The Serial Killer Who Inspired Ayn Rand

William Edward Hickman.

Dec. 15, 1927, Mt. Vernon Junior High School, Los Angeles, California: A well-dressed young man arrived at the registrar’s office to pick up Perry Parker’s daughter. Her father, he said, had been seriously injured in an accident and wanted to see his daughter.

The school official asked him which daughter — Parker had two. The young man said Mr. Parker had asked for the younger one.