H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer

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A serial killer can be described as an individual that kills over 3 people over a period of a few months usually based on the psychological state of mind. H.H Holmes, also known as being one of America’s first serial killers, was born in 1861 in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. He was a caucasian male and was an active serial killer between the years of 1893-1896. Even though the exact number of victims is unknown, it was said that he attracted many woman who he seduced. He would seduce and torture them in his famous “Murder Castle” in which he built when he moved to Chicago . In this building the upper floor would contain living spaces as if it was a hotel, but there was more than expected. Rooms contained gas jets as intentions to “asphyxiate…show more content…
When Holmes moved to Chicago and became a Pharmacist he began his series of murder. Holmes is known for building the famous “murder castle” which was a drugstore he had bought. When he bought it, he renovated it and finished approximately just in time for the 1893 World fair making it into a hotel. Even though it was advertised as a hotel, it was nothing near it. “All the rooms were windowless, with stairways to nowhere and hallways that ended in dead ends. Holmes also built gas jets into hotel-room walls, a wooden disposal chute and person-size kiln in the basement.” Holmes hotel was a perfect place to commit a murder. Holmes main target were “young women” he would seduce especially during the World Fair. After being caught with a multiple of other scams he committed, Holmes admitted to killing 27 people, but others still think there could be more body counts. Even though it is unknown the clear motive of why Holmes started the murders, He once stated that” I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than a poet can help the inspiration to sing.” Holmes can be be categorized as a visionary in the case of the devil being born in him. A visionary can be defined as believing they are another person or are compelled to murder by other forces. Holmes believed the devil drove him to his actions which made him the murderer he…show more content…
Holmes life of crime began when he would “make false insurance claim” when he was a student at the University of Michigan. When he moved to Chicago he decided to continue his criminal ways. Holmes continued to pursue in making false insurance claims leading him into his downfall of becoming caught as a prime suspect of so many murders. When Holmes committed to the false insurance claims he teamed up with “Benjamin Pitezel to collect $10,000 from a life insurance company.” Both men would travel the United States committing frauds, but eventually landed in jail in Texas. While in jail, Holmes would make alliances with other inmates telling them about the insurance schemes he ran. Holmes was known for making promises to theses inmates but never fully delivered his side of the promise. When Holmes failed to deliver his promises of money, inmates told authorities of his actions and plans. Even though Holmes was a prime suspect he continued to go through with his final murders. Holmes killed his partner Pitezel and was also “concerned that the five Pitezel children might expose him, he went away with three of the children, eventually killing them.” When Holmes went to trial at first it wasn’t about the murders but instead of the insurance fraud. “He later stood trial for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel”, where Holmes openly admitted to the police through stories of how he killed 27 people.
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