10 Acts Of Murder Blamed On Music

Music, especially rock and roll, has long taken the blame for various crimes throughout history. A lot of people, especially the authorities, believe certain genres can encourage violence amongst young adults and teenagers. They believe these people become possessed or they are listening to satanic-driven songs by artists who worship the Devil. Of course, that is completely wrong in most cases. Some murders have even been blamed on music in the past. Here are ten acts of murder blamed on music.

Metallica

In 2002, 29-year-old Ronald Pituch went off his rocker and killed his mother by bludgeoning her to death using nothing but a barbell. He then sped off on his motorcycle. He claimed the devil was within him after listening to “Ronnie” by Metallica.

Tupac

Tupac has long been known as one of the greatest rappers, but his music has affected people in negative ways, too. In 1994, a Milwaukee police officer was gunned down by two 17-year-olds, both of whom claimed they had listened to Tupac and taken inspiration.

Beatles Albums

Charles Manson, one of the most infamous serial killers of all time, is said to have taken some inspiration from the White Album by The Beatles. He felt they were communicating directly to him through their lyrics.

Chief Keef

In 2013, James Edwards and two other classmates senselessly killed Christopher Lane, a student athlete. They claimed to have been listening to song lyrics by Chief Keef, a notorious rapper out of Chicago.

Slipknot

In 2008, a single masked attacker walked into the Nic Diederichs Technical School in Krugersdorp, South Africa. He was wielding a samurai sword at the time, and stabbed 16-year-old Jacques Pretorius to death. The boy claimed he was interested in demonology and the lyrics of Slipknot, which helped him commit the crime.

Marilyn Manson

Following the Columbine High massacre, the boys who committed the crime had been linked to the music of Marylin Manson, who had long been a scapegoat for such acts. While performing in Denver, Manson was assaulted by angry parents who blamed him directly for the school shooting. He canceled five shows because of it.

Eminem

Back in 2009, Michael Miller killed his wife and daughter with a knife, though his four-year-old son survived with 11 stab wounds. He claimed to have stabbed his son more because he loved him more. Apparently, Miller claimed he had been listening to the lyrics of an Eminem song, which drove him to commit the crime.

AC/DC

In the summer of 1985, a serial killer was on the loose and stalking new victims. Richard Ramirez would gain entry into a home via sliding glass doors, and then rape and murder people. Ramirez was a satanist, but one who claimed an AC/DC song helped him commit the crimes.

Bloodshot

In 2009, a family in Farmville, Virginia, were brutally murdered by their young daughter’s boyfriend, Richard McCroskey. He was arrested, and rumors began spreading that horrorcore music made him kill. Horrorcore is a type of rap that contains blood and violent lyrics.

Drowning Pool

Drowning Pool’s most famous song, Bodies, has been overplayed for far too long. In 2011, US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was critically wounded during a shooting spree that also claimed the lives of six others. Jared Loughner, the shooter, was apprehended, and it was revealed he was obsessed with Bodies.