The Worst Murders To Ever Take Place In Florida

Serial killers are rare, but their reputation and vicious acts keep people's attention for years.

What defines serial murder varies, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said it occurs when someone kills two or more people in separate events. Usually, these perpetrators need a "cool down" period before they move onto their next target. Their motivations vary, as well -- from anger and financial gain to sexual desire and ideologies.

These incidents happen across the United States, and Florida has its own share of serial killers. Here are the most notorious murderers throughout the Sunshine State's history.

Eddie Lee Moseley

This Fort Lauderdale man was reportedly known as the "Rape Man" in local neighborhoods. According to the Miami New Times, Eddie Lee Mosley killed a dozen women and raped 40 other victims in the 1970s and 80s before his arrest. The Sun Sentinel said the serial killer was declared unfit to stand trial in 1988 and spent the rest of his life in mental hospitals. Mosley died in a Florida medical hospital in May 2020.

Brian Kevin Rosenfeld

Brian Kevin Rosenfeld was a St. Petersburg nurse who pleaded guilty to killing three nursing home patients with drug overdoses. He was sentenced to three life terms in 1992 to be served concurrently with no parole for at least 25 years, according to the Associated Press. Even though Rosenfeld was sentenced for three murders, he allegedly told someone he actually killed 23 people at various nursing homes with the same method.

Danny Rolling

This man is known as the "Gainesville Ripper" for the gruesome ways he would leave his victims after murdering them. Danny Rolling targeted Florida college students, killing five victims in August 1990, according to WKMG. The victims would be found stabbed to death, bound, mutilated and even posed, reporters said. He was reportedly arrested the following month and identified as the perpetrator of these gruesome killings. Rolling was executed at Florida State Prison on October 25, 2006.

Bobby Joe Long

Robert Joseph Long, or Bobby Joe Long, is a serial killer and rapist who terrorized victims in the Tampa Bay area during the 1980s. Sources said he would abduct and sexually assault women before killing them. According to CNN, he even held one victim hostage for 26 hours before letting her go. Long was convicted for the deaths of eight women and was executed on May 23, 2019 for the death of Michelle Simms.

Photos: Getty Images