching them.

[@jimbo9208]

why are you even here then

[@CandiceVidito]

Don't let the virtual door hit you on the way out!

[@ericrossoni]

Why? What’s wrong with the video?

[@lad4702]

Get back to watching videos they make about fake films and cartoons then kid 🤦‍♂️

[@RonnieObama]

Anyone notice the similarities between all these killers…. But yall love saying Black ppl are the dangerous ones

[@chrismeulen8108]

yeah, because you are, however this video is not about serial killers in general, it's about people who SURVIVED them, meaning black serial killers are probably better at their job, as none were on this list.

[@RonnieObama]

@@chrismeulen8108i knew one of you enemies of the sun would come and complain

[@followthelightspeaks]

Because black serial killers get no notarity in the media

[@Nola5427]

Psychos come in every colour and race.

[@Nola5427]

@sup_my_bwana Don' t be a racist, trash comes in every colour and background.