Why do women write letters to convicted killers in prison? (dangerous, life)

[glass_of_merlot]

I just saw the movie Bundy ( 2002 ). Apparently while he was on death row, he received more than 200 letters from women that claimed they loved him.

What is up with that? This is very common apparently? Are all these women writing to convicted killers mentally ill? I don't understand it.

[wit-nit]

As Kramer on Seinfeld say's "it's the "Kavorka', lure of the animal".
Answers run the gamut from losers, mentally ill, it's sexy, low self esteem, attraction to the thrill of dangerous people, to being able to have control.
Psychiatrists have pondered this question for years.

[bigtexan99]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

This is very common apparently?

There are roughly 158,000,000 women in the USA. 200 writing to Bundy is not that many as a percentage. But I don't understand it either.

[StuartGotts]

I cannot imagine a sane woman writing to Bundy.
I've read that convicts often lead them on so the women will deposit money in their accounts.

[Bernie20]

Originally Posted by glass_of_merlot

I just saw the movie Bundy ( 2002 ). Apparently while he was on death row, he received more than 200 letters from women that claimed they loved him.

What is up with that? This is very common apparently? Are all these women writing to convicted killers mentally ill? I don't understand it.

They might not be mentally ill but they definitely have issues. It is not something a normal, sane woman would do.

[Mightyqueen801]

I think Investigation Discovery channel did a few episodes on this phenomenon, but I didn't watch them.

[Cliffie]

A lot of these women are convinced he's innocent -- the one who married Ted Bundy was convinced until he confessed, right before riding the lightning. Others think they can save him from himself, bring him to Christ, bring out his good side, whatever. Still others start out writing to prisoners as a charity thing and get sucked in by a manipulative weasel who has NOTHING to do all day but write her 40-page love letters. And never underestimate the drawing power of fame. A guy gets famous, and he starts to look better to people, as if he had some sort of wisdom to impart. Even if he got famous by raping dead teenagers, like Bundy did.

And there's always the glittering lure of a reality TV show for her... "I can see my name in lights now: Esmeralda Glutz, Bride of the Monster!"

[nat_at772]

I've always wondered what they could possibly say to them. I'm your biggest fan? I have a friend that pen pals with men in prison; usually in prison for life. She tells them all kinds of personal business about her life, her dreams, what bad things happened to her that week...it's almost like he's a free therapist.

[evan83]

For three chief reasons:

1) lack of education
2) lack of intelligence
3) starving for attention. Even negative attention is better than no attention.

[virgode]

Originally Posted by evan83

For three chief reasons:

1) lack of education
2) lack of intelligence
3) starving for attention. Even negative attention is better than no attention.

Stereotypical, disagree.