True crime The Beast of Jersey Was The Most Horrifying Serial Rapist And Murderer Ever
In the 1960s, the island of Jersey located in the English Channel was a terrifying place for women and children. A real-life boogeyman was hunting them, prowling neighborhood streets, waiting for them to be alone and vulnerable. This mystery monster was attacking people in brutal and violent ways. Dubbed "The Beast of Jersey," his brutal crimes haunted an entire community.
It wasn’t until July 1971 that anyone would find out who was committing these atrocities. Even after Edward Paisnel was unmasked and arrested, the extend of his crimes would remain unknown until after his death. The shocking details of this notorious sex offender's crimes have been compared to some of the most terrifying serial killers in history.
He Wore a Disfigured Mask and Costume During His Assaults
Paisnel became referred to as “The Beast of Jersey” because he hid behind a ghastly rubber mask so none of his victims could identify him. He also wore a woman’s wig, a nail-studded coat, and matching wristbands. He slipped on his demented boogeyman attire and prowled the streets as his alter ego, the beast.
He Preyed on Women and Children
For 11 years Edward Paisnel got away with breaking into homes and brutally raping, beating, and sodomizing women and children on the island of Jersey in the English Channel. He would only attack his victims when he knew they were home alone. He’d creep into the house, snatch his victims from their beds, tether a noose around their necks, and subject them to his twisted sexual fantasies.
He Prowled Multiple Children’s Homes at Night and Impregnated One of His Victims
More than 24 victims came forward about the sexual abuse they endured at the hands of Edward Paisnel while living in children’s homes. One of those victims was even impregnated by Paisnel.
There were many reports of "someone" moving around in the crawl spaces at night in the La Preference children's home during the 1960s. There were even reports of the children waking up to find someone staring at them from behind a crude rubber mask.
It wasn’t until the 2008 murder investigation of Haut de la Garenne, that a victim recalled Paisnel climbed through the windows at night wearing his mask and gloves to sexually assault the children. One witness confirmed he used chloroform on sleeping children and removed them from their beds to perform his sadistic acts on them elsewhere.
Paisnel Idolized Gilles de Rais, The Inspiration Behind Bluebeard
In addition to all his Satanic objects, Paisnel had unhealthy obsession with Gilles de Rais. Paisnel apparently modeled himself after de Rais, a 15th Century French occultist and lunatic who would lure children into his castle and murder then as sacrifices to Satan. It’s believed this madman is inspired Bluebeard, a dark character of French folklore. Bluebeard was known for murdering all of his many wives and keeping their corpses hanging from hooks in a locked room in his home.