Indiana Authorities Utilize DNA Technology to Identify Victims of Infamous Serial Killer Herb Baumeister

Indiana law enforcement officials are intensifying efforts to identify victims of the notorious serial killer Herb Baumeister, whose macabre activities in the 1990s left a chilling legacy. Baumeister buried at least 25 victims on his Westfield estate, known as Fox Hollow Farm, where over 10,000 human bones and fragments were unearthed.

Baumeister's crimes came to light in 1994 when his son discovered a human skull on the property. The case gained national attention when further investigations led to the discovery of additional remains. Facing mounting evidence, Baumeister took his own life in Canada shortly after the police’s initial findings.

Recently, Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison has spearheaded a renewed initiative to identify Baumeister's presumed victims using advanced DNA technology, including genetic genealogy methods. The investigation seeks DNA samples from relatives of men who disappeared between the 1980s and 1990s. So far, approximately 40 samples have been submitted.

In 2022, the coroner's office reported that the remains could belong to at least 25 victims. Two victims have been identified through this renewed effort, including Jeffrey Jones, reported missing in 1993. Another victim, Allen Livingston, was identified in October 2023, providing closure to some families still seeking answers from the past.

Authorities encourage relatives of missing males during the relevant period to provide DNA samples to assist in this ongoing investigation, which aims to bring justice and closure to the families of the victims.