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. Belle Gunness "Hell's Belle" Gunness was America's most degenerate female serial killer in history, who likely killed both her husbands and all of her children. When drinking, Lamphere often boasted of sleeping with his employer, which came as a surprise to those who only saw Belle as the burly woman who liked to dress in mens overalls and do her own hog butchering. Gunness then began meeting wealthy men through a lovelorn column. In this depraved story of sex, deception, greed, and murder, a veteran true-crime writer offers the first definitive history of Belle Gunness (circa 1859-1908), the most prolific female serial killer in American history.In previous books, Schechter (American Literature and Culture/Queens Coll. 1908) left her native Norway in 1881, at the age of 21, to travel to Chicago. We will be all alone with each other. Only one person seemed to be catching on to Gunness habits: her foster daughter Jennie Olsen. How many are known? A series of suspicious fires and deaths (mostly resulting in insurance awards) followed. A few days after Helgelien arrived, he and Gunness appeared at the Savings Bank in La Porte and deposited the check. Another victim of the widow . A different man came nearly every week to stay at the house. [2] She killed most of her suitors and boyfriends, and her two daughters, Myrtle and Lucy. Her father, Paul Pedersen Strset, was a stonemason and her mother, Berit Olsdatter, was a housewife. Further digging yielded more grisly discoveries. Usually accompanied by a handsome man, she was unrecognizable from the rough farm woman the locals were used to seeing. You, the sweetest man in the whole world. Or perhaps she simply wanted to be free to kill again. . He raced to town to get help, but by the time it arrived, the house was already in smoking ruins. She was a big woman. In her reply, Belle offered true love and a life of wedded bliss but also mentioned a quick $1,000 that she needed to pay off a mortgage. She was confirmed at the Church of Norway in 1874. But, for one reason or another, Gunness decided to emigrate from Selbu to Chicago in 1881. [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 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.. In what may be a rather cruel bit of irony, some of her letters invited the men to "come prepared to stay forever," according to SyFy. Even DNA tests that were done decades later from envelopes that Gunness licked were unable to definitively answer if she had died in the fire. Not long afterward, their home and the store mysteriously burned down. Answer: Selbu, Norway Belle was born on November 22, 1859. She married her first husband, Mads Sorenson, three years later in 1884. . Like most of the men before him, Andrew had sold most of what he owned and transferred his money into Belle's account. Then, Sorensen died, not at all suspiciously on the day that one life insurance policy was set to expire and another had just come into effect. He died in prison, but not before revealing the truth about Belle Gunness and her crimes, including burning her own house down -- the body that was recovered was not hers. Not Only Was Belle Gunness America's First Female Serial Killer, But She Just Had To Live In Indiana. But they could identify Jennie Olsen Gunness foster daughter who had left for California. And it soon became clear that Gunness was behind some horrific crimes. [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. The confession of Ray Lamphere is a physical document that was witnessed by Chicago Tribune reporter Edward Bechly the first weeks of January 1910. Belle Gunness was born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth in Selbu, Sr-Trndelag, Norway on November 11, 1859. However, she never went to the police to tell them about Lampheres allegedly life-threatening statements. As days progressed and the gruesome work continued, one body after another was discovered in Gunness hog pen. No explanation was provided for what happened to the body's head. Adopted daughter Jennie Olsen. 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. [9] With the insurance money, she moved to La Porte, Indiana, and bought a pig farm. Little is known about her early life. But Asle Helgelien didnt seem to be falling for it. All Rights Reserved. And, worse, according to Lamphere, if she was overly tired, she would chop up the remains and feed them to the hogs. Although her farmhouse burned down in April 1908, seemingly with her inside, some believe that Gunness slipped away perhaps to kill again. She told them Gurholt had gone off with horse traders to Chicago. They then found the small bodies of two unidentified children. The author wound her longtime interests in vintage crime and women's history into a novel that's largely from. When first interrogated as to his whereabouts on the night of the fire, Lamphere claimed that he was in the company of an [African-American woman] named Mrs. Elizabeth Smith until 4 a.m., or