Ripper Crew
A Satanic cult, which practiced cannibalism and necrophilia and is responsible for the murders of several women
1981 - 1982
Warning: This page contains graphic information concerning ritualistic murder which some readers may find disturbing
The Ripper Crew, also known as the Chicago Rippers, was a satanic cult that was responsible for a string of horrific murders that shocked the nation in the early 1980s. Their reign of terror began in 1982 when several women were brutally murdered with the same ritualistic mutilations. The police were at a loss to identify the culprits, and the public was left in a state of fear and panic. However, one woman managed to survive the cult's brutal attacks, and her bravery ultimately led to the capture of four individuals who were part of the group.
Further investigations revealed that the Ripper Crew was not only involved in ritualistic murders but also engaged in cannibalism and necrophilia. Adding another layer of darkness to the story, Robin Gecht, the cult's ringleader, was seen as a respected family man by his community; yet, he had also worked for the infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
In the end, members were held accountable for their actions. One of the Chicago Rippers was released on parole in 2019, while another received a life sentence without parole and a third member was executed under the death penalty. However, the ringleader of the group was never prosecuted for his involvement and went on to commit another heinous crime, brutally raping a woman and leaving her for dead.
Religion: Satanism
Leader: Robin Gecht
Founded: 1981
Ended: 1982
Size: 4
Location: Chicago, Illinois, US
Also called: Chicago Rippers
The Ripper Crew believed that the leader controlled them with supernatural powers (source)
The Ripper Crew confessed to up to 17 murders, and many of the victim's remains were never found (source)
the cult killed and mutilated Linda Sutton, a 26-year-old mother, in 1981 (source)
Members kidnapped, murdered, and sexually mutilated 21-year-old Lorry Borowski in 1982 (source)
Members murdered 30-year-old Shui Mak in 1982 (source)
The Ripper Crew attacked a 23-year-old woman in 1982, but she survived (source)
Members raped and murdered 18-year-old Sandra Delaware in 1982 (source)
Members raped and murdered 30-year-old Rose Davis in 1982 (source)
Members murdered 28-year-old Rafael Tirado, and wounded his friend, in 1982 (source)
Members raped and mutilated an 18-year-woman in 1982, but she survived (source)
Necrophilia: the Ripper Crew masturbated into the severed breasts of the murder victims (source)
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Andrew Kokoraleis received the death penalty for his involvement in the Ripper Crew's crimes and was the last inmate ever executed in Illinois (source)
Thomas Kokoraleis was released from prison in 2019 (source)
The cult kidnapped women and brought them to a homemade satanic temple (source)
Cannibalism: the Ripper Crew cut off the left breast of female victims, which they ate as a Satanic sacrament (source)
The ringleader of the Ripper Crew was employed by the famous serial killer John Wayne Gacy (source)
Ringleader Robin Gecht's son was convicted of murder in 2000 for an incident that was unrelated to the actions of the Ripper Crew (source)
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Interview with a member