There's no single "most wanted person in history" due to varying jurisdictions and eras, but figures like Osama bin Laden, Dawood Ibrahim, and historically notorious criminals such as Willie Sutton (from the FBI's early lists) or even legendary figures like Jack the Ripper (unidentified) often come to mind, representing different types of widespread notoriety, from terrorism and organized crime to unsolved mysteries, with the FBI's iconic "Ten Most Wanted" highlighting U.S. fugitives.
Despite occasional references in the media, the FBI does not rank their list; no suspect is considered "#1 on the FBI's Most Wanted List" or "The Most Wanted". The list is commonly posted in public places such as post offices.
There's no single "best" FBI agent, but John Douglas (pioneering criminal profiler), Melvin Purvis (famous G-Man of the 1930s), and Joseph Pistone (iconic undercover agent) are legendary figures, alongside the infamous spy Robert Hanssen, whose negative impact highlights the job's extremes. The best often depends on the criteria: bravery, impact on law enforcement, or specific case success.
Victor Manuel Gerena was the fugitive who had spent the longest time ever on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list as of March 2022, having been on the list between May 1984 and December 2016.
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1950s. John Patrick Hannan was an Irish prisoner who escaped from HM Prison The Verne and has not been seen since. He holds the record for the longest escape from custody without being caught.
Despite his removal from the Top Ten List, Brown remains a wanted fugitive. In 2022, a theatrical film about Brown's life was made, titled American Murderer, starring Tom Pelphrey (as Brown), Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel, and Jacki Weaver.
It was announced in December 2023 that John Walsh would return as host of America's Most Wanted, with his son Callahan Walsh serving as co-host.
Joe Pistone is one of the FBI's most celebrated undercover agents. Using the name Donnie Brasco, he infiltrated the New York Mafia and helped produce 200 indictments. Courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
What are the highest-paying jobs?
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White-collar crime is generally non-violent in nature and includes public corruption, health care fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering, to name a few.
Hoover created the 10 Most Wanted in 1950
J. Edgar Hoover became acting director of the FBI in 1924.
Speaking to Deadline, McMahon said: "Over the past few months, the producers of FBI: Most Wanted and I have had discussions about my departure from the show in favor of additional creative pursuits and the transition of my character Jess LaCroix.
Team USA figure skater Jason Brown is approaching the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics with fresh appreciation for his sport. The Highland Park, Illinois, native almost retired in 2022, but he is now going for his third Olympic team.
Former Ten Most Wanted Fugitive #489: Jason Derek Brown is wanted for the murder and armed robbery of an armored car guard in Phoenix, Arizona, in November of 2004. He was removed from the List on December 7, 2022, after it was determined that he no longer fit the criteria for inclusion on the List.
While the Mafia - also known as La Cosa Nostra - may no longer possess the robust national presence and influence it once had, it remains a significant threat in the New York metropolitan area, New England, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit.
Earl J. "Hymie" Weiss (born Henryk Wojciechowski; January 25, 1898 – October 11, 1926), was a Polish-American mob boss who became a leader of the Prohibition-era North Side Gang and a bitter rival of Al Capone. He was known as "the only man Al Capone feared".
Most Wanted Fugitives
Paul Geidel Jr.
(April 21, 1894 – May 1, 1987) was the second longest-serving prison inmate in the United States whose sentence ended with his parole, a fact that earned him a place in Guinness World Records. His record was overtaken by Francis Clifford Smith who survived 70 years, 31 days. Paul Geidel Jr.
Criminals also use hidden locations in remote or natural environments such as forests, fields or vacant lots. Offenders may use tools or the surrounding environs to create hiding places and bury contraband underground or conceal it in concealed compartments [85,86].
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