The 2024 Prime Video collection Cross has not too long ago concluded its first season, leaving followers desperate to uncover the identification of the Sandman Serial Killer. An adaptation of the favored Alex Cross novel collection by American creator James Patterson, the present follows the titular detective and forensic psychologist as he solves sinister crimes.
Right here’s the whole lot we all know concerning the Sandman Serial Killer from the 2024 collection Cross.
Who’s Cross’ Sandman serial killer and the way is he related to Maurice Freeman Jr.?
Cross Season 1 introduces the Sandman serial killer, Maurice Freeman Jr., as a fictional character created completely for the collection. The present seamlessly blends him with references to real-life serial killers.
Ed Ramsey, also referred to as “The Fanboy” (performed by Ryan Eggold), targets Emir Goodspeed as his first sufferer. Goodspeed, a beloved native activist, is discovered useless in his automotive along with his dreads mysteriously shaved off. Whereas the Metro PD initially believes it to be a drug overdose, Alex Cross suspects homicide and uncovers a scrapbook belonging to Ramsey. This scrapbook comprises profiles of Ramsey’s victims alongside particulars of 11 serial killers he idolized, together with the Sandman.
Cross explains that Ramsey modeled his victims to resemble particular serial killers. For instance, Emir Goodspeed’s abdomen contents—grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes, and a chocolate cupcake—matched the fictional Sandman’s final meal earlier than execution, as described within the scrapbook. Cross explains that Ramsey manipulated every of his victims to resemble a particular serial killer:
“All proper, Emir Goodspeed was murdered by a serial killer, however that killer stored a scrapbook of their work. In right here, you’ll discover a postmortem picture of Emir and ten different victims. Every of these victims was remodeled to resemble a serial killer.”
The collection references real-life killers like Aileen Wuornos and John Wayne Gacy, however it creates Maurice Freeman Jr., the Sandman, as a wholly fictional character. The present portrays him as a serial killer who “raped and killed 14 ladies” and was “executed in 2007 by deadly injection” (by way of The Direct). In actuality, no such individual exists.
An actual-life German serial killer nicknamed the Sandman existed within the early twentieth century. Nonetheless, he has no connection to the Cross character. The creators probably invented Freeman Jr. to keep away from authorized or moral points when linking a killer to Emir Goodspeed’s homicide. They portrayed him with sufficient element to make him appear actual.
Cross Season 1 is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
