WESTFIELD, IN—The dark legacy of Herb Baumeister, a businessman turned serial killer, continues to unfold nearly three decades after his death. Authorities have recently identified more victims among the thousands of human remains discovered on his Indiana property.
Baumeister’s Fox Hollow Farm, located in Westfield, was raided in 1996, revealing a gruesome trove of approximately 10,000 human remains, predominantly crushed and burned skeletal fragments. These remains are from teenage boys and young men Baumeister abducted and murdered during the 1980s and 90s.
The Hamilton County Coroner's office announced last month the positive identification of Jeffrey A. Jones, who went missing in 1993, as one of Baumeister’s victims. Jones is the third victim identified in recent months, following Allen Livingston and Manuel Resendez. There are still four unidentified DNA profiles found on the property, suggesting the number of Baumeister’s victims could rise to at least 12.
“Because many of the remains were found burnt and crushed, this investigation is extremely challenging; however, the team of law enforcement and forensic specialists working the case remain committed,” said Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison.
Baumeister, who moved to the farmstead in 1988 with his family, used his sprawling property to conceal the remains. The horrifying discovery began when his teenage son found a human skull, prompting Baumeister’s wife to eventually allow law enforcement to search the premises despite her initial resistance.
Baumeister targeted young gay men, using the alias “Brian Smart” to lure his victims from bars. His killing spree came to an end in 1996 when he fled to Ontario, Canada, and committed suicide before he could be arrested.
The coroner’s office, along with the FBI, Indiana State Police Laboratory, and DNA experts from Texas-based Othram Lab, are working to identify the remaining victims. The extensive effort involves piecing together thousands of fragments and utilizing advanced forensic techniques.
As the investigation continues, Baumeister’s horrifying legacy serves as a grim reminder of the atrocities hidden behind a facade of normalcy, further emphasizing the importance of meticulous forensic and investigative work in bringing justice to the victims and closure to their families.
