Aileen “Lee” Wuornos, aged 34, found herself in jail after being arrested on suspicion of a series of killings near the motorway. During a phone conversation with her 28-year-old girlfriend, Tyria Moore, Wuornos reassured Moore, who was fearful of police pursuit. Wuornos vowed to protect Moore, expressing her love and willingness to confess to prevent Moore from facing consequences.
This act of devotion ultimately led to Wuornos’ conviction for six murders, culminating in her execution by the state of Florida in 2002. Dubbed “America’s first female serial killer” by the media, Wuornos’ story has captivated audiences through true-crime television programs and the 2003 film “Monster.” Now, a new Netflix documentary named “Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers” sheds fresh light on Wuornos’ psyche and troubled past.
The documentary features never-before-seen footage of Wuornos from a death row interview, where she delves into the truth behind her crimes. Director Emily Turner describes a complex portrayal of Wuornos, showcasing her as contradictory, deeply human, and occasionally unsettling.
Born into a tumultuous childhood, Wuornos was abandoned by her parents at four years old and raised by her grandparents in Michigan. She faced further trauma, including sexual abuse from her grandfather and assaults by teenage acquaintances, as revealed in the Netflix production.
By age 16, Wuornos had embarked on a transient lifestyle, engaging in sex work to survive. Her life took a turn when she met Moore, a motel maid, in 1986. The pair’s intense relationship blossomed, with Wuornos expressing her deep affection and the lengths she would go to for Moore’s safety.
However, their bond unraveled when authorities uncovered a string of murders and robberies of men along Florida highways. Wuornos was arrested in 1991 after her fingerprint was linked to a pawnshop item belonging to a victim. Pressured by Moore, Wuornos eventually confessed to the crimes, leading to her trial and subsequent conviction for multiple murders.
Despite proclaiming self-defense in the killing of her first victim, Richard Mallory, Wuornos was found guilty and later pleaded no contest or guilty to the other murders, receiving a death sentence. The Netflix documentary includes insights from Wuornos’ childhood friend, Dawn Botkins, reflecting on Wuornos’ troubled past and fatal relationship with Moore.
As Wuornos’ story continues to intrigue audiences, “Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers” offers a closer look at the complexities of her life and crimes, shedding new light on a notorious figure in criminal history.