More than 10,000 human remains identified after being discovered on suspected serial killer's farm

Authorities in Indiana are working to identify more than 10,000 remains found on a property belonging to a suspected serial killer.

Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison announced the latest identification in the case this week, decades after authorities began recovering human bones from the 18-acre Fox Hollow Farm in Westfield.

The first discoveries were made in 1996, after Herb Baumeister, a successful businessman and married father of three, moved into the property with his family in 1988.

Over the next few years, Baumeister is believed to have lured young men to his house and murdered them.

In 1994, Baumeister's 15-year-old son discovered a human skull in the woods behind the house, around the same time that police began searching for a serial killer targeting gay men.

Baumeister's wife, Julie, confronted her husband about the discovery, and he initially claimed it must have come from his father's medical office, according to detectives.

The human remains were discovered on the farm where Baumeister lived. (WTHR)

However, after filing for divorce in 1996, Julie had police search the property and they discovered a skull, teeth and other bone fragments, which ultimately led to the discovery of more than 10 000 fragments or pieces of “burned and crushed” bones belonging to the victims.

Police issued a warrant for Baumeister's arrest, but he fled to Ontario and committed suicide before he could be charged with a crime.

Police estimate the remains found at the farm represent at least 25 victims.

The last identified victim is Jeffrey A. Jones, who went missing in 1993.

His identification comes as improvements in DNA technology have prompted increased efforts to identify more victims.

This effort is a collaboration between the FBI, the Indiana State Police Laboratory, Dr. Krista Latham of the University of Indianapolis Department of Biology and Anthropology, and DNA experts from the Othram laboratory based in Texas.

Herb Baumeister died before he could be charged. (WTHR)

So far, a total of three identifications have been made in the past six months, and four more DNA profiles have been sent to the FBI in hopes of being identified.

Allen Livingston, who disappeared in August 1993, and Manuel Resendez, who disappeared in 1996, were identified in December and January, respectively.

Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison commented, “Given that many remains were found burned and crushed, this investigation is extremely difficult; However, the team of law enforcement and forensic specialists working on the case remains engaged. »

Indiana Police and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office are urging anyone who knows of a missing person from this time period to contact the coroner's office.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Joos Mind/FaceBook/Hamilton County Coroner's Office

Topics: Crime, Police, American News, Science