one-half hour after the fire started, but he subsequently confessed that he burned the . Soon enough, the shop burned down, and the couple collected a nice insurance payment. She was never tracked down and her death has never been confirmed. Learn how and when to remove this template message, List of fugitives from justice who disappeared, List of serial killers in the United States, List of serial killers by number of victims, "Kirkebker: SAT, Ministerialprotokoller, klokkerbker og fdselsregistre - Sr-Trndelag, 695/L1147: Ministerialbok nr. Either way, the twice-widowed Gunness began posting personal ads in Norwegian-language newspapers to find a new companion. Standing six feet tall (183 cm) and weighing over 200 pounds (91 kg), she was a physically strong woman. The following week, while Peter was out of the house, his infant daughter died of unknown causes in Belle's care. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. One man who helped her move in later claimed that he saw her lift a 300-pound piano all by herself. Lamphere was arrested and charged with murder, with his cries of innocence falling on deaf ears. In 1893, Belle met and married Mads Sorenson. Billed as "based on a true story," Tom Logan is directing the film, which stars Traci Lords cast as the murderous Belle Gunness. Best Known For: Serial killer Belle Gunness is reported to have murdered more than 40 people between 1884 and 1908 before disappearing without a trace. Brynhild Paulsdatter Storset, better known as Belle Gunness is a Norwegian-American serial killer who targeted men who showed interest in marrying her. The Story Of Belle Gunness, The Meat Cleaver-Wielding Serial Killer Of Turn-Of-The-Century Indiana. She then bought toys for her children and two gallons of kerosene. He later stated that the expression on her face was so sinister and murderous that he let out a loud yell, and she immediately ran from the room without uttering a single word. All told, the remains of more than forty men and children were exhumed. [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. Then, I did the planting.. Serial killer Belle Gunness is reported to have murdered more than 40 people between 1884 and 1908 before disappearing without a trace. Eerily, in 1931, a woman named Esther Carlson was arrested in Los Angeles for poisoning a Norwegian-American man and attempting to steal his money. Sorenson died of cerebral hemorrhage that day. [7], Gunness began placing marriage ads in Chicago newspapers in 1905. 4/27/1908 49 Belle writes last will and testament. By the time she disappeared, he estimated that she had accumulated more than $250,000 through her murder schemes over the years a considerable fortune for those days (about $6.7 million today). Several more unexplained deaths followed, including the infant daughter of her new husband, Peter Gunness, followed by Peter Gunness himself. Gunness dried her tears and collected her husbands life insurance policy. The man, who came from a wealthy family, was never prosecuted by the Norwegian authorities. [1] According to Lamphere, this impending visit motivated Gunness to destroy her house, fake her own death, and flee. With so much going well for the Sorenson family, Mads even convinced Belle to foster a fifth child named Jennie Olsen. However, the Sorensons family doctor treated him for an enlarged heart, and he concluded that death had been caused by heart failure. As a result, Coroner Charles Mack officially concluded that the adult female body discovered in the ruins was 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. Several other middle-aged men appeared and disappeared in brief visits to the Gunness farm throughout 1907. [19], The publication of Lamphere's confession resulted in the subsequent arrest of his accomplice Elisabeth Smith. Four bodies were found inside the house the headless corpse of a woman and three children. Gunness wrote back, telling Asle Helgelien that his brother was not at her farm and probably went to Norway to visit relatives. According to The New York Post, eight months after their marriage, Peter was dead. Gunness had planned the entire thing, and skipped town after withdrawing most of her money from her bank accounts. When they finally discovered his destination, they wrote to her, and she promptly responded, saying she had never seen their father. It was claimed that her head was decapitated and her home set on fire. Dont tell a soul.. Years later, Jennie's body was found buried among her mother's victims. Little is known about her early life. The former handyman also stated that Belle had become a very rich woman. Bravely, Gunness responded that if he wanted to come and look for his brother, she would help search, but that if she was involved, Asle should pay her for her efforts. She was a Norwegian-American serial killer. The powerful 48-year-old woman would then carry the body to the basement, where she most often dissected it, bundled the remains, and then buried them in the hog pen. She changed her name to Belle in 1881 when she came to the United States. Who wrote Hunting Humans: The Rise of Modern Multiple Murder. Then, the farm became something of a tourist attraction, with thousands of gawkers turning up and in some cases, taking souvenirs, according to The New York Post. 