The Butcher of Rostov

This episode contains extremely disturbing descriptions of violence and brutality towards children and Ukrainian POWs. Listener digression is strongly advised. On this week’s episode of HNTRASK, Michelle and Francis discuss the worst of the worst, Andrei Romanovich Chikatillo. Andrei, nicknamed The Butcher of Rostov, was a killer who other killers would find appalling. Preying almost exclusively on children, The Butcher received this moniker because of his gruesome M.O.: gouging out the eyes of his victims and often removing their organs for sexual gratification. While Andrei was obviously mentally unwell, and that is the understatement of the century, his upbringing in the communist USSR did not help his preexisting conditions. He grew up during a time of extreme famine, where cannibalism was common practice. Listen in to this conversation to learn more about The Butcher, his disturbing childhood, and the historical context that may have played a major role in his success and brutality as a serial killer. Follow us @hownottoraiseaserialkiller on Instagram! Follow us @hntrask on TikTok! Follow Michelle @drmichelleward on Instagram and TikTok! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

Ever wonder if your kids have it in them to be a killer? It's okay, we've all had the thought once or twice. And if you're willing to admit that, you'll love How Not to Raise a Serial Killer. On this podcast, criminal psychologist Dr. Michelle Ward digs into the childhoods of some of the most notorious criminals and killers in order to learn from them and prevent future tragedies. Dr. Ward will use her expertise to determine what went wrong with each killer (a brain injury, an undiagnosed illness, a specific trauma) with the help of a fellow mom/non-expert who can weigh in about their own taboo parenting fears. Because on our better days as parents, we want to know how to raise good humans. But on our worst days, we at least want to know that we're not raising a future serial killer.