The Matched Murder Scenes

Dr. Death

This flow traces the recurring staging that reveals Burke's desire to make each killing a signature performance.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Body Presented A Body Presented from "Dr. Death". The Van as Stage A Deliberate Display Mate's body is left where hikers can find it, with a note attached to his chest.

A Body Presented from "Dr. Death". The Van as Stage A Deliberate Display Mate's body is left where hikers can find it, with a note attached to his chest.

The Van as Stage A Deliberate Display Mate's body is left where hikers can find it, with a note attached to his chest. The Audience Chosen The murderer appears to want police, press, and the public to witness his claim.

A Return to the Apartment A Return to the Apartment from "Dr. Death". A Small Prop A Broken Toy Someone leaves a fake book and broken stethoscope in Mate's apartment after the murder.

A Return to the Apartment from "Dr. Death". A Small Prop A Broken Toy Someone leaves a fake book and broken stethoscope in Mate's apartment after the murder.

A Small Prop A Broken Toy Someone leaves a fake book and broken stethoscope in Mate's apartment after the murder. A Successor's Taunt The object makes a private room part of the public performance.

A Painting Sent Out A Painting Sent Out from "Dr. Death". The Murder Repainted A Reworked Masterpiece A painting shows Mate as dissector and dissected, repeating the murder's imagery.

A Painting Sent Out from "Dr. Death". The Murder Repainted A Reworked Masterpiece A painting shows Mate as dissector and dissected, repeating the murder's imagery.

The Murder Repainted A Reworked Masterpiece A painting shows Mate as dissector and dissected, repeating the murder's imagery. Recognition Desired Whether a clue or a publicity stunt, the painting turns violence into a visible artistic statement.

Two Bodies at a Tree Two Bodies at a Tree from "Dr. Death". An Intimate Tableau The Next Scene Alice Zoghbie and Roy Haiselden are found bound to a tree and arranged together.

Two Bodies at a Tree from "Dr. Death". An Intimate Tableau The Next Scene Alice Zoghbie and Roy Haiselden are found bound to a tree and arranged together.

An Intimate Tableau The Next Scene Alice Zoghbie and Roy Haiselden are found bound to a tree and arranged together. The Killer's Signature The composition recalls earlier murders and links the killings to an offender who stages bodies for effect.

A Career Claimed A Career Claimed from "Dr. Death". The Doctor's Role Taken Tools and Drugs Ulrich possesses Mate's medical supplies and prepared equipment.

A Career Claimed from "Dr. Death". The Doctor's Role Taken Tools and Drugs Ulrich possesses Mate's medical supplies and prepared equipment.

The Doctor's Role Taken Tools and Drugs Ulrich possesses Mate's medical supplies and prepared equipment. Performance Becomes Identity His disguise and staging show a killer seeking not merely to kill but to inherit the public role of Dr. Death.

Early September

Mid-September

Late September

During the Malibu confrontation