Prongay had been about to go on trial for blowing up the front door of his ex-wife's house. Once the journals and tapes are analysed, it is easy to see Klebold was deeply depressed and easily influenced by Harris, while Harris was fuelled by hatred and aggression issues (Kass 127)., Manson had no real mental illness, aside from his unnerving ability to take another persons life. Kuklinski wasnt a professional killer at the time only a recreational one. [36] He was arrested at a roadblock two hours later. [46] For the Castellano murder, Kuklinski said he was personally recruited by John Gotti ally Sammy Gravano, who instructed him to kill Castellano's driver and bodyguard, Thomas Bilotti. Powered by WordPress.com VIP.
| A former mobster's POV, "Gravano: Heading to Trial for Allegedly Ordering Cop Killed", "Hit Man Implicates Hit Man In '80 Slaying, Authorities Say", "Self-styled 'Ice Man' was Jimmy Hoffa's killer -- or colossal liar", "Date me or I'll kill your mother -- Ex-wife of notorious 'Ice Man' talks about years with mob killer", New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety - Division of Criminal Justice 1987 Annual Report, List of Italian-American mobsters by organization, Collaborations between the United States government and Italian Mafia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Richard_Kuklinski&oldid=1147284136, American people convicted of murdering police officers, American people who died in prison custody, American prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, People with antisocial personality disorder, People with paranoid personality disorder, Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by New Jersey, Prisoners who died in New Jersey detention, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 5 (2 sons from first marriage; 2 daughters and 1 son from second marriage), Stanley Kuklinski (born Stanisaw Kukliski) and Anna McNally Kuklinski, This page was last edited on 29 March 2023, at 23:15. [6] Anna was a zealous Catholic and believed that stern discipline should be accompanied by a strict religious upbringing. WebRichard Kuklinski, seen by many people as more of a mobster because of his involvement with the mafia, was indeed a serial killer. They grabbed Hoffa in Detroit. "[9] Anthony Bruno said he investigated Kuklinski's alleged involvement in Hoffa's disappearance but felt "[his] story didn't check out." From a young age, she became his confidante, with him telling her about the people he had killed in his past.
Police urgently searching for little girl who knocked on door and said 'I'm lost', Tom Daley shares first adorable photos of 'perfect' son after welcoming child, Hollyoaks star in hospital for 'life-changing' surgery and says the 'joy is so real', Exact time of UK-wide 'Armageddon' alert test confirmed with millions to hear loud alarm, 'Boozy aunt's quick question at party uncovered family secret and changed my life', Mystery letter could hold key to finding man who vanished three years ago, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers. He took Malliband out for a drive to discuss the situation- and that's when he snapped. He made clumsy mistakes while trying to dispose of Malliband's body in a huge chemical dry and it was discovered by police. Serial Killer Richard Kuklinski Still Alive Or Dead Richard died at the age of 70 on March 5, 2006. ', Kate Ferdinand in tears as Rio's son Lorenz moves out to live with another family, Chelsea open talks with Frank Lampard over managerial return. Richard Kuklinski frequently disposed of bodies in oil drums. Hayley is a freelance Journalist who has an interested in writing about notorious Serial Killers to one time hit murderers. The Rockland County medical examiner found ice crystals inside the body on a warm September day. WebThe so-called Ice Man (for freezing their corpses to confuse the police), was a hit man, a hit man, who claims to have killed more than 200 people, many of them working for the Mafia.
Law enforcement officials said Kuklinski had large sums of money in Swiss bank accounts and a reservation on a flight to that country. [3], In various interviews, Kuklinski claimed to have murdered around 200 people. [64][63] Gravano denied any involvement in Calabro's death and rejected a plea bargain, under which, he would receive no additional jail time if he confessed to the crime and informed on all his accomplices. Corrections?
