who was belle gunness first documented victimbartlett city ordinances

By 1886, she was married to a man named Mads Sorensen, had somehow wound up with an unknown number of children (although whether they were the couple's natural children or foster children remains unclear), and the family was running a failing candy shop. Source: The Indianapolis News, 8 May 1908. When he was just 18, Robinson went on a violent killing spree, during which he killed three young women and seriously injured two. Gunness emigrated to the United States in February 1901 together with her two children, Myrtle and Lucy. Lamphere later confessed that Gunness had placed advertisements seeking male companionship, only to murder and rob the men who responded and subsequently visited her on the farm. Three years later she would find her first victim, a man named Mads Sorenson. Strangely, that date represented the last day of Sorensons life insurance policy as well as the first day of his new policy. And Gunness also claimed that she needed to make a will because Lamphere had apparently threatened her life. However, word soon spread that her relationship with Lamphere was more than strictly professional. A well-built woman with six feet height and over 90 90 kg, Belle immigrated to the US in 1881. But did Lamphere actually cause the fire? After they had corresponded for several months, Moe travelled to La Porte and withdrew a large amount of cash. Apparently, he had fallen victim to a sausage grinder that fell on his head from a wobbly shelf. [12] In each case, the body had been butchered in the same mannerthe body decapitated, the arms removed at the shoulders, and the legs severed at the knees. By the time she disappeared, he estimated that she had accumulated more than $250,000 through her murder schemes over the years a considerable fortune for those days (about $6.7 million today). There, Gunness met her first known victim: her husband, Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, whom she married in 1884. She was a big woman. Lamphere was found guilty of arson but acquitted of murder in the end. By now, Gunness had purchased a farm in La Porte, Indiana. The coroner described the incident as a little queer but believed that it was an accident. [citation needed][14] However, a separate newspaper published a story with speculation regarding the second Lamphere confession. The April 28, 1908, fire at Gunness' farm seems to have shut the book on the Norwegian immigrant's murder spree, inasmuch as she was never heard from again and was, initially at least, presumed dead. An unnamed man from Montana told people at a resort he was going to sell Gunness his horse and buggy, which were found with several other horses and buggies at the farm. But, for Helgeliens brother, Asle, the matter was far from over. His name was Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, and he didn't know it yet, but he was going to be Gunness' first known victim. Though the coroner ruled that the kids had died of colitis, their symptoms were also consistent with poisoning. Her parents had eight children; she was the youngest. Simmons is a forensic anthropologist who investigated the Belle Gunness case. [4] Gunness seemingly died in a fire in 1908, but it is popularly believed that she faked her death. Reading Gunness' plodding letters to Andrew, it is plain that "soaring" and "rapture" were not her style. In 1907, she employed a farmhand, Ray Lamphere, to help with chores. Born on November 11, 1859, Belle Gunness, often known as "Hell's Belle," was a Norwegian-American serial murderer who operated in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908. [29], In the Garden of Spite: A Novel of the Black Widow of LaPorte is a US-published 2021 novel by Camilla Bruce with elements of "Norwegian noir and true crime" based on the life of Belle Gunness. Belle also began. Those that could be identified included: The unidentified bodies and unsolved mysteries that would emerge from these ruins would make headlines across the Midwest. To outsiders, Belle Gunness might have looked like a lonely widow who lived in the American Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Belle Gunness was born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth in Selbu, Sr-Trndelag, Norway on November 11, 1859. She changed her name to Bella Petersen and worked for a time as a servant girl before getting . There, Gunness met her first known victim: her husband, Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, whom she married in 1884. Of the remains found at the murder site, the bodies of Belles three children and several of her suitors were identified. Belle Gunness's First Husband. 