Determining the youngest female serial killer is challenging due to the lack of a universally accepted definition of "serial killer" and the difficulty in definitively proving multiple murders committed by individuals, especially in the past. However, several cases stand out:
Notable Cases
- Mary Bell: Born in 1957, Bell became notorious for the murders of two young boys in 1968 in England. She was convicted at age 11, making her one of the youngest individuals convicted of murder in modern times.
- Brenda Spencer: In 1979, at the age of 16, Spencer fired upon students at a San Diego elementary school, killing two children. While not a serial killer in the traditional sense, her actions were motivated by a desire to cause harm and were deemed malicious and premeditated.
- Sylvia Likens: While not a killer herself, Sylvia Likens was a victim of extreme torture and abuse at the hands of Gertrude Baniszewski and her children in 1965. Sylvia was 16 years old when she was murdered, and the case is considered one of the most horrific examples of child abuse in American history.
It's important to note that these cases represent a spectrum of violence and that the legal definitions of murder and serial killing can vary significantly. While some individuals may be considered "youngest" based on their age at the time of their crimes, it's crucial to consider the context and complexities of each case.
