The World’s Fair in Chicago brought in extraordinary depth to the United States. The atmosphere was filled with magic, madness, heaven—even sin. As the World’s Fair showcased prosperity and affluence, it concealed gruesome secrets of the United States’ first known serial killer: H.H. Holmes. With an estimated 200 murders, Holmes claimed his victims without causing any suspicion, and without any apparent motive. Although Holmes’ motives were never clarified, it is evident that he possessed three goals prominent among a most serial killers: personal satisfaction, utmost power, and financial gain.
Dealing with the criminally insane, it is often hard to get a direct motive for their actions. A common motive among most serial killers, satisfaction …show more content…
A charismatic, young man, Holmes was able to gain his pleasure by luring in the masses and exerting control over them. He loved “playing God” in people’s lives because it gave him an enormous influence over them. When one of his lovers, Julia, found out she was pregnant, Holmes told her, “he would marry her only if she agreed to allow him to execute a simple abortion” (Larson 146). When she agreed, Holmes used chloroform to kill her and eventually her daughter. This brutal situation demonstrated the control Holmes could exert over his victims because of his oratory and appearance. While this impacted others, it also gave Holmes the satisfaction he needed. Although Holmes was seemingly ordinary, he secretly enjoyed seeing others in pain. To indulge in his sadistic tendencies, Holmes had the World’s Fair Hotel built. Built with numerous secret, tortuous features, this hotel was dubbed “The Murder Castle” by historians. Through “The Murder Castle”, Holmes was able to get the gratification he craved by killing others. After locking Anna Williams in his vault, he sat outside and listened intently. According to Larson, “This was the time he [Holmes] most craved. It brought him a period of sexual release… for hours” (296). Not only did the World’s Fair Hotel provide the opportunity for Holmes’ sadistic “sexual release”, it also provided the supply of people for it. The hotel’s secret amenities allowed …show more content…
Holmes’. There are not many options to obtain money through killing. One way of doing this is killing a person and selling and stealing their possessions. The “Bloody Benders” are famously known for this. In Kanas, they ran an inn, secretly killing guests. They would “advertise Kate’s [their daughter] spiritualism gifts in an attempt to elicit visitors” (Gibson 14) to gain their income. After murdering their guests, they would steal their valuables to sell. Stealing combined with providing “healing” services allowed the Benders to make enough money for them to be able to live comfortably. Taking out insurance policies is a popular way of making money by killing. When examining these cases, insurance money motives tend to be more prevalent among women murderers, who kill their husbands for the money. Serial killer Belle Gunness lured people in with glistening promises and complimentary remarks. As she grew closer with people, she became urgent on the subject of their finances. Once she gained control of insurance policies and possessions, she brutally slaughtered them. According to Ramlands, a professor of forensic psychology, this technique is prominent among killers of this type. He says, “Gunness’ belaboring of the money theme is a technique called seeding […] used in hypnosis” (Hartzell). This technique is similar to the Holmes used to influence his
Dealing with the criminally insane, it is often hard to get a direct motive for their actions. A common motive among most serial killers, satisfaction …show more content…
A charismatic, young man, Holmes was able to gain his pleasure by luring in the masses and exerting control over them. He loved “playing God” in people’s lives because it gave him an enormous influence over them. When one of his lovers, Julia, found out she was pregnant, Holmes told her, “he would marry her only if she agreed to allow him to execute a simple abortion” (Larson 146). When she agreed, Holmes used chloroform to kill her and eventually her daughter. This brutal situation demonstrated the control Holmes could exert over his victims because of his oratory and appearance. While this impacted others, it also gave Holmes the satisfaction he needed. Although Holmes was seemingly ordinary, he secretly enjoyed seeing others in pain. To indulge in his sadistic tendencies, Holmes had the World’s Fair Hotel built. Built with numerous secret, tortuous features, this hotel was dubbed “The Murder Castle” by historians. Through “The Murder Castle”, Holmes was able to get the gratification he craved by killing others. After locking Anna Williams in his vault, he sat outside and listened intently. According to Larson, “This was the time he [Holmes] most craved. It brought him a period of sexual release… for hours” (296). Not only did the World’s Fair Hotel provide the opportunity for Holmes’ sadistic “sexual release”, it also provided the supply of people for it. The hotel’s secret amenities allowed …show more content…
Holmes’. There are not many options to obtain money through killing. One way of doing this is killing a person and selling and stealing their possessions. The “Bloody Benders” are famously known for this. In Kanas, they ran an inn, secretly killing guests. They would “advertise Kate’s [their daughter] spiritualism gifts in an attempt to elicit visitors” (Gibson 14) to gain their income. After murdering their guests, they would steal their valuables to sell. Stealing combined with providing “healing” services allowed the Benders to make enough money for them to be able to live comfortably. Taking out insurance policies is a popular way of making money by killing. When examining these cases, insurance money motives tend to be more prevalent among women murderers, who kill their husbands for the money. Serial killer Belle Gunness lured people in with glistening promises and complimentary remarks. As she grew closer with people, she became urgent on the subject of their finances. Once she gained control of insurance policies and possessions, she brutally slaughtered them. According to Ramlands, a professor of forensic psychology, this technique is prominent among killers of this type. He says, “Gunness’ belaboring of the money theme is a technique called seeding […] used in hypnosis” (Hartzell). This technique is similar to the Holmes used to influence his