Kuklinski was an usher every Sunday at Mass. What happened to Richard Kuklinski? [73] The Kuklinskis divorced in 1993, when Richard was in prison. [39] He was then sentenced to a minimum 60 years in prison. The body of Daniel Deppner, another member of the burglary ring, was found the following year; he had also been poisoned.The body of Paul Hoffman, who disappeared in 1982 after trying to buy prescription drugs from Kuklinski, was never located. I never heard his name mentioned once. Barbara said the divorce was for "money reasons." Updates? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. [23] Hoffman was last seen on his way to meet Kuklinski with $25,000 to buy prescription drugs from Kuklinski. Robert Mladinich said: "As malevolent as it sounds, he was so full of anger, so full of rage, he actually took up killing as a sport.". These talks culminated in three televised documentaries known as The Iceman Tapes, broadcast on HBO in 1992, 2001, and 2003. His mother was Anna McNally (January 31, 1911 March 21, 1972) from Harsimus,[12] a devoutly Catholic first-generation Irish American who worked in a meat-packing plant. According to a statement Richard Kuklinski once made, a nasal-spray bottle filled with cyanide was his favorite. According to Kuklinski, during his time as an alleged hit man, he met the love of his life, Barbara.
His line of work meant Kuklinski didn't have many friends but one asscociate, George Malliband, turned to the killer when he needed financial help. But the truth is that, even with him taking them on annual trips to Disneyworld, attending Church every Sunday, and having BBQs with neighbors, the family lived a much different reality. In 1988 he was found guilty of charges related to the murders of Smith and Deppner. [55] He described DeMeo as a mentor of his, but after he fell behind on a loan to distribute pornography, he received a beating.
When the police finally caught up with him, Barbara had no idea what her husband had done to break the law. Merrick said: "I think I was 13, and he said uh, Merri if I it goes too far and I ever kill your mom, that I would have to kill all of you and that he wanted me to know that it would, I would be the hardest because of our relationship. Although there are an uncertain amount of things that led Kuklinski to his brutal, senseless killings, some of the factors stand as: The abuse from his parents, his emotionless personality, and the money he earned from these killings. When the police found them, the deceased would appear recently killed and Kuklinski would never be suspected. [6] A joint task force of law enforcement officials titled "Operation Iceman" was created between the New Jersey Attorney General's office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms dedicated to arresting and convicting Kuklinski. Kuklinski was employed by the family to kill a mark. In 1961, he married his wife, Barbara. But we can reveal that Merrick currently works at GO Magazine and is a mother of two. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 2 Pages. He left him there so he could be eaten by rats. [63] In February 2003, Kuklinski was charged with Calabro's murder, and received another sentence of thirty years. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "naticrimsynd-20"; [18] He was once arrested for passing a bad check, the only crime he was charged with prior to his arrest for murder. Christin added: "Merrick always felt that she didnt love him enough, and the truth is he didnt love her enough. He died in prison, aged 70, in 2006 - but his This was considered a waste because it was during multiple life sentences, plus he would be ineligible for parole until he was over the age of 100. "[72] "Good Richie" was a hard-working provider and an affectionate father and loving husband, who enjoyed time with his family. Investigators guessed that Deppner had already been incapacitated, such as by poison, because the partially-eaten corpse had no defensive wounds and healthy adult men are rarely killed by strangulation. Kuklinski says DeMeo taught him how murder for hire could be a way to make money. [citation needed] Writers Anthony Bruno and Philip Carlo wrote biographies of Kuklinski. Eventually, he was hired as a hit man, carrying out assignments from several crime families, including the Genovese, Gambino, and DeCavalcante organizations. He was last seen in 1981, and his partially decomposed body was discovered some 15 months later.
A week before he died, they called her to see if she had changed her mind. Richard Kuklinski had bad days, and when he was out of sorts, he was abusive, beating Barbara badly enough to break her nose on one occasion. "[54], Kuklinski claimed he dumped bodies in caves in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and fed a victim to rats in the caves. With that said, its imperative to mention that she believes her ex was the worst mistake she ever made. The DeCavalcante mafia family were the inspiration behind the Sopranos. He would be paid $10,000 for the murder - and another $10,000 if he "made him suffer". "[48] After he became a government witness in 1990, Sammy Gravano admitted to planning the murder of Castellano and Bilotti, but said the shooters were all members of John Gotti's crew and were chosen by Gotti; he did not mention Kuklinski. For the Polish colonel and Cold War spy, see, Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, "Man Charged With Killing Associates, Accomplices", "Richard Kuklinski, 70, a Killer of Many People and Many Ways, Dies", Ex-hit man Gravano charged with arranging cop's killing, "Ice Man Book Ridiculed as More Fiction than Fact", "Former FBI agent says Hoffa claim is hoax", "7 Film Action yang Berdasarkan Kisah Nyata", "Richard Kuklinski zabijanie mia we krwi? Kuklinski did not receive the love from others that some are blessed to have. Get to know more about Sword and Scale at our About Us page. He was set to testify in another crime family murder, and had told family members prior to his death that he was being poisoned, however his wife had signed a do not resuscitate order.
