Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious serial killers, defended himself in his trial on these charges, while several women were waiting for him outside the courthouse, supporting and defending him. Well, they did not believe that a very beautiful man, in their opinion, could perform such actions. These people had hybridophilia.

This attraction that people, especially women, can feel towards criminals is something that has been studied by many psychologists.

What is hybridophilia?

As defined by the American Psychological Association, this is understood as “sexual interest and attraction to criminals.”

According to research by sexologist and physician John Money in 1986, crimes can range from armed robbery to rape or murder. Only in some cases is it a situation that can lead the attracted person to commit a crime. It is popularly known as “Bonnie and Clyde syndrome”.

In her publication “Women love serial killers,” clinical psychologist Katherine Ramsland mentions that attractiveness can be explained in certain patterns that are studied in women who are married or have lasting relationships with convicted criminals.

Dr. As Ramsland explains, these women may believe that “their love can change faith.” According to this theory, women would see injured people in need of salvation in these criminals. Which they can provide.

Another reason may be that they want the attention the media gives to criminals and the women who persecute them. This is probably to get his own reputation and be able to live off of it.

It should be clarified that this syndrome is not a condition that can be found only in women. But if it is more dominant in the female gender. So far, specific social patterns such as social status, geographic location, education, among others, have not been clarified. It gives a more specific idea of ​​which women might be more attracted to this type of person.

But Ramsland found that it tends to recur more in women between the ages of 30 and 40.

Are there types of hybridophilia?

They can be defined as densities rather than types. For some people, it is not even necessary to have a physical relationship with the killers, but it is necessary to maintain some kind of contact with them, such as by letter.

Serial killers such as Charles Manson, Richard Ramirez or Ted Bundy were among the people who received the most letters in prisons, and many of these letters were from people, especially women declaring their love.

However, there is a type of hybridophilia, which is considered more aggressive, in which women not only form emotional and physical relationships with criminals, but also get involved in their actions.

What other explanations are there?

Various studies and hypotheses have emerged to explain this attraction. Ramsland even offers a theory in which he finds a possible source in relationships between apes.

There, females often prefer “bigger, louder, and more aggressive” males that show clear signs of their masculinity. In this sense, the psychologist suggests that it is possible for the same thing to happen with some people.

Are there examples of this?

There are several media cases about hybridophilia.

While Ted Bundy was on trial for two murders and other assaults recorded at Florida State University, Carole Ann Boone, who worked with him, agreed to marry and have children.

For example, the Manson family, as he was nicknamed, was a cult of women who loved and acted on Charles Manson’s orders, killing more than five people in a given time period.

Even after his respective sentences, Manson received love letters from various women who knew him over time and intrigued the bloody leader.

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