SERIAL KILLER: Herb Baumeister from Indianapolis
Digest
This episode of Crime Junkie explores the case of Herb Baumeister, a serial killer from Indianapolis. The episode begins with the disappearance of Roger, a 32-year-old man who went missing after visiting a gay bar in 1993. His family faces a 30-day waiting period before police can investigate, hindering their efforts. They hire a private investigator who uncovers a disturbing pattern of missing gay men in the city. Tony, a man who frequented the same bars, recounts a chilling encounter with Brian Smart, who invites him to his mansion for drinks and a swim. The pool room is filled with mannequins, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Brian's behavior becomes increasingly strange, culminating in a near-fatal choking incident. Tony's account leads police to Fox Hollow Farms, the mansion owned by Herb and Julie Baumeister. Police suspect Herb's involvement in the disappearances, but face resistance from Hamilton County authorities who refuse to issue a search warrant. The episode explores Herb's troubled past, revealing a history of disturbing behavior and potential mental health issues. He displayed unusual tendencies as a child and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and multiple personalities. Despite his father's awareness of these issues, Herb received limited treatment. Herb marries Julia, a woman who shares his conservative views. They open a chain of thrift stores and purchase Fox Hollow Farms. Police note that the disappearances in Ohio cease after they acquire the property, suggesting a possible connection to the murders. Police confront Julie, who initially refuses to cooperate but later remembers a strange incident where her son found a skull on their property, which Herb dismissed as an anatomy skeleton. Police conduct an infrared search of Fox Hollow Farms, but the bodies have been buried too long to detect heat. Julie, reflecting on the police's investigation, realizes that their family vacations coincided with the disappearances, suggesting Herb's involvement. With Julie's permission, police excavate the property and uncover 11 bodies. They finally convince Hamilton County authorities to arrest Herb, but he is found dead by suicide on July 4th, 1996. He leaves behind a suicide note that makes no mention of the murders. The episode concludes with a discussion of the impact of the case on Herb's family, who are left with unanswered questions and a lack of closure. The episode highlights the chilling nature of the crimes and the enduring mystery surrounding the missing heads.
Outlines
The Case of Herb Baumeister: A Serial Killer's Legacy
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the chilling case of Herb Baumeister, a serial killer from Indianapolis, who was suspected of murdering multiple gay men. The episode begins with the disappearance of Roger, a 32-year-old man who went missing after visiting a gay bar in 1993. His family faces a 30-day waiting period before police can investigate, hindering their efforts. They hire a private investigator who uncovers a disturbing pattern of missing gay men in the city.
A Disturbing Encounter and the Search for Answers
Tony, a man who frequented the same bars, recounts a chilling encounter with Brian Smart, who invites him to his mansion for drinks and a swim. The pool room is filled with mannequins, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Brian's behavior becomes increasingly strange, culminating in a near-fatal choking incident. Tony's account leads police to Fox Hollow Farms, the mansion owned by Herb and Julie Baumeister. Police suspect Herb's involvement in the disappearances, but face resistance from Hamilton County authorities who refuse to issue a search warrant.
Uncovering a Troubled Past
The episode explores Herb's troubled past, revealing a history of disturbing behavior and potential mental health issues. He displayed unusual tendencies as a child and was diagnosed with schizophrenia and multiple personalities. Despite his father's awareness of these issues, Herb received limited treatment. Herb marries Julia, a woman who shares his conservative views. They open a chain of thrift stores and purchase Fox Hollow Farms. Police note that the disappearances in Ohio cease after they acquire the property, suggesting a possible connection to the murders.
The Discovery of Bones and the Arrest
Police confront Julie, who initially refuses to cooperate but later remembers a strange incident where her son found a skull on their property, which Herb dismissed as an anatomy skeleton. Police conduct an infrared search of Fox Hollow Farms, but the bodies have been buried too long to detect heat. Julie, reflecting on the police's investigation, realizes that their family vacations coincided with the disappearances, suggesting Herb's involvement. With Julie's permission, police excavate the property and uncover 11 bodies. They finally convince Hamilton County authorities to arrest Herb, but he is found dead by suicide on July 4th, 1996. He leaves behind a suicide note that makes no mention of the murders.
Unanswered Questions and a Chilling Legacy
The episode concludes with a discussion of the impact of the case on Herb's family, who are left with unanswered questions and a lack of closure. The episode highlights the chilling nature of the crimes and the enduring mystery surrounding the missing heads.
Keywords
Serial Killer
An individual who commits two or more murders, typically with a cooling-off period between each killing. Serial killers often exhibit a pattern of behavior, including a specific victim type, method of killing, and disposal of the body.
Homosexual Homicide
A murder specifically targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation. This term is often used to describe crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the hate-motivated nature of the violence.
Fox Hollow Farms
The million-dollar estate owned by Herb and Julie Baumeister, where the bodies of Herb's victims were discovered. The property became a focal point of the investigation and a symbol of the horrific crimes committed by Herb.
Schizophrenia
A chronic mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and negative symptoms. Schizophrenia can significantly impact an individual's ability to function in daily life and may be associated with increased risk of violence.
Multiple Personalities
A psychological condition known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), where an individual experiences two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each personality may have its own unique thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Infrared Search
A technique used to detect heat signatures, often employed in law enforcement investigations to locate bodies or other objects. Infrared cameras capture heat radiation emitted by objects, allowing investigators to identify areas of interest.
Suicide Note
A written message left behind by an individual who has taken their own life. Suicide notes can provide insights into the individual's motivations, thoughts, and feelings leading up to their death.
Q&A
What was the initial obstacle faced by Roger's family in reporting his disappearance?
In 1993, there was a 30-day waiting period before police could investigate a missing person case, which delayed the investigation into Roger's disappearance.
What was the most disturbing detail about Brian Smart's home that Tony encountered?
The pool room at Brian Smart's mansion was filled with mannequins dressed up and posed as if they were attending a party, creating a creepy and unsettling atmosphere.
Why did Hamilton County authorities initially refuse to issue a search warrant for Fox Hollow Farms?
They considered the information provided by Tony, the sole witness, to be unreliable and were hesitant to infringe on Herb Baumeister's rights as an \"upstanding businessman\" in the community.
What was the significance of the discovery of bones on Fox Hollow Farms?
The discovery of bones on the property confirmed police suspicions that Herb Baumeister was responsible for the murders. It also revealed the extent of his crimes, as 11 bodies were ultimately recovered.
What unanswered questions remain about the case of Herb Baumeister?
The whereabouts of the victims' heads remain a mystery, and there is speculation that there may be more victims yet to be discovered. The lack of a confession from Herb leaves his family with a sense of uncertainty and a lack of closure.
Show Notes
This episode was originally released on 03-04-2018, and is one of sixteen episodes from the archives we'll be bringing you every Thursday now through end of year... for good reason! ;) We highly recommend you listen to each episode between now and end of 2024, and follow us on Instagram @crimejunkiepodcast so you're the first to know what's coming next! <3
In the late '90s, Indianapolis was rocked when it was found out that a local businessman was murdering gay men and burying them on his estate called Fox Hollow Farm.
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The part when she say's . Oh my God the bones became pop up as wacamole" 😂😂 was really funny. But at the same time creepy story of serial killer. As You well know all killers are psycopaths