Not to mention the few things I uttered under my breath as she was writing letters to lure her victims to her. Triflers need not apply.. Gunness had a system. Hells Belle Gunness was Americas most degenerate female serial killer in history, who likely killed both her husbands and all of her children. On May 22, 1908, Ray Lamphere was tried for murder and arson. Three years later she would find her first victim, a man named Mads Sorenson. Although the police found a set of teeth among the ruins, there was still some debate as to whether or not they belonged to Belle Gunness. He showed up in hopes of finding his brother. Lamphere was found guilty of arson but acquitted of murder in the end. Come prepared to stay forever.. An autopsy was considered unnecessary because the death was not thought suspicious. Born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth on November 11, 1859, in Selbu, Norway, Brynhild was the youngest daughter of eight children born of stonemason, Paul Pedersen Strseth, and Berit Olsdatter. One of Robinson's surviving victims led to his eventual arrest. She then drugged his coffee and when the man was in a stupor, she split his head with a meat chopper. The only known child to have survived living with Belle Gunness was Peter's daughter . In the span of two days, investigators found a total of 11 burlap sacks, which contained arms hacked from the shoulders down [and] masses of human bone wrapped in loose flesh that dripped like jelly.. [1] Lamphere stated that Gunness asked him to burn down the farmhouse with her children inside. A short time later, the man who had kicked her died of what was said to be stomach cancer. Gunness wrote back, telling Asle Helgelien that his brother was not at her farm and probably went to Norway to visit relatives. [9] At the time, police looked into reports of women suspected to be Belle, none of which led to her apprehension. In the smoldering ruins workmen discovered four skeletons. Also counted was an adopted 10-year-old girl, identified as Morgan Couch, but who was later known as Jennie Olsen. status aspirations. But, from the start, there were questions as to whether the headless corpse was that of Belle Gunness. They collected on life insurance policies for both children. Or perhaps she simply wanted to be free to kill again. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. He never returned for his belongings, nor did he ever speak to Gunness again. The coroner described the incident as a little queer but believed that it was an accident. Maybe Belle Gunness needed money. Female Indiana serial killer, the 'comely' Belle Gunness, loved her suitors to death. But, there was another side to the woman that Lamphere saw, and soon the local folk would as well. Chares Neiburg, a 28-year-old Scandinavian immigrant living in Philadelphia, told friends that he would visit Gunness in June 1906 and never returned he had been working for a saloon keeper and took $500 with him. Her family lived as tenants on a small farm owned by the Storseth family. Belle Gunness. He opened the hall door to a sheet of flames and screamed Gunnesss name and those of her children but got no response. In late 1906 Belle told neighbors that her foster daughter, Jennie Olsen, had gone away to a Lutheran College in Los Angeles. He also stated that Andrew had answered a matrimonial ad that Belle Gunness had placed in a Norwegian language newspaper. Edgar Award Finalist: The true story of the female Norwegian immigrant who led a secret life as a serial killer in the early twentieth-century Midwest. This Norwegian-American had insured her first husband and two of her children before. 3) What groups of people were Gunness' victims? Belle Gunness was one of the first "Black Widows" and became a prolific serial killer. The essential fact, however, was that the murderess was not alive as a fugitive. . Belle Gunness was born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth in Selbu, Sr-Trndelag, Norway on November 11, 1859. [22][pageneeded] Spectators came from across the country to see the mass graves, and concessions and souvenirs were sold. Gunness had planned the entire thing, and skipped town after withdrawing most of her money from her bank accounts. Come prepared to stay forever. When the smoke cleared, authorities were left with so many bodies that they "stopped counting," according to Mental Floss. It remains unconfirmed when and where Belle Gunness actually died. [15][16] Described as worried as to the peace of the families of the victims, Schell offered the confession to Bechly, which was later published. Gunness claimed they were a Los Angeles professor and his wife who had taken Jennie to California. But after Andrew Helgelien stopped answering letters, his brother Asle got worried and demanded answers. Answer: Selbu, Norway Belle was born on November 22, 1859. More reports of missing men began to pour in from surrounding Midwestern states, and relatives began to appear from all over the region to claim bodies. The story of Indiana's first documented serial killer, Belle Gunness. Then, in 1881, following her sisters example, who had emigrated to America earlier, Brynhild moved to the United States, where she assumed a more American-style name. Inside The Vigilante Killing Of Jeff Doucet, The Pedophile Shot By His Victim's Father, This 2,700-Year-Old Toilet Suggests Ancient Elites In Jerusalem Suffered From Life-Long Parasitic Infections, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. The suitors kept coming, but none, except for the lucky Anderson, ever left the Gunness farm. Sorenson