Mind of a Serial Killer, a new immersive true-crime experience, launched in New York City on Friday. Located at 526 6 Ave., the experience takes guests through the minds of some of the most well-known serial killers in history, such as Jeffery Dahmer, H. H. Holmes and John Wayne Gacy.
Mind of a Serial Killer was first unveiled in February of this year in Dublin, Ireland, before making its way to the U.S. in April.
“It takes you around the world in terms of the different ways that these killers think and operate,” Executive Producer John Zaller said. “[It] allows us all to explore this dark part of the human soul that we fortunately don’t have to experience on a regular basis.”
However, unlike many other serial killer-related experiences, this exhibit is working to dismantle the stigma of glorifying serial killers that has often been presented across media and entertainment outlets. Instead of turning serial killers into celebrities, Mind of a Serial Killer’s mission is to dissect the mindsets of what drives murder for a better global understanding, while creating a place to honor slain victims.
Photo by Isabella Bernabeo 
A exhibit in Mind of a Serial Killer.Photo by Isabella Bernabeo 
A exhibit in Mind of a Serial Killer.Photo by Isabella Bernabeo
“I saw a certain tendency for us to idolize and turn into celebrities these killers. I wanted to tell the real story of these killers without a bunch of drama around them,” Zaller said. “I wanted to shine a light directly on them and say these are not heroes.”
The experience begins on the top floor of the building, where guests can purchase an additional VR experience. In the VR, guests act as an FBI agent working to solve a murder and rescue two potential victims.
“It’s a very powerful experience where you get to actually go in the footsteps of the investigators, to track, to trace the clues, to hopefully rescue these victims before it’s too late,” Zaller said.
Next, guests make their way downstairs into the main part of the exhibit. First, visitors find themselves inside a classic FBI agency, where artifacts and the history of serial killers are laid out for a better contextual understanding.
A exhibit in Mind of a Serial Killer.Photo by Isabella Bernabeo 
A exhibit in Mind of a Serial Killer.Photo by Isabella Bernabeo 
Merchandise is available for purchase at Mind of a Serial Killer.Photo by Isabella Bernabeo
Afterwards, visitors walk through a series of immersive rooms focused on specific serial killers and their victims. Along the way, signs detailing the origins of fear and folklore, including vampires and witches, line the walls.
The experience ends with a candle-lit room that aims to remember those who have been lost due to these heinous crimes.
“It does its best to truly look into the darkness and give us a framework to understand why these things occur,” Zaller said. “And if I did my job right, you will come away with a better understanding, or at least with the tools to have that conversation and do those investigations to get to those answers.”
The experience runs through June 29 and takes about two hours to complete. Recommended for ages 18+, tickets are available for purchase at mindofaserialkillerexpo.com.