In the quiet, affluent suburb of Westfield, Indiana, Herbert Baumeister appeared to live a life of normalcy and success. A married father of three, Baumeister owned a sprawling 18-acre estate known as Fox Hollow Farm and operated a chain of thriving thrift stores. But beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic life lay a dark and horrifying secret. Baumeister was leading a double life as one of Indiana’s most prolific serial killers, targeting gay men, luring them to his home, and murdering them before burying their remains on his property.
Indianapolis Police Department
His crimes remained hidden for years—until his 13-year-old son made a chilling discovery that would unravel Baumeister’s deadly secret.
The story of Herb Baumeister and the Fox Hollow Farm murders is now the subject of a gripping four-part documentary series, The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer, produced by ABC News Studios and premiering on Hulu on February 18. The series delves into the investigation, the victims, and the ongoing efforts to identify the remains of those who fell prey to Baumeister’s heinous crimes.
The Discovery That Exposed a Serial Killer
Coroner’s Office Indiana
In 1994, Baumeister’s 13-year-old son stumbled upon a human skull and a pile of bones in the woods surrounding Fox Hollow Farm. The discovery was shocking, but Baumeister quickly dismissed it, claiming the bones were from a skeleton his late father, an anesthesiologist, had obtained during medical school. At the time, the explanation seemed plausible enough, and the incident was largely forgotten.
USA Today Network
However, two years later, in 1996, police returned to the property after Baumeister’s wife filed for divorce and reported strange behavior from her husband. What they found was beyond anyone’s imagination: thousands of human bones and bone fragments scattered across the estate. The remains were burned, crushed, and buried in shallow graves, making identification a daunting task.
Hulu
Baumeister, who had fled to Canada, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound before he could be arrested or questioned. His suicide left many questions unanswered, including the identities of his victims and the full extent of his crimes.
The Victims: A Trail of Tragedy
Darron Cummings / AP file
Baumeister’s victims were predominantly gay men whom he targeted at nightclubs in Indianapolis during the 1980s and 1990s. He lured them to his home under the pretense of socializing, only to murder them and dispose of their bodies on his property. It is believed that the remains of at least 25 individuals were buried at Fox Hollow Farm, though only eight victims were initially identified in the investigation. The case remained unsolved for years, as the disappearances of these men went unnoticed by many, and their families were left in agony, searching for answers.
ABC Studios
Among the identified victims were Jeffrey Jones, Manuel Resendez, Johnny Bayer, and Richard Hamilton. These men, like many others, had disappeared without a trace, leaving their families desperate for closure. It wasn’t until later that they learned their loved ones had fallen victim to a serial killer who had preyed on men in their community. The case of Baumeister serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable groups and the often-overlooked disappearances that can be tied to larger patterns of violence. The investigation into his crimes ultimately uncovered a tragic story of loss, deceit, and the search for justice.
The Renewed Investigation: A Quest for Justice
ABC NEWS
For decades, the case remained largely dormant, with the remains of Baumeister’s victims stored in boxes at the University of Indianapolis’ Human Identification Center. However, in 2022, Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison launched a renewed effort to identify the victims using advanced DNA technology and forensic genetic genealogy.
Screengrab/Wish tv
Jellison’s team, which includes the Indiana State Police, the FBI, and forensic experts, has been working tirelessly to extract DNA from the bone fragments and match them to missing persons. So far, they have identified three additional victims, bringing the total number of identified victims to 11. Among them is Allen Livingston, a 27-year-old man who vanished in 1993 and whose family had long suspected he was among Baumeister’s victims.
WTHR
The identification process is painstaking and complex. Many of the bones were burned and crushed, making it difficult to extract usable DNA. However, advances in forensic science have allowed investigators to make progress where previous efforts fell short. By comparing DNA samples from the remains to those provided by relatives of missing men, the team hopes to bring closure to more families.
The Role of DNA Technology in Solving Cold Cases
AP
The renewed investigation into the Fox Hollow Farm murders underscores the transformative impact of DNA technology in solving cold cases. In the 1990s, DNA profiling was still emerging, with testing costs and time constraints making it difficult to use in many investigations. However, today’s advancements in forensic science allow investigators to extract DNA from even highly degraded remains, utilizing genetic genealogy to identify both victims and perpetrators.
