Home Online Celebrity Buzz 1

The "Best Guy Around" Murderers: 5 Shocking True Crime Cases That Prove The Facade Of Normalcy

• minute read
Contents

The phrase "He was the best guy around. What murder?" is a chilling rhetorical question that has become a staple of true crime commentary and internet culture, particularly in the realm of mob lore and serial killer documentaries. As of December 2025, this dark joke perfectly encapsulates the cognitive dissonance experienced by friends, family, and neighbors when a seemingly upstanding member of the community is revealed to be a monster.

The true crime world is littered with cases where the perpetrator was a pillar of the community, a loving father, or a generous neighbor—a masterful facade that allowed them to commit heinous acts in plain sight. This article dives deep into the most notorious examples, exploring the psychological mechanisms behind the "best guy around" trope and the devastating impact of their double lives.

The Quintessential Example: John Gotti, The Dapper Don

The origin of the "He was the best guy around. What murder?" sentiment is often traced back to the public perception of organized crime figures, none more so than John Gotti. His image as the impeccably dressed, charismatic "Dapper Don" of the Gambino crime family starkly contrasted with his brutal reality as a ruthless mob boss convicted of multiple murders.

John Gotti: A Brief Biography and Criminal Profile

  • Full Name: John Joseph Gotti Jr.
  • Born: October 27, 1940, in The Bronx, New York City.
  • Died: June 10, 2002 (Age 61) from throat cancer, while incarcerated at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri.
  • Criminal Affiliation: Boss of the Gambino Crime Family (1985–1992).
  • Nickname: "The Dapper Don" (due to his expensive suits and media attention) and "Teflon Don" (due to his early acquittals).
  • Key Convictions (1992): Five murders (including the assassination of Gambino boss Paul Castellano and underboss Thomas Bilotti), conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, illegal gambling, loan sharking, obstruction of justice, and tax evasion.
  • Sentence: Life in federal prison without the possibility of parole.

Gotti’s public persona was meticulously crafted. He threw massive, extravagant block parties every Fourth of July in his Queens neighborhood, earning him genuine affection from some locals who benefited from his "generosity." This community goodwill was a powerful shield, making it easy for his loyalists to dismiss the mounting evidence of his horrific crimes with the very phrase: "He was the best guy around. What murder?"

The Psychological Phenomenon of the "Best Guy" Killer

In true crime, the "best guy around" is a recurring archetype, representing the ultimate failure of community perception. This phenomenon is rooted in the concepts of sociopathy, psychopathy, and the "facade of normalcy"—a deliberate, sophisticated mask worn to manipulate and deceive others.

Experts note that many high-functioning sociopaths and psychopaths are masters of mimicry. They study social norms and emotional responses, learning to replicate the behavior of a "good person" without actually feeling empathy or remorse. This allows them to maintain a stable job, a family, and a public life while secretly harboring violent or criminal tendencies.

The List: Serial Killers and Murderers Who Mastered the Facade

The Gotti case is just one example. The phrase "He was the best guy around" has been applied to some of the most shocking murderers in modern history, whose double lives were a devastating betrayal of trust.

1. Dennis Rader (The BTK Killer)

For decades, Dennis Rader was the epitome of a respectable, ordinary man in Wichita, Kansas. He was a husband, a father, a church council president, a Cub Scout leader, and a compliance officer. He was so unremarkable, in fact, that his neighbors and community members were stunned when he was arrested in 2005 for the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) murders that spanned 30 years. His public life was a perfect, boring cover for his secret, violent psychopathy, a classic case of the "best guy around."

2. Chris Watts

The 2018 murder of his pregnant wife, Shanann, and two daughters, Bella and Celeste, by Chris Watts shocked the nation precisely because of his public image. Watts was portrayed in social media posts and by neighbors as a devoted, doting father and husband. When his family initially went missing, he gave tearful, televised pleas for their return, a performance of a grieving father that fooled countless people. The revelation that the "best guy around" had cold-bloodedly murdered his entire family was a stark reminder of how thin the facade of normalcy can be.

3. John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy, the infamous "Killer Clown," was a successful businessman, a local political organizer, and a beloved figure in his Chicago suburb. He frequently performed at children's parties and community events as "Pogo the Clown." His neighbors described him as an outgoing, friendly, and hardworking man—the exact opposite of the serial killer who raped and murdered at least 33 young men and boys. Gacy’s ability to maintain a respected public life while committing his atrocities is a textbook example of the trope.

4. Ted Bundy

While often viewed as a charismatic monster, Ted Bundy's success as a serial killer was largely due to his ability to appear as the "best guy around." He was handsome, articulate, and intelligent—even studying law. He didn't fit the stereotypical image of a killer, which was a key factor in his ability to lure victims and evade suspicion for years. His charm was his weapon, convincing those around him that he was an upstanding individual incapable of violence.

The Danger of Superficial Trust in True Crime

The enduring power of the "He was the best guy around. What murder?" phrase lies in its commentary on human nature and the justice system. In the case of John Gotti, the media-driven image of the "Dapper Don" was so compelling that it created a public willingness to overlook his criminal reality. Even after his conviction for five murders, a segment of the public struggled to reconcile the charismatic figure with the ruthless killer.

This phenomenon forces a re-evaluation of how we perceive criminality. It teaches the crucial lesson that the most dangerous individuals are often not the ones who look suspicious, but those who are most adept at blending in. The perfect neighbor, the dedicated volunteer, or the charming community leader can, in fact, be a master manipulator hiding a profound darkness.

Ultimately, the "best guy around" is a warning: the most effective disguise for a killer is often an impeccable reputation. The shock waves from these cases—from the Gambino family's boss to the BTK killer—continue to shape how we view true crime, reminding us that appearances can be fatally deceiving.

The
he was the best guy around what murder
he was the best guy around what murder

Detail Author:

  • Name : Jodie Dietrich
  • Username : loraine66
  • Email : nikki.murphy@friesen.com
  • Birthdate : 2006-03-09
  • Address : 961 Mekhi Avenue Suite 496 Zacharyport, PA 76009
  • Phone : 415-501-7651
  • Company : Howell-Gottlieb
  • Job : Computer Security Specialist
  • Bio : Repellendus aliquid mollitia et vitae qui. Nisi labore facere eveniet vel fugiat ipsum eveniet. Voluptas non in quod ipsa mollitia sequi. Voluptatem nulla non quibusdam magnam consequuntur aliquam.

Socials

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@luettgena
  • username : luettgena
  • bio : In tenetur distinctio earum cumque quia. Perferendis est id quas sed natus.
  • followers : 5892
  • following : 807

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/luettgena
  • username : luettgena
  • bio : Eaque similique optio sed nobis. Id illum quis asperiores vel. Voluptatibus explicabo et praesentium quas velit.
  • followers : 2940
  • following : 2598

facebook:

instagram:

linkedin:

Random Posts