The world of contract killers and hit men has long been a fascination for Hollywood and true crime enthusiasts alike. But do real hit men actually exist? The answer may surprise you.
According to experts, while there have been enforcers for gangs and organized crime families throughout history, the idea of a slick, skilled hit man is largely a myth. Dennis Kenney, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, explained to The New York Times that most contract killers are simply thugs looking for a quick payday.
Notable examples of contract killers include Charles Voyde Harrelson, father of actor Woody Harrelson, who was convicted of two murders for hire. Mobsters are also known to have used contract killers for their dirty work.
Despite the popular image of hit men in movies and TV shows, murder-for-hire plots are actually quite rare. In 2022, there were only seven arrests for contract killing in New York State, and the FBI works on about 70 to 90 murder-for-hire cases nationally each year.
As for the cost of hiring a hit man, estimates vary depending on the target and the difficulty of the hit. Fees have ranged from $25,000 to kill a spouse to just $600 for a girlfriend, according to FBI news releases.
And for those who think they can hire a hit man to take care of their problems, think again. Police departments have been known to use fake hit men in sting operations to catch would-be criminals in the act.
So while the idea of a real-life hit man may be intriguing, the truth is far less glamorous and much more dangerous.
