Herbert "Herb" Mullin was born into a typical American family. He grew up well socially in California. He was voted "Most likely to succeed." Then, after high school, his best friend died, and he delved into drugs and religious rhetoric. He broke mentally, and his schizophrenia reared its head. He was smart enough to mask, even in mental institutions, which he found himself in twice. But the thought that he was meant for more, came to a head when the voices started. The voices told him to be the savior, but demanded sacrifice. He dutifully completed those sacrifices, only stopping when he was caught. He was 26 when his spree both started and ended. Spending the rest of his life, behind bars.

Sources:

Green, Ryan. 2024. I Hear Voices. A descent into the dark half of psychotic killer, Herbert Miller

https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2022/08/19/herbert-mullin-dies-of-natural-causes/

https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/herbert-mullin-serial-killer-sacrifice

https://maamodt.asp.radford.edu/Psyc%20405/serial%20killers/Mullin,%20Herbert.htm

Jane started out in this world as Honora Kelley. She lived in poverty until her mother died. Her father had a psychotic break and subsequently signed her over to the state. From there she was sent to a poorhouse, then was adopted as an indentured servant. She did well in the family home and was loved by the family, taking their name of Toppan, hiding her Irish heritage by changing her first name to Jane. In her 20's she set out on her own in the world training as a nurse. From the start she did well, learning at an incredible rate. But with power, she learned she could control people's fates and immediately began killing. After being dismissed from two hospitals, she shifted to private nurses. She did well until she killed two generations in the same house in two months. Suspicions were confirmed with autopsies and Janes spree was over.

Sources:

https://www.lowellhistoricalsociety.org/lowells-ties-to-jolly-jane-massachusetts-female-serial-killer/

https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/immigrant-neighborhood/jolly-jane-toppan-the-mgh-nurse-turned-mass-murderer/

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/465836

https://www.alcatrazeast.com/crime-library/serial-killers/jane-toppan/