Netflix viewers show sympathy to serial killer Aileen Wuornos after new crime doc Catching Killers

Netflix viewers have shown sympathy for serial killer Aileen Wuornos and accused Netflix of telling her story unfairly in Catching Killers.

Wuornos, who was born in Rochester, Michigan, shot and murdered seven men in Florida in 1989 and 1990 while they were soliciting sex from her. Wuornos, who was a prostitute at the time to help her girlfriend Tyria Moore, and herself, had been murdered in Florida. She claimed her victims had tried to hurt her, and that all of the homicides were committed in self-defense.

Six of seven victims were killed by her, including Richard Mallory and David Spears. She was found guilty and sentenced to execution. Her execution was by lethal injection, October 9, 2002.

Now, Netflix has delved deeper into the gruesome events surrounding Wuornos’ crimes in the second episode of its latest true crime show, which currently sits at number six on their Top 10 list.

However, after viewing the episode called Manhunter : Aileen Wuornos many took to Twitter to express their views. Many believe Wuornos (also known as the Damsel of Death) may have been unfairly treated. 

Netflix users are showing sympathy for serial killer Aileen WUornos and accuse the streaming site of inadvertently telling her story through their crime documentary, Catching Killers. 

Wuornos was born in Rochester in Michigan and murdered seven Florida men between 1989-1990. They tried to hurt Wuornos, but she said it was self-defense.

Wuornos suffered sexual abuse and beatings from her grandfather when she was a small child. Photo of Wuornos at eleven years old

When she was 14, her parents kicked her out of their house. She began sex work in the woods, and then started to support herself with sex.

Wuornos did not meet her father who was currently in prison when Wuornos was born. He was convicted for sex offences against children, and also had schizophrenia. Wuornos was just 13 when he committed suicide.

Wuornos lost her mom when she was just four years of age. Wuornos moved to the United States with her maternal grandparents. They were both alcohol addicts. Later, she claimed her grandfather had sexually assaulted her and beat her as a child.

She was fourteen years old when she fell pregnant because she claimed she had been raped at the hands of an accomplice to her grandfather. She gave birth to a baby boy on March 23, 1971, who she put up for adoption.

Shortly after her grandmother’s death from liver cancer, she was evicted by her grandfather. While living in the woods, she quit school to support herself and started sex work. 

Brian Jarvis (detective sergeant) said that she had “a terrible family life.” 

“She did not have a father or mother figure. Her father was an experienced criminal.

She went on her own. She was 13 years old when she started smoking cigarettes.

She lived in a vehicle in the woods for quite a time. One time, she purchased a gun to steal a convenience store. She was then arrested.

Wuornos was also arrested for assault, disorderly behavior, armed robbery and car theft in years prior to the murders.

Netflix covered the horrific scenes in episode 2 of their show’s new series, but many people feel Wuornos was unfairly treated. She was photographed during an interview with the police

“Not Netflix painting” [cop]One viewer commented, “perfect-picture and making Aileen Wuornos the monster whose story isn’t even told.” 

Another person said that Wuornos was ‘let down by society’ and that she ‘needed help’

Brian Jarvis, the detective sergeant assigned to her case (pictured), stated in the Netflix documentary: “She entered this mode wherein she was that prey, and she would go out for the kill.”

Steve Binegar, Criminal Investigations Command Commander (pictured), said: “She lived a difficult life, but there are a lot more people who have tough lives. They don’t go on killing sprees.”

While the Netflix series focused on Wuornos’ arrest and police investigation, many viewers felt it did not adequately address her traumatizing childhood. On Twitter, one person stated that the documentary did not tell her side of this story. 

Painting titled “Not Netflix or Catching Killers”. [cop]They wrote that Aileen Wuornos was the villain and perfect-picture, while leaving Aileen Wuornos the hero whose story isn’t even told. “And, of course the system doesn’t have a fault there. 

Wuornos eventually confessed to the murders in an attempt to protect her girlfriend, Moore.

“I was the one who did the murder.” It is clear that my girlfriend doesn’t want to get involved. I know she did nothing, and that I am trying to prove it clear. She could also be heard confessing during an interview.

Then she said, “I don’t understand why it happened.” It was something I shouldn’t have done. It was clear that I was often drunk, but I also was an expert hooker.

They were terrible. They were going to hurt me. They were going to beat, rape, or even kill me. It’s not clear which. I didn’t know which one, so I turned around to do my fair game before anyone got hurt.

Steve Binegar was the Criminal Investigations Command Commander for the case. He said: “She had a hard life. But there’s lots of people out there with tough lives. And they don’t go to a killing spree.

“I’m not sure if she knows the reason. People may think that this is all they need to focus on. But that was not my job.

“My job was to find the murderer and get them behind bars.

Brian stated, “There was something she could do to flip her off. It was like a switch was going off and then she entered this mode of being that aggressor or predator. She would kill anyone who would listen.” 

Wuornos was ultimately found guilty of the crime and sentenced to die. Her execution was by lethal injection, October 9, 2002.

Twitter was overwhelmed with reactions after watching the episode. One person stated that while Aileen’s actions were ‘awful’, they still felt sorry for her.

Other people claimed that she should have a better lawyer and that it would have been different if the case had occurred today.

A third person stated that “her crimes were more horrific than the most common male serial killers.”

‘I’ve never felt sympathy for any serial killer at all and I’ve watched more than 20 documentaries but the Aileen Wuornos case made me tear up a li’l,’ another user wrote

The episode was released on November 4th, 2021. Twitter was overwhelmed with reactions. One person stated that while Aileen’s actions were ‘awful’, they still felt sorry for her.

‘I have no explanation but I’m watching Catching Killers and I feel bad for Aileen Warnos. Seems very much like nature vs nurture. It was horrible. However, I feel sorry for her.

Second Twitter user claimed that Wuornos was “let down” by society, and she needed assistance. The second user wrote that Aileen Wuornos had been ‘let down by society men. Although she needed assistance, her death was justifiable. #CatchingKillers

Some others claimed she deserved better representation and the trial would have been handled differently had it occurred today.

“What if Aileen Woornos had an even better defense lawyer that could prove she was traumatized? She needed mental health treatment?” someone tweeted, with another person adding, ‘Aileen Wuornos’ trial would have been handled entirely differently if it happened today.’

A third person said, “This must be said.” Aileen Wuornos was not given a fair trial and sentence. Her crime was less severe than that of most serial killers. Gary Ridgway killed 49 victims and continues to breathe. 

‘Does anyone else think that Aileen Wuornos wasn’t that bad? How is that possible? This is one message. 

‘I’ve never felt sympathy for any serial killer at all and I’ve watched more than 20 documentaries but the Aileen Wuornos case made me tear up a li’l,’ another user claimed. “I don’t know why I should feel so sad for a serial killer, but I do not know.   

‘Aileen Wuornos’ story breaks my heart every time,’ one final viewer wrote after watching the Netflix show.