“He said he killed a hundred. And I believe him.”
— Retired Detective Robert Anzilotti
In a wheelchair, hunched and barely recognizable, Richard Cottingham looks like someone’s elderly grandfather. But make no mistake—beneath that weathered face and weak frame lies the same sadistic force that dismembered, decapitated, and mutilated women across New Jersey and New York for over a decade.
Known as the Torso Killer or the Times Square Ripper, Cottingham’s reign of terror between 1967 and 1980 left a body count that continues to rise—even as he inches closer to death behind prison walls. In recent years, he’s confessed to more murders—chilling secrets kept for over 50 years. With investigators racing against time, his final days may finally bring long-awaited justice to families who’ve waited a lifetime for answers.
A Double Life of Monstrosity and Normalcy
Born in 1946 in the Bronx and raised in New Jersey, Richard Cottingham seemed like any other suburban guy. He was a married father of three, a well-dressed computer operator at Blue Cross Blue Shield, and an unassuming commuter in a gray suit.
But by night, Cottingham was luring sex workers into seedy motel rooms, where he tortured, raped, and murdered them in increasingly gruesome ways. His crimes escalated to dismemberment and arson, earning him the nickname “Torso Killer” after two headless, handless bodies were found burning in a Times Square motel room in 1979.
The Victims We Know—And Those We Don’t
Among his confirmed victims:
- Nancy Schiava Vogel, a 29-year-old mother found strangled in her car in 1967.
- Maryann Carr and Valerie Street, whose remains were mutilated beyond recognition.
- Two women found decapitated and burned, with their hands removed, left unrecognizable by flames.
Cottingham has confessed to at least 18 murders, but detectives believe he may be responsible for over 100.
The Arrest That Ended the Carnage
Cottingham’s downfall came in May 1980, when a sex worker’s screams alerted hotel staff in New Jersey. Police arrived to find her barely alive—and Cottingham caught in the act. His arrest ended 13 years of terror, but only a fraction of his crimes were known at the time.
He was eventually convicted of multiple murders and sentenced to life in prison. But Cottingham refused to talk—until decades later, when a strange friendship with a determined detective opened the floodgates.
The Detective Who Got the Killer to Talk
Detective Robert Anzilotti of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office wasn’t just chasing a ghost—he was chasing closure. Over 20 years, he formed a twisted yet effective rapport with Cottingham.
“It was like watching a father and son… in a completely warped way,” said journalist Steve Janoski.
Their relationship became so deep that Cottingham, in 2021, gifted Anzilotti a final confession upon his retirement: the 1974 double murder of teenagers Lorraine Kelly and Mary Ann Pryor, two girls who vanished while shopping for swimsuits.
Torso Killer Richard Cottingham’s Life Today
Now in his late 70s, Cottingham is confined to a wheelchair at New Jersey State Prison. He suffers from multiple ailments, including heart issues, diabetes, and limited mobility. But though his body is deteriorating, his mind remains sharp and manipulative—and he’s finally talking.
In December 2022, he confessed to five more murders, including the 1968 killing of Diane Cusick, a 23-year-old dance teacher whose case had gone cold for more than 50 years. Through forensic genealogy and DNA recovered from preserved evidence, authorities linked Cottingham to her murder—a groundbreaking moment in true crime history.
A Final Bargain With the Devil
In exchange for his 2022 confessions, Cottingham was given immunity from further prosecution in four of the five cases—ensuring that he’ll die behind bars, but never face a trial for those victims.
This move drew criticism, but authorities defended the deal, arguing that:
- The victims’ families received long-awaited answers.
- Cottingham would never be released.
- The truth matters, even without punishment.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Richard Cottingham called the Torso Killer?
He earned the nickname after two women were found decapitated and dismembered in a Times Square motel in 1979. Their torsos were set on fire, making identification impossible.
How many people did Cottingham kill?
He was convicted of 11 murders but claims to have killed up to 100 women. Recent confessions and DNA evidence suggest he may be telling the truth.
Is Richard Cottingham still alive today?
Yes. He is currently incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison, wheelchair-bound and in declining health.
Why did he start confessing decades later?
Cottingham formed a strange relationship with Detective Anzilotti, who gained his trust over two decades, eventually securing multiple confessions.
Will Cottingham ever be released?
No. He is serving multiple life sentences and is guaranteed to die in prison.
Was DNA important in solving his crimes?
Absolutely. New forensic technologies, especially genetic genealogy, were crucial in linking Cottingham to cold cases like Diane Cusick’s murder.