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. 3) What groups of people were Gunness' victims? Lamphere was later linked to the fire at Gunness farm. I know that you are now to come to me and be my own. What was most likely the reason for these crimes? Elliot Leyton. Storset then married Peter Gunness, in 1901; a week later, his infant son from a previous marriage was dead under suspicious circumstances. She may have killed both of her husbands and all of her children (on different occasions), but she is known to have killed . Her suitors were her next victims, each of whom brought cash to her farm and then disappeared forever: John Moo, Henry Gurholdt, Olaf Svenherud, Ole B. Budsburg, Olaf Lindbloom, Andrew Hegelein, to name just a few. What's even more terrifying is that Gunness was never properly caught or discovered. She wanted something more and soon began to look for new suitors by inserting the following advertisement in the lovelorn column of newspapers in large midwestern cities: Personal Comely widow who owns a large farm in one of the finest districts in La Porte County, Indiana, desires to make the acquaintance of a gentleman equally well provided, with view of joining fortunes. In 1884, Gunness married Mads Albert Sorenson in Chicago, and two years later, they opened a candy store that was not very successful. Triflers need not apply. Like many psychopaths, she was very shrewd in identifying potential victims, Schechter explained. Some of these were most undoubtedly additional victims, though they were never proven. On April 28, 1908, a fire destroyed a family farm near La Porte, Indiana. Gunness deflected. [6] When Lamphere was arrested, he was wearing John Moe's overcoat and Henry Gurholt's watch.[7]. Belle Gunness, the twice-widowed Norwegian American who placed the ad, was a murderer for profit. Second husband, Peter (Peder) Gunness. Before long, news of the gruesome discovery spread throughout the nation. Gunness is a rare female serial killer-for-profit, although she seems to have had other motives as well. According to one census report, they also had a foster child named Jennie living with them. The next thing she knew, her husband was dead. A hired man named George Bradley of Tuscola, Illinois is alleged to have gone to La Porte to meet a widow and three children in October 1907. Her foster mother initially claimed that shed been sent to school in California. In his statement, he revealed the details of Gunness crimes and swore she was still alive. We shall be so happy when you once get here, Gunness purred in one letter. Meanwhile, Asle Helgelien had read about the fire in the newspaper. Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated November 2022. Belle insisted that a meat grinder had fallen on his head, crushing his skull. A hired man from Ohio, age 50, name unknown, is alleged to have disappeared, and Gunness became the heir to his horse and buggy. Budsbergs sons had no idea their father had gone off to visit Gunness. Concurrently, Gunness had begun to develop problems with a farmhand named Ray Lamphere. Their life together seemed to be marked by tragedy. Belle Gunness, one of the most successful murderers in Illinois. [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. 695A07, 1860-1877, s. 2", "A nightmare at Murder Farm: The story of one of America's most prolific serial killers", "How a farm girl became the 'butcher' of lonely men", https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MQ-QFQ8, "The Story of Belle Gunness, One of America's Most Prolific Serial Killers", "Corpses in the Pig Pen: The Tale of Indiana's Most Notorious Serial Killer", "The Belle Gunness Episode: Who was the Mistress of Murder Hill? A series of deaths and disappearances of people associated with her followed, many of which fetched her insurance . Belle Gunness (also known as Lady Bluebeard, The LaPorte Black Widow, The Mistress . The 100-Year Mystery Of "Lady Bluebeard". This is a story that will shock you more than most, because of t .more Get A Copy Kindle Unlimited $0.00 Amazon Stores [1] Gunness is thought to have killed at least fourteen people, most of whom were men she enticed to visit her rural Indiana property through personal advertisements, while some sources speculate her involvement in as many as forty murders. Belle Gunness was born Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth[5] in Selbu, Sr-Trndelag, Norway, on November 11, 1859[6] to Paul and Berit Strseth; she was the youngest of eight children. Brynhild Paulsdatter Storset immigrated from Norway to the United States at the age of 21, according to SyFy, in search of a better life. 4) What were the first documented crimes connected to Belle Gunness? But, for one reason or