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The Torso Killer: 5 Shocking New Details In The Richard Cottingham 'New York Ripper' Case

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The name "New York Ripper" is synonymous with one of the most brutal and terrifying eras in New York City's crime history, a period of darkness when a predator stalked the streets of Times Square and beyond. While the moniker has been used loosely for an unsolved case, the most prominent and definitively identified criminal figure associated with the title, particularly the "Times Square Ripper" and "Torso Killer," is Richard Francis Cottingham. As of late 2025, new legal developments continue to emerge, bringing long-awaited closure to families of victims from decades-old cold cases, solidifying Cottingham's grim legacy as one of America’s most prolific serial killers. The story of the man who terrorized both New York and New Jersey from the late 1960s to 1980 is one of disturbing duality: a seemingly normal computer operator by day, and a sadistic murderer by night. His recent confessions and pleas in cold cases—some nearly 60 years old—demonstrate the enduring commitment of law enforcement and the power of modern forensic technology to finally unravel the full scope of his crimes.

Richard Francis Cottingham: The Times Square Ripper Biography

Richard Francis Cottingham, known by the chilling monikers "The Torso Killer," "Times Square Ripper," and "The New York Ripper," is a convicted American serial killer whose reign of terror spanned the late 1960s and 1970s. His profile reveals a calculated predator who maintained a façade of normalcy while committing acts of extreme violence.

  • Full Name: Richard Francis Cottingham
  • Born: November 25, 1946
  • Place of Birth: New York, New York, U.S.
  • Other Monikers: Torso Killer, Times Square Ripper, The Times Square Killer, New York Ripper
  • Occupation: Former Computer Operator / Computer Programmer
  • Active Period: Approximately 1967–1980
  • Areas of Operation: New York City (Manhattan, Times Square) and New Jersey (Bergen County, Nassau County)
  • Modus Operandi: Rape, torture, mutilation, dismemberment, and abduction, often targeting young women and sex workers.
  • Total Victims: Confirmed to be at least 16, but he has confessed to dozens more.
  • Current Status: Incarcerated at South Woods State Prison, Bridgeton, New Jersey, serving multiple life sentences.

The Reign of Terror: From Computer Operator to Torso Killer

Cottingham’s crimes were particularly heinous, earning him the "Torso Killer" nickname due to his tendency to dismember and mutilate his victims, often leaving their bodies in remote locations or hotel rooms. This brutal signature is what links him to the "Ripper" title, drawing a terrifying parallel to the infamous London killer. The late 1970s in New York City were a time of high crime, but Cottingham's systematic torture and dismemberment stood out, plunging the city into a state of fear.

His victims were primarily young women, including sex workers, whom he would lure or abduct from areas like Times Square. He often utilized his position and seemingly respectable appearance to gain access to his targets. The methods he employed involved extreme sexual violence, bondage, and prolonged torture sessions, often culminating in murder and the gruesome post-mortem mutilation of their bodies.

The arrest of Cottingham in 1980 was a result of a struggle at a Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, hotel where a maid heard a woman screaming inside his room. The woman, a 28-year-old from Florida, was found bound and gagged but alive. This pivotal moment led to his initial conviction for five murders and three violent assaults, but it was just the beginning of the legal process to uncover the full extent of his depravity.

Fresh Updates: The Unending Confessions and Cold Case Closure

Unlike many serial killers whose cases go cold forever, the story of Richard Cottingham continues to evolve, even decades after his incarceration. The most significant and recent developments, which bring the "New York Ripper" case into 2025, revolve around a series of cold case confessions and guilty pleas that have provided closure to families who have waited nearly six decades for justice.

1. The 1968 Nassau County Murder Plea

In one of the most recent and significant updates, Cottingham, who is now in his late 70s, pleaded guilty to the 1968 murder of a young woman in Nassau County, New York. This plea, which occurred well into the 2020s, demonstrates the continued efforts of law enforcement, particularly the Nassau County District Attorney’s office, to use modern DNA evidence and investigative techniques to connect him to unsolved crimes. The victim was found murdered outside a shopping center, a case that had remained a painful mystery for over 50 years.

2. Admitting to Dozens of Unsolved Killings

While officially convicted of 16 murders across New York and New Jersey, Cottingham has chillingly claimed responsibility for 80 to 100 murders. Though the true number remains debated, his willingness to cooperate with investigators in recent years has led to the resolution of several cold cases. These confessions, often made in exchange for certain conditions or simply as he faces his final years, are a testament to his long, hidden career of violence.

3. The 'Torso Killer' Moniker and Mutilation

The gruesome details of his methods have been re-examined in light of the cold case resolutions. The "Torso Killer" name stems from the brutal dismemberment of victims like Maryann Carr and Nancy Vogel, whose bodies were found in New Jersey and New York, respectively. The mutilation was not just a means of disposal but a signature of his sadistic torture, a detail that continues to haunt the families and investigators involved in the case.

4. The New Jersey Cold Case Resolutions

Cottingham's activities were not confined to Manhattan. He was a terrifying presence in New Jersey as well. Recent years have seen him admit to the killings of Jacalyn Harp, Irene Blase, and Denise Falasco, among others, crimes that took place in New Jersey towns like Midland Park and Bogota. These admissions have been crucial in providing concrete answers and finality to the legal records for these long-suffering communities.

5. The Dual Identity of the Computer Operator

The topical authority of the case is enhanced by the stark contrast of Cottingham’s life. He was a married father and a computer operator, a highly technical and respectable job for the era. This dual life allowed him to operate without suspicion for years. The recent focus on his early crimes, such as the 1967 and 1968 murders, shows that his killing spree began much earlier than initially thought, long before he became the notorious "Times Square Ripper."

The Enduring Legacy of the New York Ripper Case

The case of Richard Cottingham, the "New York Ripper," serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that lurked in the shadows of 1970s New York City. The ongoing commitment to solving his cold cases provides a vital link between historical crime and modern justice. Each new confession, even decades later, ensures that the victims—from Mary Ann Della Sala to the most recently confirmed—are not forgotten, and that the full, terrifying scope of the Torso Killer's crimes is finally documented. The case remains a cornerstone of true crime history, a chilling example of a serial predator operating with impunity until a single, courageous act finally brought his reign of terror to an end.

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