The serial killer's back story is based on the lead character's backstory from the Showtime series Dexter.
As well as the killer's backstory being based upon that of the title character in "Dexter", the actor playing the killer also starred in the show "Dexter" himself, playing another killer, Zach, to whom the character Dexter tried to teach his code. The kill room he sets up in this episode also resembles the one Dexter used and taught to Zach.