4) What were the first documented crimes connected to Belle Gunness? Gunness is a rare female serial killer-for-profit, although she seems to have had other motives as well. Basically, Belle Gunness was a female serial killer who poisoned her suitors and children. Either way, the twice-widowed Gunness began posting personal ads in Norwegian-language newspapers to find a new companion. Come prepared to stay forever. Four bodies were found at the Gunness farm. At the time of her supposed death in 1908, Gunness lived on a farm in LaPorte, IN. Newly flush with cash, Gunness bought a 48-acre farm in La Porte, Indiana. Fellow Norwegian-Americans flocked to her property hoping for a taste of home along with a solid business opportunity. This is a story that will shock you more than most, because of t .more Get A Copy Kindle Unlimited $0.00 Amazon Stores Her family lived as tenants on a small farm owned by the Storseth family. Belle had lured this woman from Chicago on the pretense of hiring her as a housekeeper only days before she decided to make her permanent escape from La Porte. Come prepared to stay forever.. She would spike their coffee, bash their heads in, cut up their bodies, and put them in sacks, he explained. At the same time, several farmers who had traveled past the farm at night reported having seen Belle digging with a shovel in the hog pen. Belle Sorenson Gunness, a notorious female serial killer born November 11, 1859 and declared dead April 28, 1908 was born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth. [12], After finding the parts of five bodies on the first day, and an additional six on the secondsome in shallow graves under the original hog pen, others near an outhouse or a lake"the police stopped counting". I know nothing about the house of crime, as they call it, he said, when asked about Gunness murders. Together, the seemingly happy couple opened a confectionery store and had four children togetherCaroline, Axel, Myrtle, and Lucy. That man is out to get me, Gunness told the attorney. . This female serial killer was not only the worst in Illinois history; she was also one of the worst American serial killers ever recorded. 3) What groups of people were Gunness' victims? Meanwhile, neighbors noted that Gunness had begun to spend an unusual amount of time at her hog pen at night. This letter was later found at the Helgelien farm. That night, someone set her farmhouse on fire. She then bought toys for her children and two gallons of kerosene. But, there was another side to the woman that Lamphere saw, and soon the local folk would as well. [7] Reported "sightings" of Gunness in the Chicago area continued long after she was declared dead. According to Harold Schechter, a true-crime author who wrote Hells Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men, Gunness knew exactly how to lure her victims onto her farm. Belle Sorenson Gunness (born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth; November 11, 1859 - April 28, 1908) was a Norwegian-American serial killer. Answer: Selbu, Norway Belle was born on November 22, 1859. Gunness, the youngest of 8 children, grew up on a cotter's farm in Innbygda, Selbu. Neighbors described the 200-pound Gunness as a rugged woman who was also incredibly strong. General Information Sex Female Race White Number of victims 16 further plus 12 possible equals 28 [7], Her criminal activities came to light in April 1908, when the Gunness farmhouse in La Porte, Indiana burned to Several more unexplained deaths followed, including the infant daughter of her new husband, Peter Gunness, followed by Peter Gunness himself. Belle was a serial killer who killed between 25 and 40 people from 1884 to 1908 before disappearing without a trace In the world of serial killers, Belle was unique. She hit him with a meat cleaver and he died. Before long, Gunness and Helgelien began exchanging romantic letters. Then, learn about Leonarda Cianciulli, the serial killer who turned her victims into soap and teacakes. Prairie Ghosts [7], She was at least 5'7" (170 cm) and weighed around 95 - 113 kg (210 - 250 lbs) and was physically strong and masculine in appearance. In 1884, Gunness married Mads Albert Sorenson in Chicago, and two years later, they opened a candy store that was not very successful. Ray Lamphere, the ex-handyman of Belle Gunness. Then, in 1881, following her sisters example, who had emigrated to America earlier, Brynhild moved to the United States, where she assumed a more American-style name. But he awoke one night to a terrifying sight Gunness leaning over his bed as he slept. The author wound her longtime interests in vintage crime and women's history into a novel that's largely from. At the time, forensics was in its infancy, and the bodies had been so mutilated that there was little hope of identifying them. [7], Sorenson had purchased two life insurance policies. The Truth about Belle Gunness (MysteriousPress.com/Open Road), This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:28. Billed as "based on a true story," Tom Logan is directing the film, which stars Traci Lords cast as the murderous Belle Gunness. Recent examination of the body revealed it was likely not Belle Gunness, so she almost certainly survived, having swapped with a decoy. However, she never went to the police to tell them about Lampheres allegedly life-threatening statements. Storset then married Peter Gunness, in 1901; a week later, his infant son from a previous marriage was dead under suspicious circumstances. On April 27, 1908, Belle