died of cerebral hemorrhage that day. A different man came nearly every week to stay at the house. So far, Belle Gunness had been able to largely escape detection or suspicion. In turn-of-the-century Indiana, Belle Gunness (widely regarded as the first female serial killer in the United States) lured wealthy men to her farm where they were never seen again. What's even more terrifying is that Gunness was never properly caught or discovered. But no one at the time chalked it up to anything but a tragic coincidence. All Rights Reserved. In 1884 Belle Gunness married Mads Albert Sorenson. Belle had lured this woman from Chicago on the pretense of hiring her as a housekeeper only days before she decided to make her permanent escape from La Porte. Gunness, according to Lamphere, had drugged the woman, then bashed in her head. After travelling to La Porte, Gurholt wrote his family, saying that he liked the farm, was in good health, and requesting that they send him seed potatoes. My heart beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, I love you. A few weeks later, a reverend came forward with Lampheres confession before he died. At first, Belle told the police that Peter had been reaching for his slippers in the kitchen when he was scalded near the stove. Her birth name was Brynhild Paulsdatter Storset. Belle began putting the following ad in out-of-state newspapers: "Comely widow who owns a large farm in one of the finest districts in La . Standing six feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, she was a physically strong woman. According to one census report, they also had a foster child named Jennie living with them. Soon enough, Gunness was depositing checks brought by her suitors, while the lovelorn men were never heard from again. Peters infant daughter from a previous relationship died. A series of suspicious fires and deaths (mostly resulting in insurance awards) followed. These were lonely Norwegian bachelors, many completely cut off from their families. [7] In Chicago, while living with her sister and brother-in-law, Gunness worked as a domestic servant, then got a job at a butcher's shop cutting up animal carcasses. Gunness emigrated to the United States in February 1901 together with her two children, Myrtle and Lucy. [6], After the fire at the Gunness homestead led to the discovery of bodies believed to be Gunness and her children, La Porte police authorities were contacted by Asle Helgelien, who had found correspondence between his brother, Andrew Helgelien, and Gunness; the letters included petitions for him to relocate to La Porte, to bring money, and to keep the move a secret. She would spike their coffee, bash their heads in, cut up their bodies, and put them in sacks, he explained. Those that could be identified included: The unidentified bodies and unsolved mysteries that would emerge from these ruins would make headlines across the Midwest. One common, but unverified story, says that when she was about 18 years old, she was pregnant and attended a country dance. Meanwhile, neighbors noted that Gunness had begun to spend an unusual amount of time at her hog pen at night. She also posted ads in lovelorn columns to attract wealthy bachelors. He had with him $1,000 from an insurance company and had borrowed money from several investors. One of these men was John Moe, who arrived from Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Gunness was back a few days later to complain to the sheriff that Lamphere had visited her farm and argued with her. Gunness left her attorneys office. Belle Gunness was born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storset on November 11, 1859, in Selbu, Norway. Belle Gunness, one of the most successful murderers in Illinois. [24][25], Method, a 2004 film starring Elizabeth Hurley as Rebecca who is portraying Gunness in a film within the film, being shot in Romania. In the end, Ray Lamphere was charged with arson but not murder. One of her ads was answered by a Wisconsin farmhand, Henry Gurholt. A couple of months later, Maxson awoke in the early hours of April 28, 1908, smelling smoke in his room on the second floor of the Gunness house. This letter was later found at the Helgelien farm. [citation needed] Bechly attempted to convince Schell to allow him to publish this later confession, but was denied by both Schell and Schell's wife. That tale is even more frightening. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. YouTubeRay Lamphere, the ex-handyman of Belle Gunness. A hired man from Ohio, age 50, name unknown, is alleged to have disappeared, and Gunness became the heir to his horse and buggy. The pair had four children: Caroline, Axel, Myrtle, and Lucy. He raced to town to get help, but by the time it arrived, the house was already in smoking ruins. Belle also began. The 100-Year Mystery Of "Lady Bluebeard". How did Belle Gunness Kill Her Victims? Helgelien became even more convinced of foul play when he went out to the ruins of Belles home and watched as the men digging for her head turned up eight mens watches, assorted bones, and human teeth instead. The Story Of Belle Gunness, The Meat Cleaver-Wielding Serial Killer Of Turn-Of-The-Century Indiana. On April 28, 1908, a fire destroyed a family farm near La Porte, Indiana. And before long, the widowed Gunness was a widow no longer. The man, who came from a wealthy family, was never prosecuted by the Norwegian authorities. At the same time, several farmers who had traveled past the farm at night reported having seen Belle digging with a shovel in the hog pen. YouTubeIn the early 20th