Ep 3. Richard 'iceman' Kuklinski

Richard 'Iceman' Kuklinski was a notorious killer and hitman who worked for various organized crime families throughout his career. Dubbed the 'Iceman' due to his habit of freezing his victims to disguise their time of death, he is considered one of the most prolific murderers in American history. In Gangsters: America's Most Evil season 5 episode 3, viewers delve into the life and crimes of Kuklinski, tracing his path from a troubled childhood to his eventual capture and conviction.

The episode begins with a glimpse into Kuklinski's childhood, which was rife with abuse and neglect. He grew up in a dysfunctional family and was physically and emotionally abused by his parents. As he grew older, he turned to crime as a means of escape, starting with small-time thefts and progressing to more violent offenses like armed robbery.

After a stint in prison, Kuklinski became involved with the Mafia and started working as a hitman. He quickly gained a reputation for being efficient and ruthless, and was soon in high demand among organized crime families. Over the course of his career, he is believed to have killed upwards of 100 people.

Despite his prolific criminal history, Kuklinski managed to evade law enforcement for decades. He was eventually caught in 1986, after an undercover officer posing as a hitman approached him with a job. Kuklinski agreed to the hit, but was arrested before he could carry it out.

The episode explores Kuklinski's psychological profile, examining what drove him to commit such violent acts. Experts weigh in on his behavior, and the show explores his motivations, including his troubled childhood, his desire for power and control, and his lack of empathy.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a glimpse into Kuklinski's psyche, as well as the events that led to his downfall. Despite his formidable reputation as a killer, he was eventually brought to justice and sentenced to life in prison. The episode concludes with a discussion of his legacy, and what his story can teach us about the nature of violence and criminal behavior.