The chilling legacy of Herb Baumeister, an Indiana businessman and father of three, continues to unfold decades after his alleged killing spree that targeted primarily gay men in the Indianapolis suburb of Westfield during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Baumeister, who lived on a sprawling 18-acre estate known as Fox Hollow Farm, is believed to have murdered at least 25 people. His property, upon investigation, revealed a horrifying scene with over 10,000 “burnt and crushed” skeletal remains.
10,000 human remains were found on a serial killer Herb Baumeister’s farm — and authorities are still identifying victims. 😳😡https://t.co/pGqkQgTLlJ
— CJ4America2 (@GrammyC4Zone2) June 2, 2024
The investigation into these remains has been revitalized by Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison after Baumeister’s suicide in 1996. Despite the challenging nature of the case due to the condition of the remains, the coroner’s office, with the help of a team of law enforcement and forensic specialists, remains dedicated to identifying the victims. Recently, four new DNA profiles have been linked to Baumeister, raising the confirmed victim count to 12.
Recent breakthroughs in the case include the identification of victims such as Allen Livingston and Manuel Resendez, who had been missing since 1993 and 1996, respectively. These identifications were made possible through advanced DNA analysis and forensic genealogy provided by Othram Lab, the country’s largest forensic genetic genealogy lab.
More human remains found at Fox Hollow Farm, the former residence of suspected serial killer Herb Baumeister, have been linked to a man who had been previously named as one of his victims. pic.twitter.com/tuzyVpLjTf
— Marc Mullins (@MarcMullins1) January 25, 2024
Baumeister’s method of disposing of the bodies involved hiding decomposed remains and charred bone fragments across his property and nearby trails. The gruesome reality of his crimes began to surface when his teenage son discovered a human skull, leading his mother to eventually allow law enforcement to search the property. This led to the discovery of multiple victims’ remains and ultimately to Baumeister fleeing and taking his own life in Ontario at the age of 49 before he could be arrested or charged.
While Baumeister never admitted to the murders in his suicide note, his dual life is a textbook example of serial killer behavior, as outlined in a 2005 FBI report. Publicly, he was an ordinary husband and father, but secretly, he assumed the alias “Brian Smart” to lure his victims from bars, a tactic that allowed him to hide in plain sight within the community.
National: Another set of human remains recovered in Indiana at the former home of Herb Baumeister has been identified by the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. https://t.co/ZnV4YMXM1U
— KAMR Local 4 News (@KAMRLocal4News) May 23, 2024
The ongoing efforts to identify Baumeister’s victims involve multiple agencies including the FBI, Indiana State Police Laboratory, and Dr. Krista Latham from the University of Indianapolis. The collaborative effort aims to finally bring closure to the families of the victims and to hold Baumeister accountable, even posthumously, for his heinous acts.
Major Points
- Herb Baumeister, a businessman from Indiana, is suspected of murdering at least 25 gay men during the late 1980s to early 1990s on his 18-acre property.
- Over 10,000 burnt and crushed skeletal remains were found scattered across Baumeister’s estate, making victim identification challenging.
- Recent advancements in DNA technology have helped identify 12 victims so far, with ongoing efforts by forensic teams.
- Baumeister fled to Ontario and committed suicide in 1996 before he could be arrested, leaving many questions unanswered.
- The investigation continues with the aid of multiple forensic experts and agencies, including the FBI and Othram Lab, to provide closure to the victims’ families.
Kirk Volo – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