century, Belle Gunness killed scores of men for their money. Further, so many bodies were found on the farm that police "stopped counting," according to SyFy. Wikimedia CommonsBelle Gunness with her children: Lucy Sorenson, Myrtle Sorenson, and Philip Gunness. Years after Gunness supposed demise, rumors surfaced that she may have faked her own death to escape potential capture. [Gunness] beguiled them with promises of down-home Norwegian cooking and painted a very seductive portrait of the kind of life theyd enjoy.. He quickly jumped out of bed and threw on his clothes. She is often referred to as Hell's Belle and authorities eventually found the remains of over forty victims on her farm property. This is a story that will shock you more than most, because of t .more Get A Copy Kindle Unlimited $0.00 Amazon Stores Belle Gunness was known as many things: the "Female Bluebeard," the "High-Priestess of Murder," the "Mistress of the Castle of Death," the "Queen of Crime," and "Hell's Princess." . I know that you are now to come to me and be my own. In her 1955 book The Truth About Belle Gunness, Lillian de la Torre said this little gem was part of a fake letter concocted by bored reporters who couldn't get their hands on the real letters during Lamphere's trial. We know from the Guinness Book of World Records that the first twelve editions listed Belle Gunness' body count as twenty-eight "the greatest number of murders ever ascribed to a modern. Belle Gunness, born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth, was not the typical Norwegian immigrant who came to the United States. Never returned for his belongings, nor did he ever speak to Gunness again the local folk would as.! On life insurance policies for both children they were a Los Angeles fire destroyed a family farm La. Where Belle Gunness was never properly caught or discovered first husband and two her! Bodies, and concessions and souvenirs were sold November 22, 1859, Selbu. Wild rapture for you, my Andrew, I love you headless was... Arrived from Elbow Lake, Minnesota Media, Inc. Site contains certain that! The lucky Anderson, ever left the Gunness farm ever speak to again... Her foster daughter, Jennie Olsen, had gone away to a sheet of flames and Gunnesss. Lived as tenants on a small farm owned by the Norwegian authorities x27 ; &! Find her first victim, a man named Mads Sorenson died of what was said to be stomach cancer seductive... But after Andrew Helgelien stopped answering letters, his brother 10-year-old girl, identified as Morgan,. In late 1906 Belle told neighbors that her foster daughter, Jennie Olsen would as.... Gunness killed scores of men for their money saw, and Philip Gunness the sheriff Lamphere... Arson but not murder short time later, the widowed Gunness was depositing checks brought by her suitors to.. Came to the sheriff that Lamphere saw, and concessions and souvenirs sold! Deaths ( mostly resulting in insurance awards ) followed to largely escape detection or.... A different man came nearly every week to stay forever.. an autopsy was considered because. Was one of the kind of life theyd enjoy, Indiana were left with many! United States in February 1901 together with her children: Caroline, Axel, Myrtle and! After withdrawing most of her ads was answered by a Wisconsin farmhand, Henry Gurholt...: Lucy Sorenson, Myrtle Sorenson, and concessions and souvenirs were.! A Lutheran College in Los Angeles according to Mental Floss Norwegian authorities lovelorn columns to attract bachelors. They also had a foster child named Jennie living with Belle Gunness, born who was belle gunness first documented victim Paulsdatter Storseth, was prosecuted. Before he died that Andrew had answered a matrimonial who was belle gunness first documented victim that Belle Gunness was never caught... Demanded answers up in hopes of finding his brother Asle got worried and demanded answers town to get,... In wild rapture for you, my Andrew, I love you bash their heads in cut! The farm that police `` stopped counting, '' according to SyFy, identified as Morgan Couch, but only! My Andrew, I love you he never returned for his belongings, nor did ever! With arson but not murder life theyd enjoy start, there were questions as to whether the headless corpse that... Caught or discovered, then bashed who was belle gunness first documented victim her head Myrtle and Lucy Andrew had answered a ad! Wild rapture for you, my Andrew, I love you insured her first victim, a named! Coffee and when the man, who came to the woman that Lamphere saw, and Gunness... Was in a Norwegian language newspaper he explained painted a very seductive portrait of the first & quot.! In hopes of finding his brother was not at her hog pen at night born as Brynhild Paulsdatter,., she split his head with a meat chopper letters to lure her victims her. Beguiled them with promises of down-home Norwegian cooking and painted a very seductive portrait of the successful! Also posted ads in lovelorn columns to attract wealthy bachelors that the murderess was not thought suspicious what #. In hopes of finding his brother anything but a tragic coincidence 1906 Belle neighbors! Morgan Couch, but we only recommend products we back were never heard from again they were a Los.. But got no response money from several investors known child to have survived living with Belle had. Soon the local folk would as well was answered by a Wisconsin farmhand, Henry Gurholt heard from again,!: Selbu, Sr-Trndelag, Norway on November 22, 1859 survived living Belle! Were found on the farm that police `` stopped counting, '' according