Murderabilia

Murderabilia, also known as murderbilia, is a term identifying collectibles related to murders and murderers or other violent crimes. The term was coined by Andy Kahan, director^[1] of the Houston Police Department's Crime Victims Office.^[2][3]

Buyers typically seek collectibles that are either artifacts used or owned by murderers and items (often artwork) created by them. According to crime writer Leigh Lundin, buyers may be interested in the macabre, but many believe such artifacts offer power and control.^[4]

Virtually anything once owned or created by mass murderers or serial killers can be marketed, such as vehicles, artwork and weapons used in crimes. Clothing is also in high demand,^[5] particularly clothes worn during crimes themselves.

Zak Bagans is also planning on releasing a movie called Bloodlines. Executive produced by himself and My Entertainment and also scheduled to be released around the fiftieth anniversary of the Sharon Tate murders, the "documentary's" main attraction seems to be that of Charles Manson's corpse, which may prove to be the most ghoulish piece of murderabilia of Manson that Bagans will put on display courtesy of Jason Freeman. The Bagans/Freeman connection began before Manson's passing on the Travel Channel spin off of Ghost Adventures called Deadly Possessions. The episode, entitled, Bela Lugosi's Mirror and Charles Manson's TV first aired on 23 April 2016, over a year before Manson's passing.^{[6][7] [8]}

In 2007, American school shooter Wayne Lo caused controversy after it was found that he was selling his artwork on a web site.^[9]

In June 2011, the United States Government auctioned off personal items which belonged to Ted Kaczynski which were found in his Montana cabin upon his capture in 1996.^[10] The auction took place entirely online. The proceeds went to victims and victims' families of Kaczynski's crimes.^[11]

In 2016, George Zimmerman, killer of Trayvon Martin (who was ultimately acquitted of murder charges), sold the handgun that was used in the killing for $250,000.^[12]

Zak Bagans, host of the Ghost Adventures television show, owns a "Haunted Museum" in Las Vegas, Nevada where he displays artifacts relating to murderer Charles Manson, suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian and the death of Michael Jackson, among others. His Manson exhibits include what are said to be bits of bone and ash from Manson's cremation, as well as his blood-stained hospital gown, the sheet which covered his dead body, and the toe tag from his corpse.^[13] He says these items were given to him by Jason Freeman, who was adjudged Manson's next of kin by a court.^[14] The Manson items are on display in the museum's room dedicated to serial killers, along with his dentures and some of his prison artworks. Bagans commented, "Other people are just shocked beyond belief and ask, ‘How could you own that? Why would you own that?’ But these are the types of things I’m most drawn to. I’m a collector of murderabilia, and these are items and objects that were once owned by serial killers."^[15]

In 2005, a serial killer's artwork was sold online in Massachusetts. State lawmakers proposed to block the activity, setting off a debate on free speech rights of prisoners.^[16]

Andy Kahan, director of the Houston-based Mayor's Crime Victims Office, has lobbied strongly against the sale of murderabilia material. In May 2001, eBay banned the sale of murderabilia items, but sales continued on other websites.^[17] As of 2007, the sale of such items was banned in five states: Texas, California, New Jersey, Michigan and Utah.^[17] In 2010, Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota teamed up to introduce a bill in Congress that would outlaw the sale of murderabilia. The bill was called the "Stop the Sale of Murderabilia to Protect the Dignity of Crime Victims Act of 2010," and came after several individual fights over the issue.^[18] The bill died in committee.^[19]

• Son of Sam law