" Morrough also said of Dowdy, "He knew we were dealing with a serial murderer.

CNN: Bond denied for man accused of making false report in sniper probe

Then he came across a novel inspired by a serial murderer who kept the corpse of his dead mother in her bedroom.

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The Moors murderer Ian Brady, another of Britain's most notorious serial killers, craves death.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Shipman taking control of his own death

Detectives believed the messages - which boasted about how police had failed to capture the serial killer - were genuine and diverted attention to Wearside, away from the real murderer, Bradford's Peter Sutcliffe.

BBC: NEWS | UK | England | Hunt ended for 'Ripper' hoaxer