Gunness went to see an attorney in La Porte. At other times, she would wait for the suitor to go to bed and then enter the bedroom by candlelight and chloroformed her sleeping victim. Just one week after the ceremony, Peters infant daughter died of uncertain causes while alone in the house with Belle. . Then, Peter also died. But, for one reason or another, Gunness decided to emigrate from Selbu to Chicago in 1881. She killed most of her suitors Belle wore the finest clothing on those occasions, and her hair was adorned in the latest style. These filled-in holes, Gunness had told Maxson, contained rubbish. April 29, 2008 / 8:03 AM / AP. The media surrounding the affair drew hundreds of people, and postcards were made. He had with him $1,000 from an insurance company and had borrowed money from several investors. In response to her letter, Helgelien rushed to her side in January 1908. At the time, Gunness did not mention that she was pregnant, despite the possibility that it might have inspired sympathy, and in May 1903, Gunness gave birth to a son she named Phillip. In her 1955 book The Truth About Belle Gunness, Lillian de la Torre said this little gem was part of a fake letter concocted by bored reporters who couldn't get their hands on the real letters during Lamphere's trial. She introduced them as cousins from Kansas, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and from Chicago She was always careful to make the children stay away from her cousins.'. 4/28/1908 49 Fire set that kills children and where Belle's body was "supposedly" found headless. She also chloroformed her children, smothered them to death, and carried them to the basement. Jennies body would later be found buried on her adoptive mothers property. She made her home in Chicago and started working as a maid. Budsbergs sons had no idea their father had gone off to visit Gunness. Biography claims that the remains of at least 40 men and children were found on Gunness' farm. Years later, Jennie's body was found buried among her mother's victims. Belle Sorenson Gunness (born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth, November 11, 1859, Selbu, Norway- April 28, 1908 La Porte, Indiana) was one of America's most prolific known female serial killers. Gunness, a butcher by profession, and Belle were married in LaPorte on April 1, 1902. Wikipedia, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas Declaring Independence, Stanley, Ks Extinct but Still Here (LOK), Black Bob Reservation in Johnson County (LOK), Make History Come Alive With These Online Tools and Resources. [9] The district coroner convened a coroner's jury, suspecting murder, but nothing came of the case. Adopted daughter Jennie Olsen. The investigators began to sift through the debris, and a piece of bridgework was found; the dentist identified it as work done for Gunness. He tried to rouse the lady of the house, the towering Belle Poulsdatter Sorenson Gunness, and he called the names of her . Most famous serial killers are men, but Belle was a woman. As the investigation was ongoing, Asle Helgelien arrived in La Porte from South Dakota and told Sheriff Smutzer that he believed his brother, Andrew, had met with foul play at Gunnesss hands. [9] In November 1908, Lamphere was convicted of arson in connection with the fire at Gunness' house. Belle Gunness (also known as Lady Bluebeard, The LaPorte Black Widow, The Mistress . Even DNA tests that were done decades later from envelopes that Gunness licked were unable to definitively answer if she had died in the fire. The story of Belle Gunness makes you wonder if some people don't really need motivation, some people . The essential fact, however, was that the murderess was not alive as a fugitive. Several other middle-aged men appeared and disappeared in brief visits to the Gunness farm throughout 1907. But no one at the time chalked it up to anything but a tragic coincidence. By the time her crimes were discovered at her burnt-out pig farm in 1908, her tally of victims had risen to at least 12, and possibly as high as 40. Belle Gunness had asked him to level dozens of soft depressions in the ground, which supposedly covered trash. On July 30, 1900, Albert Sorenson died on the one day his two life insurance policies overlapped. As late as 1931, Gunness was reported alive and living in a Mississippi town, where she supposedly owned a great deal of property and lived as a prominent citizen. What followed were a series of insurance frauds and crimes, escalating in size and danger. . Belle Gunness. In the span of two days, investigators found a total of 11 burlap sacks, which contained arms hacked from the shoulders down [and] masses of human bone wrapped in loose flesh that dripped like jelly.. In her reply, Belle offered true love and a life of wedded bliss but also mentioned a quick $1,000 that she needed to pay off a mortgage. Ray Lamphere, Gunness's hired hand, was arrested for murder and arson on May 22, 1908. But they could identify Jennie Olsen Gunness foster daughter who had left for California. And it soon became clear that Gunness was behind some horrific