Claire Dunbar

Claire Dunbar is a delusional serial killer who appeared in Season Ten of Criminal Minds.

Profile
The unsub is a woman classified as a Female Annihilator, a black widow who lures men in most likely with the promise of sex and then kills them. What triggered the murders is unknown, but it was most likely connected to a specific person or event, the trauma being profound. She's an attractive woman in her early 20s, which is how she is able to draw in her preferred targets of affluent, handsome young men. She herself lives humbly, without much money. One of her victims characterized her as a townie impressed by his luxury vehicle. The killer inserts cell phones or wrist watches into her victims' mouths and sets the alarm for midnight. This is her way of saying "time's up" or or "A new day dawns, but not for you". Putting objects in mouths is also a symbolic way to silence or gag victims. This could also indicate that the unsub feels her own voice has not been heard. If the triggering event was an assault suffered by the unsub herself, she might feel that she was denied the justice she deserved. So she has appointed herself as judge, jury and executioner, killing surrogates for her own attacker. She may have been a victim of sexual assault, but charges weren't filed because the accused was either wealthy or connected. With the third victim, ash residue was found on his body and car. This ritual aspect could symbolize the unsub's rebirth, like the phoenix rising from the ashes to live again. With this sense of resurrection she experiences with each of the murders, she would become more emboldened and more dangerous.

Appearances

 * Season Ten
 * If the Shoe Fits