The chilling mystery of Fox Hollow Farm continues to unravel. What began with a disturbing discovery in 1994 has now led to the identification of more victims of the notorious serial killer, Herb Baumeister. A bone found by Baumeister’s 13-year-old son in the woods of their $1 million estate started it all. The teen showed it to his mother, who found more bones nearby. That set off a series of events that would reveal one of the most gruesome serial killer cases in U.S. history.
Baumeister’s double life
In 1996, authorities launched a full investigation into the sprawling property in Westfield, Indiana, finding hundreds of human bones. Within months, they identified the remains of eight victims using dental records and the limited DNA technology of the time. Baumeister, a seemingly respectable businessman with two successful thrift stores, had been luring young gay and bisexual men to his home. Once there, he would murder them, leaving their burned remains scattered around the property.
Baumeister’s double life shocked the community. Known as a family man, he would hunt for victims while his wife and children were away. But after fleeing to Canada, he died by suicide in 1996, leaving behind a suicide note that failed to mention his heinous crimes.
The search for more victims
Despite his death, the search for more victims continued. Investigators believed there could be up to 25 victims. Yet, for 25 years, the bones sat untouched at the University of Indianapolis’s Anthropology and Archaeology Department, waiting for the right team to take action.
A new investigation kicks off
That team finally arrived in 2022. Led by Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison, the new investigation has become one of the largest in U.S. history. Over 10,000 bone fragments remain unidentified, but investigators are confident that more victims are waiting to be named.
“This is the second-largest investigation into unidentified human remains in U.S. history, second only to 9/11,” says Jellison.
The search is ongoing, but significant progress has been made. Two additional victims have already been identified, and a third is nearly ready to be named. The process of identifying remains is lengthy, but DNA testing is proving to be crucial.
“DNA is the key,” Jellison explains. “But it’s not a quick fix. It takes time.”
Currently, the team is working through the 10,000 remains, carefully selecting which ones to test for DNA. Not every bone fragment is viable, as many were burned and crushed, making DNA extraction a challenge. But with advancements in technology, what couldn’t be done yesterday may be possible tomorrow.
A breakthrough in identifying victims
The investigation has already led to significant breakthroughs. In 2023, Allen Livingston, the first victim identified in the new investigation, was confirmed to be one of Baumeister’s victims. Livingston’s family had long suspected his disappearance was linked to the serial killer. The discovery provided the family with much-needed closure after nearly 30 years of uncertainty.
“This investigation started because of Allen Livingston’s family,” Jellison says. “It was their call that got the ball rolling.“
Since then, around 40 people have submitted DNA samples in hopes of identifying their missing loved ones. Two of these submissions led to matches, though not with the Fox Hollow Farm victims. One family learned that their missing relative’s remains had been found in Las Vegas, not at Baumeister’s estate.
While DNA matching has been key, the process is slow. Experts in forensic genetic genealogy are scouring DNA databases for familial matches. Meanwhile, DNA profiles are also being entered into the national law enforcement database, CODIS, to see if matches can be made with living relatives.
But there are challenges. “We are in a race against time,” says Jellison. “The longer it takes, the harder it is to track down family members. Some have passed away. Others have moved far away.“
Jellison’s team is working tirelessly, but the investigation is complex. It may take up to 60 years to complete, given the number of remains and the time it takes to test them.
Despite the challenges, Jellison remains committed. “We’re not going to stop,” he insists. “This is a huge effort, but we’re determined to identify every victim and bring closure to the families.”
The case of Herb Baumeister has shocked the nation for decades, and now, decades later, the fight to identify his victims is still going strong. For anyone with missing family members, Jellison urges them to come forward.
