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Murderabilia Sells on eBay

© Jenna Doscher

eBay is not only the internet's largest auction site, but it also is known for it's kitsch value. Oh, you can find your favorite Spiderman comic book, Alf collectibles or a favorite book from your childhood, but those are not the only things one can find on the site.

Nicole Brown Simpson's autopsy report, Ted Bundy's last will and testament, even a lump of dirt from John Wayne Gacy's crawl space, where he hid the bodies of his victims, have all been for sale on eBay. The growing trend of "murderabilia" sales has existed for years on the internet, but only recently has the trend been profiled in the spotlight. Lawmakers and victims are now seeking restrictions on the anything-goes practice of selling crime online.

eBay has taken a laissez-faire attitude towards the murderabilia sales, saying there's nothing illegal in the transactions between collectors and sellers and that it's not eBay's prerogative to censor what's appropriate for the auction block.

In May eBay made the headlines when it blocked a Texas inmate from selling seats to his own execution. Meanwhile, today's 200-plus-item inventory is up from the 30-odd pieces a year ago.

On September 6, an eBay seller with the name "Kate Loves Crime" posted an item described as "Serial Killer JERRY BRUDOS...three page handwritten letter, general and personal content." Someone in New Jersey bid the minimum, $9.99, and won the item five days later. In July, a high bidder paid $12.27 for a lock of Charles Manson's hair. Today you can find Son of Sam's actual arrest photo or a handwritten letter by serial killer Donald Harvey among many other bizarre items.

In 1991, the US Supreme Court struck down New York's "Son of Sam" law, named for serial killer, David Berkowitz. The Court ruled that the ban on inmates profiting from their crimes violates free-speech rights. In 40 states similar laws exist.

Meanwhile, a Texas victims-rights advocate is working toward banning the murderabilia sales (at least the ones involving Texas killers). Andy Kahan, a Houston mayoral aide, has been tracking the auctions, even purchasing items himself in the hopes of appalling legislators.

Kahan has even mailed letters to several famous murders, asking whether they're aware of the online sales of their letters, hair, nails, art work, etc. He wants to know if they are getting paid and if they are offended enough to help in the fight of getting these items off of eBay.