Decades after the discovery of thousands of human bones and bone fragments on a suspected Indiana serial killer's property, a new team is working diligently to solve the mystery of who these individuals were. The remains were found on Herbert Baumeister's property in Westfield, Indiana, starting in 1996. Baumeister, a thrift store owner, was believed to have lured men to his home, where he killed and buried them.
Efforts to identify the victims were initially made in the late 1990s, resulting in the identification of eight men using dental records and available DNA technologies. However, the identification process was halted, leaving at least 17 individuals unidentified. A renewed quest is now underway to identify these victims by obtaining DNA samples from relatives of men who went missing between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s.
The identification effort, led by Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison, has already yielded results. DNA samples provided by relatives have led to the identification of a ninth victim, Allen Livingston. This breakthrough has brought some closure to Livingston's family, who had long suspected his involvement in the case.
Currently, about 40 DNA samples have been submitted by individuals who believe their missing male relatives may have been victims of Baumeister. The team is working to extract DNA profiles from the remains and match them with the provided samples to identify more victims.
The identification process is expected to take several more years due to the condition of the bones. Some of the remains are in poor shape, making it challenging to extract usable DNA. However, efforts are ongoing to honor the victims by identifying and interring their remains at a memorial in Westfield.
As the investigation continues, families of missing men are encouraged to provide DNA reference samples to aid in the identification process. The ultimate goal is to bring closure to the families of the victims and ensure that these individuals are properly honored and remembered.
