In the mid-1980s, a serial sex attacker nicknamed “The Fox” — real name Malcolm Fairley — was terrorizing England. Fairley reportedly broke into the homes of random, innocent people and proceeded to make himself feel welcome as he waited for them to return, even going so far as to eat their food or sit back and watch some TV. That particular penchant was actually what earned him his nickname, as it was said that he would “build dens” inside of their homes where he could get comfortable. But once the homeowners returned, then the violence would begin, Fairley threatening them with his shotgun, violently attacking — and even, in some cases, raping — his victims.
The country was, understandably, terrified of Fairley, unsure where or how often he would strike. That in turn sent the authorities into a frenzy, working on one of the largest manhunts in the country’s history, involving some 200 different officers. The discovery of his car ultimately led investigators to him, at which point he confessed to his crimes — 81 separate offenses, none of which he seemed to show any remorse for, according to the officers who caught and spoke with him. The crime spree landed him with six life sentences in 1985.
As October 2023 rolled around, Fairley was apparently up for — and then quickly refused — parole, with a number of officials voicing their approval, firmly believing that he was still too much of a risk to the public. Any debate didn’t last long, though; he died in prison in May 2024, aged 72.
