In 1978, on a four day murder spree, Richard Chase shot and slashed six people between January and . He broke into the victims homes, slaughtered the victims, who included a pregnant woman and a two year old child.

When Richard Chase was arrested for the horrible crimes committed, people who knew him should not have been surprised. He was known to drink the blood of animals, including cats and dogs, and even ate live birds.

Once arrested, he confessed to the killings and confessed to drinking the blood of his victims, and to carrying pieces of the victims with him to gnaw on when he so desired. Chase was sentenced to life in prison for the murders. On December 26, 1980, a prison guard found Chase dead in his cell. Coroners determined Chase had committed suicide by overdosing on his medication, possibly taking three weeks worth of medication at once, killing himself.