Belle Gunness, also known as Hell's Belle, was a notorious Norwegian-American serial killer active in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908. Her gruesome crimes have left a chilling legacy in true crime history.
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Background and Early Life:
Belle Gunness was born as Brynhild Paulsdatter Størseth on November 11, 1859, in Selbu, Norway.Little is known about her early life, but she emigrated from Selbu to Chicago in 1881.
Murder Spree:
Gunness lured unsuspecting victims to her farm in Indiana between 1902 and 1908.She invited men into her home under the guise of seeking a husband.It's suspected that she robbed and murdered as many as 40 men, along with her five children and two husbands.She used various methods to deceive and kill her victims.
Modus Operandi:
After murdering her two husbands, Gunness posted ads in newspapers seeking men to invest in her farm.Fellow Norwegian Americans flocked to her property, hoping for a taste of home and a business opportunity.She also posted ads in lovelorn columns to attract wealthy bachelors.To lure her last victim, she wrote: "My heart beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, I love you. Come prepared to stay forever." He did, and shortly after his arrival, Gunness killed him and buried his dismembered body in her hog pen alongside other corpses.
Disappearance and Speculation:
Although her farmhouse burned down in April 1908, seemingly with her inside, some believe that Gunness slipped away — perhaps to kill again.The exact number of her victims remains uncertain, but experts estimated she murdered 14 to 24 people.
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