10 Careless Mistakes That Got Serial Killers Caught
5. Dennis Nilsen Blocked His Drains With Human Remains
Some serial killers go to great lengths to dispose of their victims. Others, like Dennis Nilsen, simply try to flush them down the drain.
One of the worst serial killers in Britain, Nilsen died in prison in 2019. Between 1978 and 1983, he confessed to killing up to 16 young men. After luring his victims home from the pub, he would suffocate them and cut up their bodies.
At first, Nilsen tried to store the dismembered remains in plastic bags. Naturally, the smell became unbearable, so instead of taking the remains to a dumpsite — or even throwing them away in the trash — Nilsen tried to get rid of the evidence without ever leaving home.
As more and more pieces of his victims were discarded down his toilet and sink drains, the plumbing system became clogged. A plumber was called to alleviate the clog, only to find bits of flesh and bone in the drains. Police arrested Nilsen soon after.