Mister Cruel (commonly abbreviated to “Mr Cruel”) was the alias given to an unidentified assailant, who raped three children, and was suspected of murdering another, in Melbourne, Australia, between 1987 and 1991. He was never positively identified, and had an unusual method of coercion while interacting with his victims.
Apparently, Mr Cruel was a very diligent, intelligent, calculate and meticulous individual. He was calm, clever and never left any traces of his attacks whatsoever, which turned subsequent police investigations a very difficult task. He conducted his crimes in order to abduct children for sexual assault, and after hours of molestation, he would release his victim in a random place. He usually assaulted a home in the dead of night, and then proceed to act vary calmly, without any hurry, and threatened his victims with a knife or a pistol if he was disobeyed. Evidence suggests that Mr Cruel would select the places upon which he selected his attacks for weeks in advance, meticulously planning and watching the home places of his prospective victims, with an M.O. probably similar to the viciously brutal and aggressive Original Night Stalker – who terrorized California from 1979 to 1986 – which can be concluded from his positive sense of security, revealed by his method of interaction with his victims, while displaying a vigorous sense of safety and complete control, since he felt no need to act in a hurry.
In 13 April 1991, a thirteen year old girl named Karmein Chan was abducted from her home. She was found dead approximately a year later. Although Mr Cruel was considered the primary responsible for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of this girl, several police investigators expressed doubt whether Mr Cruel could be considered a suspect in the case, as there were differences in what concerns the general M.O. provided by the few evidences left at the scene, and given the fact that Mr Cruel normally would not kill his victims, just use them for sexual gratification, to free them after he had finished. Mr Cruel had very peculiar mannerisms concerning his abductees; he even bathed them after the attacks, as a possible means to wash away any trace of physical evidence he may have left. Police has never positively confirmed nor denied that Karmein Chan was a victim of Mr Cruel, given the fact that she was murdered, and this was unusual, considering his methods, although the possibility cannot be ruled out.
The Australian investigative team responsible for his capture has ignited the case in recent years, that may have grown cold to the public, but in fact it was never forgotten or neglected by the police. Developing a psychological profile of the perpetrator, and composing a sketch made after a description made by two of his victims, the police have interviewed suspects in excess of thousands, as well as searched literally thousands of homes, especially in places near the local airport, since one of his victims had said she could hear the sound of airplanes while in captivity.
A little more than one year ago, the Australian police undisclosed to a notorious newspaper a secret document made two decades ago containing information regarding the investigation on Mr Cruel never released to the public before. On it, it was revealed that the FBI had joined the investigation, and that they had information of seven suspects, and a principal one. Although the investigations recently experienced a solid advance, there are still serious doubts whether Mr Cruel would ever be caught, or positively identified. Currently, there is a reward in excess of $ 1,200,000 to information leading to his arrest.
Wagner
Apparently, Mr Cruel was a very diligent, intelligent, calculate and meticulous individual. He was calm, clever and never left any traces of his attacks whatsoever, which turned subsequent police investigations a very difficult task. He conducted his crimes in order to abduct children for sexual assault, and after hours of molestation, he would release his victim in a random place. He usually assaulted a home in the dead of night, and then proceed to act vary calmly, without any hurry, and threatened his victims with a knife or a pistol if he was disobeyed. Evidence suggests that Mr Cruel would select the places upon which he selected his attacks for weeks in advance, meticulously planning and watching the home places of his prospective victims, with an M.O. probably similar to the viciously brutal and aggressive Original Night Stalker – who terrorized California from 1979 to 1986 – which can be concluded from his positive sense of security, revealed by his method of interaction with his victims, while displaying a vigorous sense of safety and complete control, since he felt no need to act in a hurry.
In 13 April 1991, a thirteen year old girl named Karmein Chan was abducted from her home. She was found dead approximately a year later. Although Mr Cruel was considered the primary responsible for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of this girl, several police investigators expressed doubt whether Mr Cruel could be considered a suspect in the case, as there were differences in what concerns the general M.O. provided by the few evidences left at the scene, and given the fact that Mr Cruel normally would not kill his victims, just use them for sexual gratification, to free them after he had finished. Mr Cruel had very peculiar mannerisms concerning his abductees; he even bathed them after the attacks, as a possible means to wash away any trace of physical evidence he may have left. Police has never positively confirmed nor denied that Karmein Chan was a victim of Mr Cruel, given the fact that she was murdered, and this was unusual, considering his methods, although the possibility cannot be ruled out.
The Australian investigative team responsible for his capture has ignited the case in recent years, that may have grown cold to the public, but in fact it was never forgotten or neglected by the police. Developing a psychological profile of the perpetrator, and composing a sketch made after a description made by two of his victims, the police have interviewed suspects in excess of thousands, as well as searched literally thousands of homes, especially in places near the local airport, since one of his victims had said she could hear the sound of airplanes while in captivity.
A little more than one year ago, the Australian police undisclosed to a notorious newspaper a secret document made two decades ago containing information regarding the investigation on Mr Cruel never released to the public before. On it, it was revealed that the FBI had joined the investigation, and that they had information of seven suspects, and a principal one. Although the investigations recently experienced a solid advance, there are still serious doubts whether Mr Cruel would ever be caught, or positively identified. Currently, there is a reward in excess of $ 1,200,000 to information leading to his arrest.
Wagner
