Chikatilo's deadly success and secret weapon

The killer still held many mysteries for police, especially as far as his younger victims were concerned. It was not difficult to fathom why the prostitutes and tramps would go off with him. Many of them were so desperate that they would have gone  off with anyone. The behaviour of the young boys, particularly  those from happy, well-adjusted homes was more difficult to rationalise.

If they had been homosexual, then it might have been easier to explain. But there was no evidence that any of them was. What strange powers did this man exercise in order to lure them to their death? What did he say? Did he order them to follow or did he beg them? And if he promised them something, what was it?

There was no single answer. Chikatilo's deadly success lay rather in the extent to which he had a different approach ready for every one of his victims, the children and young people included. In some cases, the victims themselves would make first contact even if it was only a matter of asking directions or requesting change for a drinks machine. In those cases, it was relatively simple for him to begin a conversation that they had run away from home or were otherwise unhappy or troubled, then it was not difficult for him to go further. Maybe they were hungry or thirsty, he would ask. If so, he could offer them something to eat or drink at his house, which was nearby. And even if they were happy and well-fed, then he knew how to lure them with the offer of a chance to watch some videos or to look at rare stamps.

Regardless of how the initial approach was made, Chikatilo also took advantage of other factors, in particular his appearance: it was difficult for any of his victims to believe that this educated, well-dressed man could be a killer. In a way, this was his secret weapon. Children who would not have dreamed of going off with a younger, more threatening-looking man simply lowered their guard when they came into contact with this soft-spoken uncle or grandfather figure.

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