Need a nickname for a serial killer

Southern_girl29 · May 30, 2007

One of my beta readers said that the serial killer needed a nickname. He rightfully pointed out that when a serial killer is on the loose, the media usually gives him a nickname. I've been racking my brain to come up with something, but everything I've managed to come up with sounds really cheesy.

About three-fourths of the way through the book, the MC has a psychic visions and finds out his real name. But, I still think a nickname is needed. He slashes the throats of his victims, leaves them naked and poses them in various positions.

Also, the serial killer's real name is Marcus Allen. I'm not a football fan, and I didn't know Marcus Allen was a famous football player. He said I should either change it or have one of the characters make a comment like, "Marcus Allen? You mean like the famous football player?" or something like that. Do you think it needs to be changed completely or will a comment from one of the characters work? Thanks so much.

ccarver30 · May 30, 2007

The Slicing Slasher!!!
Hmm, as soon as I read Marcus Allen, I thought of the football guy (I am a fan)... if it were me, I would change it.

Claudia Gray · May 30, 2007

Actually, in recent years, the media has moved away from the nicknames because profilers, etc., said that this kind of mythologizing tended to egg the killers on. A good friend of mine is a reporter in the DC area, and while those snipers were on the loose, law enforcement was explicitly discouraged from coming up with any names for him. So I don't think you need that.

I am not a huge football fan at all, but I did recognize the name Marcus Allen. Maybe a change is in order.

MidnightMuse · May 30, 2007

My sister dated a man named Ted Bundy - poor guy. Unfortunate that we live where we do, too. Last I heard, he was still single !

I'd suggest you change the name, if that one is so easily recognized.

scarletpeaches · May 30, 2007

Jack the Ripper, the Yorkshire Ripper, all the good 'uns have got nicknames.

Usually it's connected to what he does to the victims, although recently in Ipswich the guy who was killing prostitutes was called the Ipswich Ripper even though he strangled them. Personally I prefer the Suffolk 'Ater.

RLSMiller · May 30, 2007

Southern_girl29 said:
One of my beta readers said that the serial killer needed a nickname. He rightfully pointed out that when a serial killer is on the loose, the media usually gives him a nickname. I've been racking my brain to come up with something, but everything I've managed to come up with sounds really cheesy.

About three-fourths of the way through the book, the MC has a psychic visions and finds out his real name. But, I still think a nickname is needed. He slashes the throats of his victims, leaves them naked and poses them in various positions.

Also, the serial killer's real name is Marcus Allen. I'm not a football fan, and I didn't know Marcus Allen was a famous football player. He said I should either change it or have one of the characters make a comment like, "Marcus Allen? You mean like the famous football player?" or something like that. Do you think it needs to be changed completely or will a comment from one of the characters work? Thanks so much.

Sir Slash-a-lot.
or...
Statued Slasher
or...
The Bared Butcher

But seriously, I know some of the time serial killers are referred to by the area of their first/most famous killing. like the Maryland Mobster or something. Or the way they kill, like one on Nip/Tuck is called the Carver (and he like, cuts people from cheek to cheek).

Southern_girl29 · May 30, 2007

ClaudiaGray said:
Actually, in recent years, the media has moved away from the nicknames because profilers, etc., said that this kind of mythologizing tended to egg the killers on. A good friend of mine is a reporter in the DC area, and while those snipers were on the loose, law enforcement was explicitly discouraged from coming up with any names for him. So I don't think you need that.

I am not a huge football fan at all, but I did recognize the name Marcus Allen. Maybe a change is in order.

So, what about if the people who are working on the case (the MC, who is a teenager, two other teens, and the MC's father) give him a nickname? Or do you think no nickname is needed at all?

PeeDee · May 30, 2007

If he were a cannibal, you could call him him "Mr. Butterfingers"

scarletpeaches · May 30, 2007

Of course they'd give him a nickname. Black humour in these situations always arises.

For instance in the Yorkshire Ripper incident room, they phoned up the local radio station and requested the song, "If I Had A Hammer..."

Gillhoughly · May 30, 2007

Name and occupation in one, "The Shropshire Slasher."

onetiredmama · May 30, 2007

Does he leave his victims in a specific area (the woods, train tracks etc?) Does he only attack women in apartments, or women of a certain age? You could incorporate a detail like that. Would police withhold from the press the fact that he poses the women? Maybe that aspect wouldn't be part of a nickname. If you do have police releasing that detail, perhaps you could call him the Mannequinn Killer since he poses them?