AP
The use of genetic genealogy has already proven its value in high-profile cases, such as the identification of the Golden State Killer and the I-65 Killer, where it led to groundbreaking breakthroughs. For Baumeister’s victims, DNA technology provides hope to the families who have long sought answers. After decades of uncertainty, the possibility of identifying more victims and bringing closure to grieving families is within reach.
AP
The success of genetic genealogy in these cases highlights its growing importance in modern criminal investigations and its potential to bring justice to victims of long-unsolved cimes. This innovative approach offers renewed optimism for cold cases, offering a path to resolution that was once unimaginable.
The Human Cost: Families Left in the Dark
AP
For the families of Baumeister’s victims, the pain of losing a loved one is deepened by the anguish of never knowing what truly happened to them. Many of the victims, marginalized in life due to their sexuality or estranged from their families, were often ignored or overlooked when they disappeared. Their cases went uninvestigated, leaving their loved ones in limbo, uncertain whether they would ever find the truth.
Sharon Livingston, the mother of Allen Livingston, embodies the relentless pursuit of answers. She spent nearly 30 years searching for her son, never giving up hope that one day she would learn his fate. In 2023, after decades of uncertainty, Allen’s remains were finally identified. Tragically, Sharon passed away later that same year, knowing what happened to her son but never seeing justice served. Her story is a heartbreaking testament to the enduring emotional toll of Baumeister’s crimes. It serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of such tragedies and emphasizes the importance of continuing the search for answers, even when closure seems elusive. The quest for justice remains ongoing, offering hope to other families who still await their own revelations.
The Documentary: Shedding Light on a Dark Chapter
cbsnews
The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer offers a comprehensive look at Baumeister’s crimes, the investigation, and the ongoing efforts to identify his victims. The series features interviews with survivors, investigators, and family members, as well as archival footage and reenactments that bring the story to life.
One of the most compelling aspects of the documentary is its focus on Mark Goodyear, a survivor who had a chilling encounter with Baumeister in the early 1990s. Goodyear, who met Baumeister at a gay bar in Indianapolis, narrowly escaped with his life after realizing that Baumeister was dangerous.
Noah Herron
His testimony played a crucial role in the investigation, helping police connect Baumeister to the disappearances of several men.
The documentary also explores the challenges faced by investigators, including missing evidence, potential accomplices, and the limitations of forensic science at the time. It raises important questions about how the case was handled and what could have been done differently to prevent further tragedies.
The Legacy of the Fox Hollow Murders
The Indianapolis Star
The Fox Hollow Farm murders are a stark reminder of the dangers faced by marginalized communities and the importance of taking missing persons cases seriously. Baumeister’s crimes went undetected for years, in part because his victims were often overlooked by law enforcement and society at large. By shining a light on these cases, investigators and advocates hope to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Rich Miller/IndyStar file
The renewed investigation into Baumeister’s crimes also underscores the importance of perseverance and innovation in solving cold cases. Advances in DNA technology and forensic science have opened new doors for investigators, offering hope for families who have waited decades for answers.
How You Can Help
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office is urging anyone with a missing male relative who disappeared between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s to come forward and provide a DNA sample. These samples can be compared to the DNA profiles extracted from the remains found at Fox Hollow Farm, potentially leading to more identifications.
The Indianapolis Star
If you believe a loved one may have been a victim of Herb Baumeister, you can contact the Indiana State Police missing persons hotline at 833-466-2653 or the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office at 317-770-4415. Your contribution could help bring closure to a family and ensure that the victims of this horrific case are not forgotten.
Conclusion: A Story of Tragedy and Hope
The story of Herb Baumeister and the Fox Hollow Farm murders is one of tragedy, but also of hope. Through the tireless efforts of investigators, forensic scientists, and advocates, the victims of this horrific case are finally being identified and remembered. Their stories serve as a reminder of the importance of justice, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of truth.
As the documentary The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer premieres on Hulu, it offers a chance to reflect on the lives lost and the lessons learned from this dark chapter in Indiana’s history. By honoring the victims and continuing the search for answers, we can ensure that their legacy is one of resilience and hope, rather than fear and despair.