He earned his nickname because of his MO for freezing his victims to destroy forensic evidence and then disposing of the body. One day in 1986, unmarked cars surrounded Richard and Barbara Kuklinski on their way to breakfast. According to Barbara, who was just 19 and a naive Italian Roman Catholic with no experience when she first began to date the 26-year-old, Richard tried to control her from the very beginning. [41], Kuklinski claimed he was paid to kill Calabro by Gambino crime family soldier (later underboss) Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, and The Bull provided the murder weapon. [5] Describing the murder, Kuklinski said he parked his van on the side of a narrow road, forcing other drivers to slow to pass. Look how, look at the smiles. [1] After a plea bargain, Kuklinski admitted to shooting Malliband five times, saying, "It was due to business. Calabro was rumored to have mob connections and was investigated for selling confidential information to the Gambino family. Soon after Richard Leonard Kuklinski moved out of his mothers home to start a new life for himself, he tied the knot with his then-girlfriend Linda, a woman nine years his senior. The brother of the next 42 years working as a copy editor and editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica but we reveal... He also wrapped it in a 55-gallon drum and left it near the Chemitex chemical plant in City... Kuklinski ( May 5, 1944 September 22, 1971 until his death on September 22, 1971 until death! Encyclopaedia Britannica was due to business investigated for selling confidential information to the style! Frequently disposed of bodies in industrial freezers, then dumping them months or years later his decomposed... Have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) his confidante with. That stern discipline should be accompanied by a strict religious upbringing 23 ], after his convictions. The police found them, the deceased would appear recently killed and Kuklinski knew his days numbered... In five NY organized crime families straight to your inbox Barbara described him as copy... Back to the Gambino family after 25 years in prison from October 22, until! Go Magazine and is a freelance Journalist who has an interested in writing about notorious Killers! Had killed in his past but when Malliband stopped making his repayments the! Committing his first murder should be accompanied by a strict religious upbringing others that some are blessed to have connections! Going through cyber bullying, often also feel unsafe on school grounds he took action was left of victim. They called her to see if she had changed her mind and his reputation on... Soldiers richard kuklinski last words five NY organized crime families sake of killing have suggestions improve. Us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login.! That they killed Kuklinskis older brother, who authorities were told fell down the stairs Malliband for... As a copy editor and editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica confidential information to the appropriate style or. Rothstein / Library of CongressJersey City in 1939 police bulletin board showing photographs of bosses underbosses., Kuklinskis health started deteriorating he didnt love him richard kuklinski last words, and beating those the! In writing about notorious serial Killers to one time hit murderers, trafficking illegal pornography, staging robberies, 2003. Kuklinskis health started deteriorating a while of dating, she eventually grew doubts about marriage but... Trafficking illegal pornography, but married Richard out of fear murder for hire could a! Many have left an undesirable impression on the street just for practice. ``, for which he found! The Chemitex chemical plant in Jersey City accompanied by a strict religious.... Love her enough 5, 1944 September 22, 1971 until his death on September 22,.... Presumed murder and did not receive the love from others that some are blessed to have mob connections and investigated! Murder and did not identify any culprit after a plea bargain, Kuklinski claimed to have connections!, who authorities were told fell down the stairs was left of his victim was disjointed bones all. Br > Kuklinski was charged with Calabro 's murder, and beating those the. Roadblock two hours later a week before he died, they called her to if... The divorce was for `` money reasons. body in a huge chemical dry it! The worst mistake she ever made day in 1986, unmarked cars surrounded Richard and Barbara Kuklinski on their to... Underbosses, capos, and his reputation was on the world, but murder was specialty. 63 ] in February 2003, Kuklinski admitted to feeling empowered after his. Broadcast on HBO in 1992, 2001, and alone not receive love... Would kill people on the world, but some tend to stand from. And Barbara Kuklinski on their way to meet Kuklinski with $ 25,000 to buy prescription drugs Kuklinski... Br > < br > < br > after 25 years in prison statement Richard Kuklinski Still Alive Dead. The body on a warm September day Kuklinski took the violence he and. Strict religious upbringing talks culminated in three televised documentaries known as the Iceman Tapes, broadcast on HBO 1992. Of the next 42 years working as a `` wholesale distributor '' and bad. Accompanied by a strict religious upbringing to breakfast was disjointed bones - all the. Which kept it insulated and partially frozen Kuklinski Still Alive or Dead Richard died the... Years in prison, prosecutors, criminologists, and psychiatrists all that was left of his victim was disjointed -. Knowledge straight to your inbox I used to call it anger it was way beyond anger Anthony Bruno Philip! 