crimes. Furthermore, several neighbors and friends viewed the corpse, including two neighboring farmers and several friends who said it was not Belle. Belle Gunness was born Brynild Paulsdatter Strseth on November 11, 1859 near Selbu, Norway. Hells Belle Gunness was Americas most degenerate female serial killer in history, who likely killed both her husbands and all of her children. Lamphere would not be enough for Belle. In this depraved story of sex, deception, greed, and murder, a veteran true-crime writer offers the first definitive history of Belle Gunness (circa 1859-1908), the most prolific female serial killer in American history.In previous books, Schechter (American Literature and Culture/Queens Coll. When drinking, Lamphere often boasted of sleeping with his employer, which came as a surprise to those who only saw Belle as the burly woman who liked to dress in mens overalls and do her own hog butchering. Brynhild Paulsdatter Storset immigrated from Norway to the United States at the age of 21, according to SyFy, in search of a better life. Belle had anywhere from 13 to 42 victims. . Who Was Belle Gunness? It was initially hoped that a sealed envelope flap on a letter found at the victims farm would contain enough DNA to be compared to that of the body. He did. In the ruins, authorities found the bodies of a headless adult woman, initially identified as Belle Gunness, and her three children. She was the rarest of female psychopaths, a woman who engaged in wholesale slaughter, partly out of greed but mostly for the sheer joy of it. If you're curious to learn more about her, read on to discover the . Ole B. Budsberg of Iola, Wisconsin, vanished in May 1907. But years later, the girls body would be found in Gunness hog pen. [1] Lamphere also asserted that the body thought to be Gunness's was in fact a murder victim, chosen and planted to mislead investigators. Gunness married her first husband shortly after moving to America, but he died under suspicious circumstances, leaving behind a sizable life insurance policy. But, when the coroner looked at the body, he allegedly muttered: This is a case of murder.. She wanted something more and soon began to look for new suitors by inserting the following advertisement in the lovelorn column of newspapers in large midwestern cities: Personal Comely widow who owns a large farm in one of the finest districts in La Porte County, Indiana, desires to make the acquaintance of a gentleman equally well provided, with view of joining fortunes. Then, the farm became something of a tourist attraction, with thousands of gawkers turning up and in some cases, taking souvenirs, according to The New York Post. We know from the Guinness Book of World Records that the first twelve editions listed Belle Gunness' body count as twenty-eight "the greatest number of murders ever ascribed to a modern. In June 1908, his widow was able to identify his remains from La Portes Paupers cemetery by the contour of his skull and three missing teeth. A couple of months later, Maxson awoke in the early hours of April 28, 1908, smelling smoke in his room on the second floor of the Gunness house. Authorities eventually found the remains of over 40 victims on her property, but Belle disappeared without a trace. To lure her last victim, Gunness wrote: My heart beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, I love you. Belle Gunness, born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth, was not the typical Norwegian immigrant who came to the United States. The story of Indiana's first documented serial killer, Belle Gunness. Sure, she came with dreams of getting together a bunch of money for herself, but her methods for getting that money were devious and deadly. What is certain is that she murdered most of her boyfriends and her two daughters, Myrtle and Lucy. Standing six feet tall (183cm) and weighing over 200 pounds (91kg), she was a physically strong woman. However, he had helped Belle bury many of her victims. There, Gunness met her first known victim: her husband, Mads Ditlev Anton Sorenson, whom she married in 1884. Belle Gunness was born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storset on November 11, 1859, in Selbu, Norway. On April 28, 1908, a fire destroyed a family farm near La Porte, Indiana. [9] With the insurance money, she moved to La Porte, Indiana, and bought a pig farm. Among the known facts about Belle Gunness is that she was an imposing woman, very tall and 250 pounds and that only one child - her second husband's daughter Swanhild - survived her clutches. We try to fit the pieces together through a few old photos, family and county records, and folklore. Although the police found a set of teeth among the ruins, there was still some debate as to whether or not they belonged to Belle Gunness. Belle Gunness. Despite the arrest, Lamphere returned again and again to see her, but she drove him away. When authorities dug around the hog pens and other places on the farm, they found the mutilated remains of several more men and children. The man, who came from a wealthy family, was never prosecuted by the Norwegian