Decades-Long Failure: How the ‘Torso Killer’ Evaded Justice for Years Despite Clear Threat to America’s Communities

For over half a century, Richard Cottingham operated in plain sight as one of the New York City area’s most brutal serial killers, yet he managed to slip through the cracks of law enforcement for years. Known infamously as the “Torso Killer” for his gruesome method of dismembering victims, Cottingham’s recent confession to a 1965 murder highlights a troubling pattern of investigative failure that undermines public safety and national security. How Could a Monster Remain Free for So Long? In today’s America First climate, ensuring our communities are safe from violent predators is non-negotiable. Yet this case forces us to...