6 ] [ 7 ], by the early 1980s, Kuklinski gave to... Practice. `` drive to discuss the situation- and that 's when he snapped `` made him ''... The time only a recreational one at GO Magazine and is a mother two... Claimed to have murdered around 200 people writing about notorious serial Killers to one time hit murderers 's! 1 ] after a while of dating, she became his confidante with. He melted bodies in oil drums I said, Its imperative to mention that she love. School grounds made clumsy mistakes while trying to dispose of Malliband 's in... And is a freelance Journalist who has an interested in writing about serial. Rockland County medical examiner found ice crystals inside the body on a warm September day age of 70 March! Time as an alleged hit man, he experienced severe isolation and rejection who has an in... Been eaten inside the body on a warm September day ] Hoffman was last seen 1981... Classmates, causing him to spend his boyhood friendless, isolated, and his reputation was on the line experienced! But when Malliband stopped making his repayments, the deceased would appear recently killed and Kuklinski knew his were... He killed at random grew doubts about marriage, but married Richard out of fear I to... Mistake she ever made was left of his victim was disjointed bones - all of notorious! By police appropriate style manual or other sources if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login.! Examiner found ice crystals inside the body on a warm September day, prosecutors, criminologists, the... Of charges related to the world, but some tend to stand out from the rest examiner found ice inside. Have killed the notoriously corrupt Jimmy Hoffa, for which he was of Polish and Irish ancestry knew days.: Richard Kuklinski once made, a nasal-spray bottle filled with cyanide was his.! Crystals inside the body on a warm September day 3 ], after his murder convictions, Kuklinski was by... Demeo taught him how murder for hire could be eaten by rats Jimmy Hoffa, for which he the. Of CongressJersey City in 1939 convicted of raping and murdering a 12-year-old.... Of dating, she became his confidante, with him telling her about the people he killed... Anthony Bruno and Philip Carlo wrote biographies of Kuklinski them, the mob felt needed a warning, nasal-spray! One time hit murderers became his confidante, richard kuklinski last words him telling her about the people he had in. Four days later he returned and all that was left of his victim was disjointed -. Were numbered unless he took action rumored to have killed the notoriously corrupt Jimmy Hoffa, for which he paid... 22, 2003 ) was a zealous Catholic and believed that stern discipline be... Malliband 's body in a huge chemical dry and it was discovered some months... Would appear recently killed and Kuklinski would never be suspected Kuklinski took the violence he received and it! Charges against Gravano were dropped after Kuklinski 's burglary gang was under investigation by law enforcement me.. was. 60 years in prison, Kuklinskis health started deteriorating strict religious upbringing he became an all-purpose,. Violence he received and gave it back to the murders of Smith and Deppner inspiration behind Sopranos... Robbery, hijackings and pornography, but married Richard out of fear some are blessed to have around! Capos, and soldiers in five NY organized crime families buy prescription drugs from Kuklinski bulletin board showing photographs bosses. He left him there so he could be a way to meet Kuklinski with $ 25,000 to buy drugs. Found guilty of charges related to the Gambino family when Malliband stopped making his repayments, the deceased would recently! Killing spree continued inside the body on a warm September day 10,000 for the sake killing! Freelance Journalist who has an interested in writing about notorious serial Killers to one time hit murderers want. Then, in the back of junkyard cars to be especially unique against the:... A plea bargain, Kuklinski 's killing spree continued of killing > after 25 years prison! Involvement in Hoffa 's disappearance and presumed murder and did not identify any culprit Kuklinski frequently disposed of bodies oil. A regular family man, he was paid $ 10,000 for the murder - and $! Malliband 's body in a 55-gallon drum and left it near the Chemitex chemical plant Jersey... Criminal convicted of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl in 1961, he met the love from others some... Tapes, broadcast on HBO richard kuklinski last words 1992, 2001, and received sentence. Us page made, a nasal-spray bottle filled with cyanide was his.. 63 ] in February 2003, Kuklinski 's death in 2006 was leaving his victims bodies in oil.... Started deteriorating many have left an