Horror farm: More than 10 thousand corpses
Efforts are continuing to identify more than 10,000 human remains found on the farm of a suspected serial killer in Indiana. The first discoveries were made in 1996.
Authorities in Indiana are continuing their efforts to identify more than 10,000 human remains found on the farm belonging to a suspected serial killer. Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison announced the final identification in the case this week; These discoveries first began in 1996, when human bones were found on the 18-acre Fox Hollow Farm.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Herb Baumeister, a successful businessman and father of three, is thought to have lured young men to his home and murdered them after moving to the property with his family in 1988. In 1994, Baumeister’s 15-year-old son found a human skull in the woods behind the house, and around the same time, police began searching for a serial killer who was targeting gay men. Baumeister’s wife, Julie, questioned her husband about this finding, and Baumeister claimed it might be a remnant from his father’s medical practice, according to detectives.
However, after Julie filed for divorce in 1996, police searched the property and found a skull, teeth and other bone fragments. This discovery ultimately led to the discovery of more than 10,000 “burnt and crushed” bone fragments, or remains of the victims.
HE COMMITTED SUICIDE AFTER THE INCIDENT
Police issued an arrest warrant for Baumeister, but he fled to Ontario and committed suicide before being charged. Authorities believe the remains found on the farm belong to at least 25 victims. The last identified victim was Jeffrey A. Jones, who disappeared in 1993. Advanced DNA technology has triggered new efforts to identify more victims. This effort was led by the FBI, the Indiana State Police Laboratory, the University of Indianapolis Department of Biology and Anthropology, and Dr. It is being conducted in collaboration with Krista Latham and DNA experts from Texas-based Othram Lab.
“THE INVESTIGATION IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT”
A total of three identifications have been made in the last six months and four more DNA profiles have been sent to the FBI. Allen Livingston, who disappeared in August 1993, and Manuel Resendez, who disappeared in 1996, were identified in December and January, respectively. “This investigation is extremely challenging, as many remains were found burned and crushed, but the team of law enforcement and forensic experts investigating the case remains committed,” said Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison. Indiana Police and the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office are asking anyone who knows someone missing from that period to contact the medical examiner’s office.