In this haunting episode of Unlawful Acts, we unravel the terrifying case of Richard Cottingham, better known as The Torso Killer—a man whose crimes shocked even the most seasoned investigators. Operating throughout the 1970s and 80s in New Jersey and New York, Cottingham targeted women in a spree of sadistic violence that included torture, mutilation, and dismemberment.

Known for leaving behind only the torsos of his victims, Cottingham evaded capture for years while living a seemingly normal life as a husband, father, and computer operator. But behind closed doors, he was committing some of the most brutal and disturbing murders in modern history.

We examine the chilling methods, the forensic breakthroughs that exposed him, and his twisted confessions that continue to surface even decades later.

This is not just a story of murder—it’s a descent into madness.

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