THE NEWEST SERIAL KILLER? MAN ADMITTED TO 16 KILLINGS IN NEW MEXICO, NEW JERSEY

A man facing five murder counts admitted to killing more than a dozen people, which would make him America’s newest serial killer.  

Sean Lannon, 47, was arrested earlier this month after police say he killed four people in New Mexico and another person in New Jersey. A nationwide manhunt unfolded after the New Jersey killing and he was arrested in St. Louis. 

 In New Mexico, Lannon is accused of killing his ex-wife and three other people. 

This week, Lannon was in New Jersey court for a preliminary hearing in connection to the murder in the Garden State. Prosecutors said during the hearing that Lannon admitted to killing many more, mostly in New Mexico, according to 6ABC Philadelphia.

"He admitted to killing a total of 16 people between New Mexico, albeit 15 in New Mexico, and one in the state of New Jersey," Assistant Prosecutor of Gloucester County Alec Gutierrez said, according to the news channel.

He is also accused of killing Michael Dabkowski in New Jersey. Lannon claimed Dabkowski sexually abused him as a child and he went to the home to try and retrieve pictures, according to media reports. 

 Officials say Lannon killed Dabkowski with a hammer. 

Lannon told officials the 11 other people he has killed were drug dealers, according to CBS Philadelphia. 

If Lannon's claims are true, his number of victims is similar to notorious killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer and Robert Hansen.