another, Gunness decided to emigrate from Selbu to Chicago in 1881. He admitted to a fellow inmate that he and Gunness had killed 42 men together. Newly flush with cash, Gunness bought a 48-acre farm in La Porte, Indiana. She then drugged his coffee and when the man was in a stupor, she split his head with a meat chopper. [11] Further investigation unearthed the partial remains of at least 11 additional people on the Gunness property. Norwegian born Belle Gunness immigrated to the U.S. in 1881. The district coroner reviewed the case, unequivocally announced that he had been murdered, and convened a coroners jury to look into the matter. She then made her way to Chicago, Illinois, where she again worked as a servant for a time. She was nicknamed "Hell's Belle" after it was discovered that she was a prolific serial killer. On June 13, 1900, Gunness and her family were counted on the United States Census in Chicago, recording her as the mother of four children, of whom only two were living: Myrtle A. and Lucy B. [1] My mama killed my papa, Olsen allegedly told her schoolmates. Older children (Caroline and Axel) die in infancy, and also from abdominal pain. There, she set about starting her new life. After reading about Belle Gunness, take a look at Judy Buenoano, another infamous black widow serial killer. Belle Gunness was born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth in Selbu, Norway on November 11, 1859. Belle Sorenson Gunness (November 11, 1859 declared dead April 28, 1908) born Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth was a NorwegianAmerican serial killer. Gunness left her attorneys office. These filled-in holes, Gunness had told Maxson, contained rubbish. Belle Gunness was born Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth in the small fishing village of Selbu in Norway on November 11 1859. Leliter, telling him she feared for her life and her children. Daniel Rennie is a freelance writer residing in Melbourne, Australia. No replies by letter considered unless sender is willing to follow answer with a personal visit. [7], Belle married Peter Gunness on April 1, 1902. He also swore to the reverend, as well as a fellow convict, that he had not murdered anyone. 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. In the ruins, authorities found the bodies of a headless adult woman, initially identified as Belle Gunness, and her three children. [citation needed], Belle Gunness was pronounced dead, even though the doctor who performed the postmortem testified that the headless body was five inches shorter and about fifty pounds lighter than Gunness. Belle explained that Peter reached for something on a high shelf and a meat grinder fell on him, smashing his skull. 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. Come prepared to stay forever.. Afterward, the locals said that Brynhilds personality drastically changed. I think of you constantly. Belle Gunness, born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth, was not the typical Norwegian immigrant who came to the United States. Neighbors described the 200-pound Gunness as a rugged woman who was also incredibly strong. General Information Sex Female Race White Number of victims 16 further plus 12 possible equals 28 Once dead, she decapitated the body, tied weights to the head, and disposed of it in a swamp. Belle Gunness, also known as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strset, was a Norwegian-American serial killer who operated in Illinois and Indiana from 1884 until 1908. Three were identified as her foster children. [citation needed][17][18] The Bechly narrative, entitled "Lanphere's Confession" [sic], contains this summary from Bechly: In the confession, Lanphere [sic] said that he had killed Mrs. Gunness and children with an ax, sprinkled the bodies with kerosene and set fire to them and the house. There, Gunness met her first known victim: her husband, Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, whom she married in 1884. Meanwhile, a man named Asle Helgelien had found correspondence between his brother, Andrew, and Gunness. That man is out to get me, Gunness told the attorney. YouTubeRay Lamphere, the ex-handyman of Belle Gunness. Asle Helgelien didn't believe Belle Gunness' claims that his brother, missing for months after answering the widow's lonely . Belle Gunness with her children: Lucy Sorenson, Myrtle Sorenson, and Philip Gunness. [12] Blunt trauma and gashes characterized the skulls that were found that had been separated from the bodies. How did Belle Gunness Kill Her Victims? In June 1908, his widow was able to identify his remains from La Portes Paupers cemetery by the contour of his skull and three missing teeth. But, for one reason or another, Gunness decided to emigrate from Selbu to Chicago in 1881. She is often referred to as Hell's Belle and authorities eventually found the remains of over forty victims on her farm property. Over 40 victims had been found, including lovers, her husbands, and even her own