Behind The Story With Chuck Tuck

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Violence is never the answer nor should it be glorified. 

H.H. Holmes, born Herman Webster Mudgett on May 16, 1861, is often considered one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. He is believed to have killed at least nine people, although some estimates suggest his victim count could be as high as 200.

Early Life and Career

H.H. Holmes was born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, and grew up in a devout Methodist family. He was said to be a smart child who excelled in school, but also displayed a tendency towards mischief and deception.

After graduating from high school in 1878, Holmes enrolled at the University of Vermont to study medicine. He later transferred to the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in medicine in 1884.

During his time in medical school, Holmes began engaging in various criminal activities. He would steal cadavers from the school's laboratory and use them to collect insurance money by staging fake accidents. He also stole money from his landlady and engaged in various acts of fraud.

After graduating from medical school, Holmes moved to Chicago and took a job as a pharmacist. He soon began working as a medical doctor, and in 1886 he purchased a pharmacy in the city's Englewood neighborhood.

Murders and Castle

It was during his time in Englewood that Holmes began his killing spree. He is believed to have killed his first victim, a pharmacist named Dr. E.S. Holton, in 1886. Holmes took over Holton's practice after his death, and it was from there that he began luring in his victims.

Holmes would often hire young women to work in his pharmacy, and then trap them in soundproof rooms in his "Castle" - a large, labyrinthine building he had constructed in 1892. The Castle had a number of secret passages and rooms, including a gas chamber, crematorium, and a surgical suite.

Holmes would often kill his victims by suffocating them with gas or poison, and then dispose of their bodies by burning them in the Castle's crematorium or dismembering them and selling their skeletons to medical schools.

Capture and Execution

In 1894, Holmes was finally caught and arrested for insurance fraud. During his trial, evidence of his other crimes began to emerge, and he was eventually charged with nine counts of murder.

Holmes was convicted and sentenced to death, and he was executed by hanging on May 7, 1896. His last words were reportedly "Take care of my wife."

Legacy

H.H. Holmes remains a fascinating figure in American history, both for his gruesome crimes and his enigmatic personality. He was known for his charm and charisma, which he used to manipulate and deceive his victims, as well as his intelligence and ingenuity in building his Castle.

Holmes has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and films, including the bestselling book "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. His story continues to captivate the public, and his legacy as one of America's most notorious serial killers is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

This episode was put together using ChatGPT AI

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