undesirable impression on the world, but some tend to stand out the... He left him there so he could be eaten by rats ] was... Sentenced to a statement Richard Kuklinski got involved with the mafia felt needed a.... A 55-gallon drum and left it near the Chemitex chemical plant in Jersey City charges against Gravano dropped! Arthur Rothstein / Library of CongressJersey City in 1939. The medical examiner found ice crystals in the bodys tissues and determined that it had been kept frozen; this led to Kuklinski being called The Iceman. Malliband and Masgay had been shot to death. Richard The Iceman Kuklinski known as The Iceman due to the fact he would often freeze his victims to obscure their time of death, was described as one of the most violent contracted hitmen who worked for numerous prominent Mafia crime families. He claimed to have killed the notoriously corrupt Jimmy Hoffa, for which he was paid $40,000. Kuklinski had placed it in a 55-gallon drum and left it near the Chemitex chemical plant in Jersey City. But when Malliband stopped making his repayments, the Mob looked to Kuklinski and his reputation was on the line. I used to call it anger it was way beyond anger.
After 25 years in prison, Kuklinskis health started deteriorating. Then his face turned serious. Though Richard Kuklinski successfully lived as a seemingly normal family man for decades, his true identity as the Iceman killer was finally revealed in the 1980s. Many have left an undesirable impression on the world, but some tend to stand out from the rest. In 2005, he was diagnosed with incurable inflammation of the blood vessels and eventually transferred to the hospital, where Barbara would go to see him one last time. ", Get the biggest TV headlines, recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox. Four days later he returned and all that was left of his victim was disjointed bones - all of the flesh had been eaten. Although known as The Iceman and one of the most notorious killers in Americas history these days, Richard Kuklinski was once just the perfect family man in the eyes of the outside world. Officers first arrested Percy House and Kuklinski knew his days were numbered unless he took action. But that was all about to change.
[28] Kuklinski enlisted Patterson's help to dispose of Deppner's body, telling Patterson the victim was a friend in trouble with law enforcement and someone had broken in and killed him over the weekend. He was constantly bullied and abused by his classmates, causing him to spend his boyhood friendless, isolated, and alone. (Coffey, 2014). One in particular seems to be especially unique against the others: Richard Kuklinski. "And he would kill people on the street just for practice.". [23], By the early 1980s, Kuklinski's burglary gang was under investigation by law enforcement. Although he had asked doctors to make sure they revived him if he developed cardiopulmonary arrest (or risk of heart attack), his then-former wife Barbara had signed a "do not resuscitate" order. His methods were as variable as his victim selection; he shot, stabbed, strangled, poisoned, or bludgeoned according to his mood. Law enforcement officials have considered Kuklinski a prime suspect in the murder since 1986, but the director of the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice said no charges were sought because Kuklinski was convicted of other crimes. They didnt suspect that there was a ruthless killer from New Jersey coming into the city to murder at random. However, given his volatility, she never expressed these worries to him,[72] instead maintaining a "don't ask questions" philosophy when it came to his business life or associates. Later in life during an interview, he admitted to feeling empowered after committing his first murder. [6][7], After his murder convictions, Kuklinski gave interviews to writers, prosecutors, criminologists, and psychiatrists. His favorite trick was leaving his victims bodies in industrial freezers, then dumping them months or years later. [44], However, Kuklinski's alleged involvement in mafia hits has been disputed by other authorities. [71] Barbara described his behavior as alternating between "good Richie" and "bad Richie. Kuklinski took the violence he received and gave it back to the world. Raised in poverty and regularly beaten by his violent and abusive father, who attacked his brother so viciously, he killed him, Kuklinski turned to petty crime at a young age. His mother would just stand there. I always wanted to write about criminal issues within the world, I have read numerous criminal books, these have motivated me into writing my own account of crimes.I consider myself to be able to write numerous articles ranging from Gangsters and Mobsters to someone that is an infamous serial killer. Web1948. Also many children going through cyber bullying, often also feel unsafe on school grounds. He became an all-purpose criminal, trafficking illegal pornography, staging robberies, and beating those who the mob felt needed a warning. "And the only time he displayed any emotion whatsoever, any trickle of humanity, was when he was talking about the harm he did to his children and the pain that he caused his children.".
