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Years after thousands of human remains were discovered on the property of suspected serial killer Herbert Baumeister in Indiana, efforts to identify these victims are gaining new momentum. The goal is to determine the identities of individuals who disappeared between the mid-1980s and the mid-1990s, and to connect them with their families.
A key element in these ongoing investigations involves obtaining DNA samples from relatives of missing men. By matching these familial samples with DNA extracted from the remains, investigators aim to unveil the identities of the deceased. The human bones and fragments were first discovered on Baumeister’s expansive Fox Hollow Farm in Westfield, Indiana, starting in 1996. Authorities at the time believed that as many as 25 individuals may have been buried on the site, given the staggering find of approximately 10,000 bones, coupled with handcuffs and shotgun shells.
Baumeister, a married father of three and thrift store owner, tragically ended his life in July 1996 in Canada—just as police were preparing to question him about the disappearances. This act closed off many potential leads that could have identified his victims.
Reports indicated that during periods when his family was away, Baumeister frequented gay bars, where he allegedly lured men to his home, ultimately leading to their deaths. In the late 1990s, law enforcement officials were able to confirm the identities of eight men using dental records and early DNA technology. However, efforts to identify additional victims ceased due to a lack of funding and resources, leaving many families without answers.
A Long-Overdue Investigation
As the years passed, the remains remained stored at the University of Indianapolis’ Human Identification Center. A pivotal moment came in late 2022 when Eric Pranger reached out to coroner Jeff Jellison via Facebook, motivated by his family’s belief that his cousin, Allen Livingston, was among the victims of Baumeister. Livingston had disappeared in August 1993 under suspicious circumstances.
Upon hearing Pranger’s request for assistance in identifying his cousin, the newly appointed coroner took action. He coordinated efforts with local law enforcement, the Indiana State Police, the FBI, and a specialized private company trained in forensic genetic genealogy.
Finding Closure for Families
In a controlled environment at the Indiana State Police Laboratory, scientists processed selected bone fragments from the remains, employing advanced techniques to extract viable DNA profiles. Nearly a year later, in October 2023, Jellison announced that Allen Livingston had been identified as the ninth victim linked to Baumeister. This revelation brought a significant measure of closure to Livingston’s family.
Sharon Livingston, Allen’s mother, found solace in the identification before passing away in November 2024. Pranger expressed a sense of responsibility for facilitating answers for his aunt, recognizing the broader implications of the identification initiative for numerous families still seeking closure.
The Search for Other Victims
As investigators continue their work, approximately 40 DNA samples have been submitted by relatives of other missing men who might also have been victims of Baumeister. Once processed, these samples will be entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) to assist in ongoing identification efforts.
To date, scientists have successfully extracted eight unique male DNA profiles, pushing the suspected count of Baumeister’s victims to 12. This includes a match for Allen Livingston, as well as four additional individuals initially identified in the 1990s: Jeffrey Jones, Manuel Resendez, Johnny Bayer, and Richard Hamilton.
The Investigation’s Start
The case broke into public attention in June 1996 when Baumeister’s son discovered a human skull near their residence. Following this shocking find during a tumultuous divorce between Baumeister and his wife, more remains started to surface, leading authorities to investigate the eerie circumstances surrounding the site.
Future Identification Efforts
Coroner Jellison, along with his partners, anticipates that their identification campaign may extend for several more years. Most of the bones collected are in poor condition, complicating their ability to yield usable DNA. Some fragments have been reserved for potential future testing as technology advances.
Amid these efforts, the notion of marginalized individuals comes to the forefront. Many of the victims may have been estranged from their families or faced societal rejection, complicating traditional avenues of identification. “These are individuals who were marginalized in life. And we just need to make sure that that’s not continuing in death as well,” noted Dr. Krista Latham, director of the Human Identification Center.
For families seeking to contribute to this identification initiative, both the Indiana State Police and the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office offer avenues to provide DNA samples. As remains are gradually identified, families have the option to have them cremated and memorialized at a site dedicated to victims linked to Baumeister. The memorial, established in August 2024, currently honors the nine identified victims, but space remains for future names as more identifications are made.
Shannon Doughty, the younger sister of Allen Livingston, reflected on the bittersweet nature of the closure provided by the identification process. “At least you know,” she remarked, capturing the complex emotions that accompany long-awaited answers to tragic fates.
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