10 Crimes with Highly Unusual Motives

“What is the motive?” It’s a primary question asked by police and detectives throughout the world. Most crimes are motivated by common and familiar factors such as money, revenge, jealousy, rage, or desperation. However, some cases stand out because the motives are so odd they seem almost impossible to understand. In these instances, offenders committed serious crimes for reasons that ranged from bizarre to silly to insane. Some came out of obsessions, while others were personal experiments gone awry. Here are ten crimes inspired by the strangest motivations we’ve ever heard of.

Motive: Impress Jodie Foster

In 1981, John Hinckley Jr. tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. While many political killings are directly linked to ideology and social beliefs, Hinckley’s stated motive had nothing to do with the state of the country. Instead, he had developed an obsession with actress Jodie Foster after repeatedly watching her performance in the film Taxi Driver. And what better way to attract a celebrity’s attention than by shooting the president? He thought carrying out the dramatic act would gain her attention, and the two would fall head over heels for one another. The first part of the plan worked, as Foster no doubt heard about the failed assassination attempt. Unfortunately for Hinckley, it did not end in a love affair.

Motive: Prove their intelligence by committing the perfect crime

Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb committed a murder in Chicago in 1924 that shocked the nation. Unlike many killers, they were not motivated by money, anger, or revenge. The wealthy and highly educated pair wanted to prove they were intellectually superior and therefore capable of committing the perfect crime that no one would ever solve. They carefully planned the kidnapping and murder of a young boy. Their “super smart” plan unraveled quickly, and they were both caught and eventually convicted.

Motive: Eliminate the phonies, per Holden Caulfield

In 1980, Mark David Chapman murdered beloved musician John Lennon outside his New York apartment building. Chapman’s excuse? A novel. He later claimed he was heavily influenced by The Catcher in the Rye, whose protagonist criticized "phonies" for their insincerity and hypocrisy. Chapman thought Lennon was one of these phonies because he advocated for equality while living in expensive homes. Regardless of the reason, Lennon remains one of the most shocking celebrity murders in history.

Motive: Gain the approval of a make-believe villain

In 2014, two twelve-year-old girls led a friend into the woods and stabbed her multiple times. When investigators sought to find out why two young girls would engage in such a horrific act, they found a reason far stranger than they could have guessed. The girls believed in Slender Man, a fictional horror character created on the internet. They said they attacked an innocent victim to gain favor with the featureless humanoid. The victim survived despite severe injuries and the case became a disturbing example of kids blending fantasy with reality in dangerous ways.

Motive: Missing document

John Lennon wasn’t the only musician to die due to odd circumstances. Singer Marvin Gaye was fatally shot by his own father in 1984. The murder was the result of an escalated confrontation, which isn’t unusual in itself. However, the argument allegedly started over a missing insurance document. While certainly not the first time that family tensions have led to murder, the stated trigger seemed extremely minor considering the tragic outcome. The case is a heartbreaking example of how seemingly small conflicts can escalate, even among close family members.

Motive: Sandwich consumption

In 2012, a New York man was charged with killing his roommate. Any true crime fan knows this type of incident isn’t unheard of, but the reason behind the argument was the shocking part. The two roommates got into a heated debate over a sandwich. Apparently, the dispute centered on one roommate eating the other's lunch. Giving new meaning to the term “hangry”, the trivial sandwich debacle turned deadly.

Motive: Protect a friendship

In 1954, New Zealand teenagers Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme teamed up to murder Parker's mother. Why? Friendship. The girls had developed an intense connection and were afraid their parents may keep them apart. In their minds, they believed killing Parker’s mom would free them from the restrictions of adults interfering with their relationship. The killing was carefully planned despite the girls' young age. The case later inspired books and films because of its unusual circumstances.

Motive: Escape his wife

In 2011, a North Carolina man robbed a bank. The odd part was he made little effort to escape afterward. He was still on the scene when police arrived. When questioned, he admitted that prison would be preferable to living with his wife. The robbery had nothing to do with securing money; it was simply a means to get arrested. Investigators were stunned by the unusual motive.

Motive: Obey a divine being

In 2008, Canadian passenger Tim McLean was killed on a bus by another passenger. The attacker committed the slaying at the behest of a divine voice. He claimed he was receiving these sacred commands. Because investigators found no personal connection between the two men, they believed the killer was telling the truth and was seriously deluded. The random nature of the crime deeply disturbed locals.

Motive: Internet Fame

In 2014, a teenager in Virginia was convicted of killing a classmate. She claimed she took her friend's life in an effort to gain attention and fame. Later evidence backed up her motive; investigators found the girl was fascinated and obsessed with becoming famous through some sort of shocking act. Her past activity online showed a desperate desire for infamy. The murder highlighted how the urge for fame and attention can be deadly.