At first, it seems ridiculous — serial killers "retiring." After all, murdering isn't a career. And don’t serial killers have an innate urge to kill, a need that is overwhelming, complete and doesn’t falter throughout their lives?
The truth is that the urge to kill can come and go in a serial killer’s life due to many factors. A number of murderers have taken long breaks from killing or even have stopped altogether.
The Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo, for instance, appears to have stopped cold in 1986 after committing at least 13 murders, 51 rapes and 120 burglaries between 1974-1986. He wasn't arrested until 30 years later and does not appear to have killed anyone during that timeframe.