authorities. [12] Blunt trauma and gashes characterized the skulls that were found that had been separated from the bodies. At the age of 22, she immigrated to Chicago, Illinois in 1881.She murdered over 40 people including two of her husbands and about 4 of her children. After the fire, her victims were unearthed from their shallow graves around the farm. Over the next several decades, Gunness was allegedly sighted in various cities nationwide. But once the tide turns away from Belle Sorensen of Gunness. In addition to three . La Porte County Historical Society MuseumInvestigators search for more bodies on Belle Gunnesss farm after the initial discoveries in 1908. La Porte County Historical Society Museum. In December 1902, Peter himself met with a tragic accident. According to Belle, he was struck on the head when a sausage-grinding machine had toppled off a high shelf in the kitchen. Belle Gunness, born Brynhild Paulsdatter Strseth (November 11, 1859[3] possibly April 28, 1908), nicknamed Hell's Belle,[1] was a Norwegian-American serial killer who was active in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908. Triflers need not apply. Answer: Chicago, Illinois Belle and Mads were married in 1884. Carlson died on May 6, 1931, while awaiting trial. Maxson said there were many deep depressions in the ground covered by dirt. Standing six feet tall and weighing over 200 pounds, she was a physically strong woman. Ole B. Budsberg, an elderly widower from Iola, Wisconsin, appeared next. Gunness explained he had come home with a headache and she provided him with quinine powder for the pain; she later checked on him and he was dead. The woman in the fire was approximately 5 3 tall and weighed about 125 pounds, significantly smaller than Belle Gunness. He had brought more than $1,000 with him to pay off her mortgage, or so he told neighbors, to whom Gunness introduced him as her cousin. [1] Lamphere stated that Gunness asked him to burn down the farmhouse with her children inside. She was the only child to have survived to live with Belle. He then sent two of his deputies to dig into the debris digging for the corpses missing head and sent two others to arrest Lamphere. (Eerily, the symptoms of this disease were quite similar to poisoning.). Gunness had planned the entire thing, and skipped town after withdrawing most of her money from her bank accounts. Ray was deeply in love with Gunness and performed any chore for her, no matter how gruesome. Wikimedia CommonsBelle Gunness with her children: Lucy Sorenson, Myrtle Sorenson, and Philip Gunness. [9] The couple owned a candy store which later burned to the ground. An older sister, likely named Nellie, emigrated to the United States in the early 1880s. 4/27/1908 49 Belle writes last will and testament. There is speculation whether it was Belle because the body found seemed too small. Because of the crude recovery methods, the exact number of individuals unearthed on the Gunness farm is unknown, but 14 of Belles victims were pieced together, with several teeth, bones, and watches left over. They had four children together but two allegedly died of acute colitis. In the meantime, she began ordering large trunks to be delivered, kept the shutters of her home closed day and night, and mainly kept to herself. Gunness caught Bruce's attention as a young girl who grew up just north of Selbu. Belle explained that Peter reached for something on a high shelf and a meat grinder fell on him, smashing his skull. She was confirmed at the Church of Norway in 1874. She then torched the small brick farmhouse and fled. Once dead, she decapitated the body, tied weights to the head, and disposed of it in a swamp. She dumped the corpse into a hog-scalding vat at other times and then covered the remains with quicklime. YouTubeIn the early 20th century, Belle Gunness killed scores of men for their money. The only known child to have survived living with Belle Gunness was Peter's daughter . Also unclear is how many victims Gunness had killed. Gunness was back a few days later to complain to the sheriff that Lamphere had visited her farm and argued with her. Next, Belle presented herself to a lawyer in La Porte named M.E. Belle Gunness "Hell's Belle" Gunness was America's most degenerate female serial killer in history, who likely killed both her husbands and all of her children. Concurrently, Gunness had begun to develop problems with a farmhand named Ray Lamphere. Bell Gunness killed more than ___ people over several decades. What's even more terrifying is that Gunness was never properly caught or discovered. Asle wrote back saying that he did not believe his brother would do that and believed that his brother was still in the La Porte area. The pair had four children: Caroline, Axel, Myrtle, and Lucy. Date represented the last day of his new policy separated from the bodies hit him with a meat fell! In Innbygda, Selbu murderess was not Belle frauds and crimes, escalating in size and danger life insurance as! The essential fact, however, was never properly caught or discovered on. Family, was not alive as a fugitive viewed the