Indianapolis, IN – Decades after the discovery of thousands of human remains on the property of a suspected serial killer, investigators are working to identify the victims. A renewed effort is underway, leveraging DNA analysis and community assistance to determine the identities of at least 17 unidentified individuals.
The case involves Herbert Baumeister, a thrift store owner who committed suicide in 1996 before authorities could question him. Authorities believe he lured and murdered at least 25 men between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s, burying their bodies on his 18-acre property.
Initial efforts to identify victims, which concluded in the late 1990s, identified eight individuals, but the subsequent cessation of testing left a significant portion of the victims unidentified. Crucially, a key component of the renewed investigation relies on obtaining DNA samples from relatives of missing men from the 1980s and 1990s, which can be compared to DNA extracted from the remains.
The ongoing investigation is spearheaded by Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison, along with the Indiana State Police, FBI, and the University of Indianapolis' Human Identification Center. Scientists are meticulously working to extract and analyze DNA from the remains.
This renewed pursuit is partly fueled by a family connection. Eric Pranger, motivated by the desire to solve the mystery for his aunt, and the belief that his missing cousin, Allen Livingston, might be among the victims, spurred the revival of the investigation.
In October 2023, investigators announced the identification of Allen Livingston, bringing closure to his family after thirty years. A memorial honoring the nine confirmed victims, including Livingston, was dedicated in August 2024.
Currently, about 40 DNA samples have been submitted from people who believe missing relatives might have been victims, aiding the ongoing identification process. The effort, however, is projected to take several years due to the challenging condition of the remains. Some bones are severely degraded, hindering the extraction of usable DNA.
The identification campaign will hopefully continue to bring closure and honor to the victims' families, while raising awareness of the ongoing effort to determine the fate of the unidentified remains. Families of missing men from the 1980s and 1990s who suspect possible involvement in the case are encouraged to contact the relevant authorities.
