This blog post contains affiliate links for products we believe you’ll love. So, if you purchase from one of these links, we may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualifying purchases!

Sharing is caring!

I’ve been absolutely captivated by the chilling story of Herbert Baumeister and the terrifying discoveries at Fox Hollow Farm lately. You know me, I’ve always been a true crime fan, but this tale of secrets, grisly findings, and a twisted mind truly took my breath away.

The True Story of Herbert Baumeister and the Disturbing Horror at Fox Hollow Farm

Herbert Baumeister was a successful businessman, family man, and a prolific serial killer who preyed on young men.

The Fox Hollow Farm, located in Hamilton County, Indiana, was his hunting ground. Baumeister lured his victims to the farm, where he would torture and kill them before burying their remains on the property. The true story of Herbert Baumeister and the disturbing horror at Fox Hollow Farm is a chilling tale of murder, deception, and the search for justice.

Baumeister’s killing spree began in the late 1980s and continued until 1996. During this time, he is believed to have killed at least 11 men, though some sources suggest the number could be higher. He was known as the “I-70 Strangler” because many of his victims were found along the Interstate 70 corridor. Baumeister’s crimes went undetected for years, despite the fact that he was a suspect in several missing person cases.

The investigation into Baumeister’s crimes began in 1994 when a man named Tony Harris reported that he had been held captive and tortured at Fox Hollow Farm. Harris managed to escape and went to the police, but they were initially skeptical of his story. It wasn’t until 1996, when the remains of several young men were found on the property, that the truth about Baumeister’s crimes was finally revealed.

Early Life of Herbert Baumeister

Herbert Richard Baumeister was born on April 7, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the eldest of four children born to Herbert and Elizabeth Baumeister. His father was a successful anesthesiologist, while his mother was a homemaker.

Baumeister grew up in Westfield, a wealthy suburb of Indianapolis. He attended local schools and was described as an intelligent but aloof child. As he entered adolescence, he began to exhibit odd behaviors, including a fascination with death and a tendency to collect animal bones.

Despite these early warning signs, Baumeister excelled academically and went on to attend Indiana University. There, he studied business and met his future wife, Julie. The couple married in 1971 and eventually had three children together.

After graduating from college, Baumeister worked in several different jobs, including as a copywriter and a thrift store manager. In 1985, he and his family moved to a sprawling estate in Westfield, which he named “Fox Hollow Farm.”

It was at Fox Hollow Farm that Baumeister’s dark side began to emerge. Over the course of several years, he began to pick up male hitchhikers and bring them back to his property, where he would sexually assault and murder them. The bodies were buried on the grounds of the estate, and it wasn’t until 1996 that the gruesome truth was finally uncovered.

Marriage and Family Life

Herbert Baumeister married Juliana Saiter in November 1971, and the couple had three children together. However, according to Saiter, they were sexually intimate only six times in over twenty-five years of marriage. She also claimed that she never saw her husband nude.

Baumeister’s father, Herbert Baumeister Sr., was a successful anesthesiologist, and his mother, Elizabeth, was a homemaker. He was the first of the couple’s four children and spent his early years in Westfield, a well-to-do suburb just north of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Baumeister’s family life was seemingly normal, but later in life, he struggled with his sexuality and had a secret life as a gay man. It’s unclear if his family was aware of his double life.

Overall, Baumeister’s marriage and family life appeared to be unremarkable, but it’s possible that his struggles with his sexuality and secret life as a gay man may have contributed to his disturbing crimes.

Establishing Sav-a-Lot

In 1988, Herbert Baumeister co-founded Sav-a-Lot, a thrift store chain that sold second-hand items. The first store was located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it quickly expanded to 16 stores across the state. Baumeister was known for his business acumen and was credited with the success of the chain.

Sav-a-Lot was a popular destination for bargain hunters, and it was known for its low prices. The stores sold a wide variety of items, including clothing, furniture, appliances, and electronics. The chain also had a reputation for being a good place to find unique and unusual items.

Baumeister was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations of the chain, and he was known for his attention to detail. He was also known for being a demanding boss, and he expected his employees to work hard and meet his high standards.

Despite its success, Sav-a-Lot eventually ran into financial trouble, and in 1996, the chain filed for bankruptcy. Baumeister left the company shortly before the bankruptcy filing, and it is unclear what role he played in the downfall of the chain.

Overall, Baumeister’s involvement in Sav-a-Lot was a significant part of his life, and it was one of the few areas where he was known for his success. However, it is important to note that his success in business does not excuse the horrific crimes he committed and the lives he took.

Unsettling Behavior

Herbert Baumeister was known to have displayed some unsettling behavior in his early life. As a child, he was said to have been fascinated with dead animals and would often collect and dissect them. He was also known to have a volatile temper and would lash out at those around him.

As he grew older, his behavior only became more concerning. He was known to have a fascination with bondage and would often engage in risky sexual behavior. He was also known to have a violent streak and would physically assault those who crossed him.

Baumeister’s behavior continued to escalate as he got older, and he eventually began to exhibit signs of being a serial killer. He would lure young men to his home, where he would sexually assault and murder them. He then buried their bodies on his property at Fox Hollow Farm.

The disturbing behavior exhibited by Herbert Baumeister is a sobering reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind seemingly normal facades. It serves as a warning to always be vigilant and aware of those around us, as we never know what someone may be capable of.

Investigation Begins

In 1988, an anonymous tip led the authorities to Fox Hollow Farm, the 18-acre estate owned by Herb Baumeister. The tipster claimed that Baumeister had killed a young man on his property.

