22. H. H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer and his Murder Castle (...?)

22. H. H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer and his Murder Castle (...?)

From Historically Bad by Historically Bad

April 29, 2024 · 1h 7m

About this episode

This episode explores the life and crimes of H. H. Holmes, America's first serial killer, and the myths surrounding his infamous Murder Castle.

H. H. Holmes was an American serial killer and con artist who operated in the early 1890’s and is most well known for luring victims to his “Murder Castle”, a hotel that he built to accommodate guests during the Chicago World’s Fair 1893. A published floor plan of the “Murder Castle” revealed secret torture chambers, trapdoors, gas chambers, and a crematorium in the basement. Though the “Beast of Chicago” only confessed to 27 murders, some reports attribute up to 200 deaths to him between 1886-1894. But how much of what we know about H. H. Holmes was true? Did this so called “Murder Castle” even exist? Today on historically bad we will deep dive into the story of America’s very first serial killer, and how his reign of terror was sensationalized by the media following a shoddy police investigation that left room for speculation by tabloids. Keep up to date on all things Historically Bad incuding details of our LIVE SHOW on June 1st! Instagram: ⁠⁠ @historicallybadpodcast ⁠⁠ Website: ⁠⁠www.historicallybadpodcast.ca⁠⁠ Patreon: ⁠⁠www.patreon.com/HistoricallyBadPatreon⁠ Contact us: admin@historicallybadpodcast.ca Buy some stickers!: https://historically-bad-podcast.square.site/…

People in this episode

Hosts: Tabitha Festa, Carly Sullivan

Topics covered

  • serial killer
  • true crime
  • historical investigation
  • media sensationalism
  • Chicago history

Keywords

  • H. H. Holmes
  • Murder Castle
  • serial killer
  • Chicago World’s Fair
  • true crime

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chicago World’s Fair

Places: Murder Castle

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