It’s no secret that zodiac signs can be divisive.
Some completely disregard them, while others study their meanings intricately when meeting new people and – more often – choosing a life partner.
But while the 12 astrological signs – based on when you were born – might mean nothing to many, there are thousands who believe people born under them share characteristics.
One strange coincidence in the UK is the number of prolific serial killers who were born under the same star sign – Capricorn. The sign, which originates from the constellation of Capricornus, the goat, applies to people who were born between December 22 and January 19.
There are three notorious killers born in this period – and astrological believers have often pondered whether certain signs could be more prone to certain behaviours.
Here, FEMAIL explains who these murderers are – and how they became infamous…
Harold Shipman – ‘Dr Death’
Harold Shipman, one of the UK’s most prolific killers, was born on January 14, 1946, placing him near the end of the Capricorn period
Harold Shipman, one of the UK’s most prolific killers, was born on January 14, 1946, placing him near the end of the Capricorn period.
The former GP – known as ‘Dr Death’ – is estimated to have killed around 250 (although one coroner said it could be a thousand) predominantly elderly, female patients.
Shipman worked as a general practitioner in Greater Manchester from 1977, where he gained respectability as a doctor and established a thriving practice.
However, in 1998, one of his patients, an 81-year-old woman, was found dead in her home just hours after she was visited by Shipman. Her family later discovered that her will had been changed to benefit the doctor, with her entire £400,000 estate left to him.
Further questions were raised when Shipman insisted an autopsy was unnecessary.
But long before a police investigation was launched, Shipman had drawn attention to himself by establishing a pattern of murders, earning the moniker of ‘Dr Death’ in his local area.
In 2000 he was convicted on 15 counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
He ended his own life at Category A Wakefield Prison 21 years ago.
However, an inquiry ordered by the government reported in 2005 – a year after his death – found that Shipman had killed an estimated 250 people beginning in 1971.
In most cases, he had injected the victim with a lethal dose of the painkiller diamorphine. He then signed a death certificate attributing their death to natural causes.
Shipman (above in 1963) worked as a general practitioner in Greater Manchester from 1977, where he gained respectability as a doctor and established a thriving practice
Moors murderer Ian Brady
Born on January 2 1938, Ian Brady is also a Capricorn.
The notorious Moors Murderer was jailed in 1966 for the murder of three children – and he later admitted to the murder of two more, four of whom were buried in graves on Saddleworth Moor, Greater Manchester.
He and his lover Myra Hindley, who died in prison in 2002, abducted the five children between 1963 and 1965.
Ian Brady was jailed in 1966 for the murder of three children – and later admitted to the murder of two more, four of whom were buried in graves on Saddleworth Moor, Greater Manchester
Brady and his lover Myra Hindley (right), who died in prison in 2002, abducted the five children between 1963 and 1965
Brady, who was born in Glasgow but later moved to Manchester, was jailed at Chester Crown Court for the murder of three children – John Kilbride, aged 12, Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17 – 59 years ago.
But later, in 1985, he admitted to the murders of Pauline Reade, 16, and Keith Bennett, 12.
Four of the five children killed by Brady were buried in Saddleworth Moor. However, the exact location of 12-year-old Keith’s body was never revealed.
Brady, who was born in Glasgow but later moved to Manchester, was jailed at Chester Crown Court for the murder of three children – John Kilbride, aged 12, Lesley Ann Downey, 10, and Edward Evans, 17
Brady and Hindley were caught when her brother-in-law David Smith witnessedBrady abuse and strangle 17-year-old Edward Evans, who was later killed.
Smith called the police, who arrested Brady and Hindley at home. Here, they found Edward’s body.
Brady died at Ashworth Hospital, a psychiatric unit in Merseyside, in 2017.
Jeremy Bamber
Jeremy Bamber was sentenced to a whole life order in October 1986, meaning he will never be considered for parole, after killing five members of his adoptive family
Another notorious British serial killer who happens to be a Capricorn is Jeremy Bamber.
Bamber was sentenced to a whole life order in October 1986 – meaning he will never be considered for parole – after killing five members of his adoptive family.
It was in 1985 that he was convicted of the White House Farm murders in Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex. The victims included Bamber’s adoptive parents, Nevill and June Bamber; his adoptive sister, Sheila Caffell and his sister’s six-year-old twin sons.
It was argued in court that Bamber had done so to secure a large inheritance from his family, before placing the rifle he used to kill them in the hards of his 28-year-old sister.
In 1985, he was convicted of the White House Farm murders in Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex
This allowed the defence to argue that Sheila – who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia – had killed her parents and sons before turning the gun on herself.
However, Bamber was eventually found guilty of the five murders.
He was handed a life sentence with a whole life tariff, meaning there is no possibility that he could be released on parole.
Now aged 64, he remains in HM Prison Wakefield.