The police searched the property, but they did not find any evidence of a crime. They did, however, find several skulls and bones scattered throughout the woods. Baumeister claimed that he had purchased the bones from a medical supply company for use in his business.

Despite the discovery of the bones, the authorities did not have enough evidence to charge Baumeister with a crime. It wasn’t until 1996, when a man named Tony Harris came forward and claimed that he had been lured to Fox Hollow Farm by Baumeister and had narrowly escaped being killed, that the investigation gained momentum.

The police searched the property again, this time with cadaver dogs. They found the remains of 11 men buried on the property. The remains were badly decomposed, and it was difficult to determine the cause of death for each victim.

Baumeister fled to Canada when the investigation began, but he was eventually located and committed suicide before he could be brought to trial. The investigation into the murders at Fox Hollow Farm was one of the largest and most complex in Indiana’s history.

Evidence at Fox Hollow Farm

Fox Hollow Farm was the site where Herbert Baumeister committed his heinous crimes. After the discovery of the first body in 1994, investigators began to search the property for more evidence. The search yielded eight more bodies, all of which were buried on the property.

The remains of the victims were found in various states of decomposition, some of which were partially buried. The victims were all young men, many of whom were gay, and were last seen at gay bars in the Indianapolis area. The bodies were found in shallow graves, some of which were covered with leaves and other debris.

In addition to the bodies, investigators also found various items of evidence on the property. These included handcuffs, a gun, and a plastic bag containing a wig. The handcuffs were consistent with the type used by police, and the gun was later found to have been used in some of the murders.

Investigators also found evidence of animal cruelty on the property. They discovered the remains of several animals, including a horse, which had been left to decompose in a field. The horse had been shot in the head, and its body was left to rot in the field.

Overall, the evidence found at Fox Hollow Farm was overwhelming, and it left little doubt that Herbert Baumeister was responsible for the murders. The discovery of the remains and the other evidence on the property was a chilling reminder of the horrors that had taken place there.

Victims Identified

Herbert Baumeister was suspected of killing at least 11 men in the ’80s and ’90s, and most of his victims were young men who frequented gay bars in Indianapolis. The remains of several of his victims were found buried on his property, Fox Hollow Farm, in Hamilton County, Indiana.

Over three decades after the killings, the Hamilton County Coroner has identified the remains of a ninth victim believed slain by Baumeister at Fox Hollow Farm. Allen Livingston, of Indianapolis, who went missing in 1993, was identified through DNA analysis of remains found on the property.

Baumeister’s other victims included Roger Goodlet, who disappeared in 1988, and Richard Hamilton, who disappeared in 1993. Their remains were also found on the property.

Baumeister’s killing spree came to an end in 1996 when he was confronted by police in Canada. He fled back to the United States and committed suicide before he could be arrested and brought to trial.

The investigation into Baumeister’s crimes was one of the largest in Indiana’s history, and his case has been the subject of many documentaries, crime shows, and paranormal shows.

Baumeister’s Escape and Suicide

Baumeister’s crimes were eventually discovered, and he became a prime suspect in the murders of several men. However, before he could be apprehended, he fled to Ontario, Canada. He was eventually found by police in a hotel room in Ontario, where he had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

Baumeister’s suicide prevented investigators from questioning him about the murders he had committed. However, it is believed that he killed at least 11 men, and possibly more. Some of his victims were found buried on his property at Fox Hollow Farm, while others were found in nearby locations.

Baumeister’s suicide also left many questions unanswered about his motivations and methods. Some have speculated that he was motivated by a desire for power and control, while others believe that he may have been suffering from a mental illness. Regardless of his motivations, Baumeister’s crimes remain a chilling reminder of the dangers that can lurk in even the most seemingly ordinary places.

Aftermath and Legacy

After the discovery of the remains of 11 men on the Fox Hollow Farm, the community was left in shock. The news of Herbert Baumeister’s heinous crimes spread quickly, and the media coverage was extensive. The case was covered in several books, documentaries, and TV shows, including an episode of “Forensic Files” and “A&E Biography.”

The victims’ families were devastated by the loss of their loved ones and were left with many unanswered questions. The discovery of the remains also raised concerns about the safety of online dating and the potential dangers of meeting strangers.

The Fox Hollow Farm was eventually sold to a new owner who demolished the house and built a new one in its place. However, the legacy of the notorious serial killer still lingers, and the property is still referred to as the “Horror House” by locals.

Baumeister’s wife and children were left to deal with the aftermath of his crimes. His wife, Julie, filed for divorce after the discovery of the remains on their property. She later changed her name and moved out of state with their children to start a new life.

In conclusion, the legacy of Herbert Baumeister and the disturbing horror at Fox Hollow Farm will forever be remembered as one of the most heinous crimes in Indiana’s history. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and cautious when meeting strangers and the devastating consequences of one person’s actions.

Fox Hollow Farm Today

Fox Hollow Farm, located in Westfield, Indiana, was once the site of a gruesome killing spree carried out by Herbert Baumeister. Today, the property has been sold and is privately owned. The current owners have made efforts to distance themselves from the history of the property and have declined to comment on the events that occurred there.

Despite the property changing hands, the legacy of the murders still haunts the area. Some locals report strange occurrences and eerie feelings when passing by the property. The farm has become a popular destination for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers, with rumors of paranormal activity and sightings of apparitions.

In recent years, the property has been the subject of several documentaries and true crime shows, bringing renewed attention to the horrific events that took place there. While the property may have changed hands, the memory of the victims and the horror of what occurred at Fox Hollow Farm will never be forgotten.