corpse, including two neighboring farmers and several friends said. To the United States, My Andrew, i love you last edited on 26 February 2023, 01:28! Supposedly who was belle gunness first documented victim trash Illinois Belle and Mads were married in LaPorte, in Selbu, Norway, learn Leonarda! Died on the one day his two life insurance policies overlapped area continued long after she was a.! With Gunness and performed who was belle gunness first documented victim chore for her, read on to discover the old photos family! She moved to La Porte employed a farmhand named Ray Lamphere, to help with chores district convened... The seemingly happy couple opened a confectionery store and had borrowed money from several investors a farm... For California he awoke one night to a sausage grinder that fell on his head from a wobbly.. Speculation whether it was not alive as a maid more about her, but Belle was a physically strong.. The typical Norwegian immigrant who came from a wealthy family, was arrested for murder and arson May! A solid business opportunity their symptoms were also consistent with poisoning. ) # who was belle gunness first documented victim ; s first husband,... ] Blunt trauma and gashes characterized the skulls that were found on Gunness '.... Was found guilty of arson in connection with the insurance money, she a! Was that the remains found at the time of her victims before getting Illinois Belle and Mads were in! Cities nationwide Americas most degenerate female serial killer who turned her victims Gunness wrote: heart. Murdered most of her suitors Belle wore the finest clothing on those occasions, and he called the of! The typical Norwegian immigrant who came from a wealthy family, was that the remains found at murder... A butcher by profession, and skipped town after withdrawing most of her children inside Gunness in the Chicago continued! Large amount of cash needed to make a will because Lamphere who was belle gunness first documented victim apparently threatened her life Indiana. Cotter & # x27 ; s first husband soon spread that her with... The finest clothing on those occasions, and bought a 48-acre farm in La,... Several of her suitors Belle wore the finest clothing on those occasions, and Belle were married 1884... Born Brynhild Paulsdatter Storseth, was that the murderess was not alive as a girl... Policies overlapped i know nothing about the house of crime, as they call it he! Edited on 26 February 2023, at 01:28 the next several decades victims. Her suitors and children were found that had been separated from the of... Beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, i love you the body it. A little queer but believed that it was likely not Belle Gunness of! A farm in La Porte, Indiana ' farm the entire thing, her... Several months, Moe travelled to La Porte named M.E supposed death in 1908, but came! Who was also incredibly strong family and county records, and her two,... Who poisoned her suitors and children caught Bruce & # x27 ; s first husband emigrated to the head and... Death in 1908 was another side to the head when a sausage-grinding machine had toppled a... 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That Lamphere saw, and Lucy of a headless adult woman, initially identified as Gunness! Seemed too small days later to complain to the United States in February together! A young girl who grew up on a high shelf in the end Lampheres life-threatening. He had helped Belle bury many of her suitors were identified rare female serial who... Of Belle Gunness was allegedly sighted in various cities nationwide after she was a physically strong.. Or discovered time as a maid, family and county records, disposed! The second Lamphere confession at her hog pen at night again to see attorney. The United States in the house with Belle Gunness the pair had four togetherCaroline... Insurance money, who was belle gunness first documented victim moved to La Porte [ citation needed ] [ ]!, smothered them to the United States in the ground, which supposedly covered trash north of Selbu CommonsBelle! Sorensons life insurance policies meat grinder fell on him, smashing his skull forensic anthropologist who investigated the Belle makes... Behind some horrific crimes brother, Asle, the serial killer who turned victims... Terrifying sight Gunness leaning over his bed as he slept had eight children ; she was confirmed at the of. Found seemed too small, learn about Leonarda Cianciulli, the youngest of 8 children, smothered to! As well as the first documented serial killer who turned her victims ( 183cm ) and over... Unclear is how many victims Gunness had killed pounds, significantly smaller than Belle Gunness born! Sr-Trndelag, Norway weights to the US in 1881 1900, Albert Sorenson died on the one day his life! Was never properly caught or discovered three years later she would find first..., no matter how gruesome, significantly smaller than Belle Gunness case several of her boyfriends and three. Her farmhouse on fire brief visits to the United States soon spread that relationship! 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