Or how about "The (some location) slasher." Sometimes a newspaper might pick up on something a witness or police officer said in an interview, that becomes a headline, and the headline spawns the nickname.

Here's a link I found of serial killer nicknames. Good luck! Lisa

http://www.crimezzz.net/serial_killer_statistics/nicknames_name.htm

Soccer Mom · May 30, 2007

Gillhoughly's post almost always need a beverage alert!

Pick a detail and create a name around it. The names aren't always imaginative, but law enforcement almost always had one. It's just easier to say "The bathtub killer" rather than "that guy who was going around strangling women in their bathtubs last year".

Will Lavender · May 30, 2007

Definitely have to change that name. Marcus Allen was a very good friend of OJ Simpson's.

Every time I hear Allen's name I immediately connect him with Simpson; I'd assume some of your readers will, too. And in the context of your book, that connection ain't a good thing.

Tornadoboy · May 30, 2007

You could also have the kiler himself come up with his own nickname or perhaps suggest one to the police/media by a particular calling card he likes to leave at scenes, and it could also have something to do with why he likes to kill and how he justifies it to himself.

For example perhaps his father used to take sadistic pleasure in slaughtering animals on his farm in the same manner and once forced your killer to kill a beloved pet in the same way as punishment, so when he becomes a murderer he names himself something ironic to those circumstances.

Jack Nog · May 30, 2007

In the case of the Name change...just reverse it..

Allen Marcus.

Nickname: Gah! Always tough...
McSlicey? I really can't be serious.
Naked Slasher? I dunno, I think I need more info.

C.bronco · May 30, 2007

I'd change the MC's name slightly. Marco Allen, Marcus Arvin etc.
How about the bologna killer? The Mail Man?

I liked McSlicey, that was a good one.

Tornadoboy · May 30, 2007

Jack Nog said:
In the case of the Name change...just reverse it..

Allen Marcus.

Why not just name him OJ Simpson? That would carry a certain credibility!

Although he might take a STAB at suing you.

Will Lavender · May 30, 2007

ClaudiaGray said:
Actually, in recent years, the media has moved away from the nicknames because profilers, etc., said that this kind of mythologizing tended to egg the killers on. A good friend of mine is a reporter in the DC area, and while those snipers were on the loose, law enforcement was explicitly discouraged from coming up with any names for him. So I don't think you need that.

I am not a huge football fan at all, but I did recognize the name Marcus Allen. Maybe a change is in order.

Interesting advice.

McSlicey is pretty brilliant, though.

Jack Nog · May 30, 2007

I liked McSlicey, that was a good one.

McSlicey is pretty brilliant, though.

LOL Thanks! I live to give!

Southern_girl29 · May 30, 2007

I think McSlicey would probably be something the kids would come up with. If I let the media not name him and then let the kids come up with something, it would be perfect. I'm going to have to think it over, but thanks, because it's really good.

Sassee · May 30, 2007

The <city name> Slasher is a pretty good one. Familiar for the reader because of past killers with similar names, it's easy to remember, and it's very catchy.

It would be fun to come up with a name based on what he does to his victims (poses them after slashing their throats), but I can't come up with anything witty at the moment. Sorry

Simple fix to the real name - take Jack Nog's suggestion. Reverse the first and last names.

newmod · May 30, 2007

What about something like the Slash, Strip and Set Killer? Or SSS? Set because he sets victims into poses. I was thinking particularly of the BTK killer as an example of this type of naming.

Okay, it ain´t gonna win no awards, but might give a bit of inspiration.

C.bronco · May 30, 2007

Vlad the Impaler

NeuroFizz · May 30, 2007

If his name remains Marcus Allen, call him the Silver and Black Slasher, or the Raider. The story doesn't take place in Oakland, does it?

Southern_girl29 · May 30, 2007

NeuroFizz said:
If his name remains Marcus Allen, call him the Silver and Black Slasher, or the Raider. The story doesn't take place in Oakland, does it?

Nope, Tennessee. I think I am going to change it, though. I don't know of the risks of being sued if it's ever published, but I don't think I want to take that chance.

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