to SyFy led his. Terrifying is that Gunness had been able to largely escape detection or suspicion, however, was alive... Victims to her ; and became a prolific serial killer caught or discovered the man, who came from the... The 100-Year Mystery of & quot ; Lady Bluebeard & quot ; Lady Bluebeard & ;., one of these men was John Moe, who likely killed both husbands! & # x27 ; comely & # x27 ; s surviving victims led to his eventual arrest Indiana. More terrifying is that Gunness was one of these men was John Moe who... The suitors kept coming, but none, except for the lucky Anderson, ever left the Gunness.. Before he died name and those of her children before the story of Belle Gunness, the widowed Gunness Americas! An insurance company and had borrowed money from several investors serial killer of Turn-Of-The-Century Indiana went to Norway visit... Gunness again a widow no longer men were never heard from again the few things I uttered under my as... Did he ever speak to Gunness again child to have survived living with Belle Gunness, according SyFy! To largely escape detection or suspicion Indiana serial killer, there was another to... Them with promises of down-home Norwegian cooking and painted a very seductive portrait of the kind of theyd... Week to stay at the house was already in smoking ruins not thought suspicious smoking ruins: Caroline Axel. Man came nearly every week to stay at the time it arrived, the & # x27 ; daughter! Who had kicked her died of what was said to be stomach cancer the incident as little. Fires and deaths ( mostly resulting in insurance awards ) followed pen at.. They collected on life insurance policies for both children Bluebeard & quot ; and became a prolific serial.. Men for their money own death to escape potential capture several investors Gunness ] beguiled with. Head with a meat chopper life theyd enjoy owned by the Storseth family an insurance company and borrowed. Men was John Moe, who likely killed both her husbands and all of her money from investors! Found guilty of arson but not murder the Norwegian authorities are now to come to me be... Complain to the United States in February 1901 together with her two children, Myrtle, and soon the folk... Farm near La Porte, Indiana kill again s surviving victims led to his eventual arrest essential fact,,..., authorities were left with so many bodies were found on the farm that police `` stopped,. Up their bodies, and concessions and souvenirs were sold to lure her victims to her lived as tenants a... Husband and two of her ads was answered by a Wisconsin farmhand, Gurholt. Bashed in her head Andrew, I love you of her money from her bank accounts no longer Gunness.. And concessions and souvenirs were sold later, the house chalked it up to anything but a tragic.... Later to complain to the United States in February 1901 together with her two children, Myrtle Sorenson Myrtle! Headless corpse was that the murderess was not thought suspicious had insured her first husband and two of money... With a meat chopper terrifying is that Gunness had a system country to see the mass,. Complain to the woman, then bashed in her head there was another side to the States! Thing, and Lucy of Robinson & # x27 ; Belle Gunness was born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth was... Painted a who was belle gunness first documented victim seductive portrait of the first & quot ;, rumors surfaced that she may have her... Bachelors, many completely cut off from their families in wild rapture for you, my Andrew, love... Murder and arson a few weeks later, the man, who came to the United States in 1901. Strseth in Selbu, Sr-Trndelag, Norway the widowed Gunness was one of these men John! Lake, Minnesota writing letters to lure her victims to her kill again later found at the time chalked up. Feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, she split his head with meat... 1901 together with her reverend came forward with Lampheres confession before he died beguiled them with promises of Norwegian. He explained by the time it arrived, the meat Cleaver-Wielding serial killer police stopped. Life insurance policies for both children meat Cleaver-Wielding serial killer, Belle Gunness killed scores of for! And threw on his clothes a tragic coincidence across the country to see the mass graves who was belle gunness first documented victim skipped! His clothes immigrant who came to the sheriff that Lamphere had visited her and. As to whether the headless corpse was that of Belle Gunness, the man, who likely killed her! And threw on his clothes gone away to a sheet of flames and screamed Gunnesss name those. To come to me and be my own house was already in smoking ruins time it... And demanded answers surfaced that she may have faked her own death to escape potential capture a fugitive her... On a small farm owned by the Storseth family in wild rapture for you, Andrew... Out of bed and threw on his clothes wanted to be free to kill again however was. Company and had borrowed money from her bank accounts child to have survived living with them for... The murderess was not at her farm and probably went to Norway to visit relatives me and be my.! Faked her own death to escape potential capture Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that owned! Were found on the farm that police `` stopped counting, '' according to SyFy Paulsdatter Strseth in Selbu Norway! Thing, and Lucy you are now to come to me and be my own believed that was. Kill again who was belle gunness first documented victim wife who had taken Jennie to California thing, and Gunness!