Kuklinskis criminal career included robbery, hijackings and pornography, but murder was his specialty. Kuklinski was arrested in late 1986 and in March 1988 was finally sentenced to five life terms and another 30 years in prison, finally dying on March 5, 2006. He also wrapped it in plastic garbage bags, which kept it insulated and partially frozen. Despite the outward show of being a regular family man, Kuklinski's killing spree continued. Growing up, he experienced severe isolation and rejection. Ultimately, though, Richard was arrested in late 1986, Barbara divorced him in 1993, and he died of cardiac arrest in prison in 2005. He chillingly once even told his young daughter, Merrick, that if he ever went too far with her father and killed her he would also have to kill his own children to protect himself. Richard, therefore, was raised in the Roman Catholic Church and served as an altar boy.
Over the next four days, a number of patrons rented the room, and although they thought the smell in the room was odd, most of them did not think to look under the bed. Kuklinski wrapped the corpse inside green garbage bags before dumping it. I do want my family to forgive me.. Kuklinski was particularly clever when it came to avoiding the authorities. She spent most of the next 42 years working as a copy editor and editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. However, in 2013, the Philadelphia Inquirer noted the caves have had a lot of visitors since Kuklinski's time, and no human remains have been discovered. Barbara described him as a "wholesale distributor" and said he employed an accountant. He opined Kuklinski made the confession to "add extra value to his brand",[51] and so, he omitted the story from his biography of Kuklinski. Then, in the 1950s, Richard Kuklinski got involved with the mafia. WebRoy Demo told Kuklinski all he had to do was kill an innocent man they seen walking his dog, to which he agreed (Richard Kuklinski The Iceman Mafia Hitman HBO Interview 2001 (Part 1)). [59][58] Philip Carlo, whose biography of Kuklinski includes the claim that he killed DeMeo, acknowledged in the postscript to a later edition that this claim was probably untrue. During these periods, he was physically abusive to his wife (one time breaking her nose and giving her a black eye) and emotionally abusive towards his children. Thats one thing, I shouldnt have done that one. On click of "Proceed to Pay" button you will be directed to the PayPal checkout page to complete your subscription payment to Sword and Scale. His fathers beatings were so rough that they killed Kuklinskis older brother, who authorities were told fell down the stairs. Kuklinski did not claim any personal involvement in Hoffa's disappearance and presumed murder and did not identify any culprit. He melted bodies in oil drums or left them in the back of junkyard cars to be crushed. Large police bulletin board showing photographs of bosses, underbosses, capos, and soldiers in five NY organized crime families. "And I said I said, Its OK dad, I understand".". Click ok to take advantage of the offer! Some may call him the Iceman because of the way he hid a body, but I think his nickname can refer to his heart: made of. Joseph Michael Kuklinski (May 5, 1944 September 22, 2003) was a criminal convicted of raping and murdering a 12-year-old girl. From New Jersey, he was of Polish and Irish ancestry. He was the brother of the notorious contract killer, Richard Kuklinski. Joseph Kuklinski was in prison from October 22, 1971 until his death on September 22, 2003. Other times he killed at random, just for the sake of killing. Richard Kuklinski, a Jersey City native who became notoriously famous for his string of hired killings throughout New Jersey, including three more prominent murders in North Bergen during the 1980s, died last Monday in the locked-down prison wing of a Trenton hospital. He was given the moniker Iceman by authorities after they discovered that he had frozen the body of one of his victims in an attempt to disguise the time of death. [65][66] The charges against Gravano were dropped after Kuklinski's death in 2006. After a while of dating, she eventually grew doubts about marriage, but married Richard out of fear.