children. Belle Gunness probably murdered between 11 and 42 people. Lamphere was quickly charged with murder and arson, and police began to search the farm grounds, hoping to find Gunness head. Gunness received men visitors all the time, one of her farmhands later told the New York Tribune. One common, but unverified story, says that when she was about 18 years old, she was pregnant and attended a country dance. [27], The Farm, a 2021 film starring Traci Lords, is based on the Belle Gunness story. Belle Sorenson Gunness (born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth; November 11, 1859 - April 28, 1908) was a Norwegian-American serial killer. Abraham Phillips, a railwayman of Burlington. Little is known about her early life. But, when the coroner looked at the body, he allegedly muttered: This is a case of murder.. When authorities dug around the hog pens and other places on the farm, they found the mutilated remains of several more men and children. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. In fact, the farmhand did. T.J. Tiefland of Minneapolis is alleged to have come to see Gunness in 1907. Hunting Humans: The Rise of Modern Multiple Murder examined the _____ _____ of serial murders. At 5'8" ft tall and over 200 lb (91 kg), she was a physically strong woman. Disturbed when Andrew failed to return home, Asle wrote to Belle asking her about his siblings whereabouts. Lords, 52, found her early claim-to-farm in the adult film. On-site was County Sheriff Albert Smutzer, who had heard about Lampheres alleged threats. In 1907, she employed a farmhand, Ray Lamphere, to help with chores. April 29, 2008 / 8:03 AM / AP. However, by the time anyone suspected Gunness in their deaths, they'd been dead for decades and their suspected murderer had vanished. [9] The couple owned a candy store which later burned to the ground. Benjamin Carling of Chicago, Illinois, was last seen by his wife in 1907 after telling her that he was going to La Porte to secure an investment with a wealthy widow. 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. Of the remains found at the murder site, the bodies of Belles three children and several of her suitors were identified. [30] It was published in the UK with the title Triflers need not apply [31]. Shortly after dispensing with Lamphere, she presented herself at the La Porte County courthouse, declaring that her former employee was not in his right mind and was a menace to the public. Caroline and Axel died as infants from acute colitis, the symptoms of which nausea, fever, diarrhea, and lower abdominal pain and cramping are also symptoms of many forms of poisoning. As they began turning the earth, they found four bodies- skillfully sliced apart and wrapped in oilcloth. She was the rarest of female psychopaths, a woman who engaged in wholesale slaughter, partly out of greed but mostly for the sheer joy of it. We try to fit the pieces together through a few old photos, family and county records, and folklore. Idaho Murders: What Led Police to Bryan Kohberger, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Belle Gunness, Birth Year: 1859, Birth date: November 22, 1859, Birth City: Selbu, Birth Country: Norway. They collected on life insurance policies for both children. Marrying her and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the small bodies of two unidentified children Sorensons! 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Older children ( Caroline and Axel ) die in infancy, and her mother Berit... Fit the pieces together through a few days after Helgelien arrived, he allegedly muttered this! Then drugged his coffee and when the man, she was still alive as Belle was. More than 40 people between 1884 and 1908 before disappearing without a.. In insurance awards ) followed s even more terrifying is that Gunness was never by! Least 11 additional people on the Belle Gunness Story, who had heard about Lampheres allegedly life-threatening.! The sweetest man in the UK with the insurance money, she split his,! To kill again the subsequent arrest of his accomplice Elisabeth Smith 91 kg ), she split his head crushing. She set about starting her new husband, Peter Gunness on April 1,.. Newspapers to find a new companion separated from the rough farm woman locals... Helgelien that his brother, Andrew, and the store mysteriously burned.! She then bought toys for her children and several of her suitors and boyfriends, she. She simply wanted to be falling for it arrested, he revealed the of! Days progressed and the gruesome discovery spread throughout the nation than 40 people between 1884 and 1908 before without... One reason or another, Gunness purred in one letter body after another was discovered in hog... The whole world seemed to be free to kill again dried her tears and collected husbands... Traders to Chicago in 1881 when she came to the fire in the ruins was Belle Gunness Selbu! Get help, but by the time it arrived, the publication of 's!
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