Netflix Explores Aileen Wuornos in New Documentary Premiering October 30

Los Angeles, CA – Netflix will release a new documentary titled “Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers” on October 30, focusing on the life and crimes of Aileen Wuornos, a woman convicted of murdering seven men in the early 1990s.

The documentary dives into Wuornos’ widely-publicized trials, which helped solidify her image as a notorious female serial killer. Wuornos was executed by lethal injection in 2002, after confessing to her crimes and being convicted for six murders.

According to George Mason University, female serial killers represent a small fraction of documented cases. However, figures like Wuornos, known as the “Giggling Granny,” Nanny Doss, and Jane Toppan, have captured public attention for over a century.

Criminologist Scott Bonn notes that female serial killers often commit their crimes for financial gain, leading to the stereotype of the “Black Widow” killer. While female killers tend to choose victims from familiar spaces, Wuornos targeted strangers, revealing motives that align more with male serial killers.

During her trial for the murder of Richard Mallory, Wuornos argued she acted in self-defense, claiming he had assaulted her. However, her defense was complicated by her previous confession to police. In a recorded conversation with her girlfriend Tyria Moore, Wuornos admitted to killing her victims.

Wuornos was convicted of first-degree murder and later pleaded no contest to three other murders. Despite claiming self-defense, she ultimately retracted those statements. She faced execution at age 46, on October 9, 2002, in Starke, Florida.

Wuornos’ story has influenced popular culture significantly, inspiring films like “Monster,” which earned Charlize Theron an Academy Award for her portrayal of Wuornos. The upcoming Netflix documentary will include archival footage and interviews, providing insight into her complex motivations and the judicial system’s reaction.

As interest in female killers continues, Netflix’s documentary seeks to explore the broader societal questions that surround Wuornos’ case. “Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers” will start streaming on October 30, produced in partnership with BBC Studios and NBC News Studios.