Belle Gunness, Part 2: The Bodies, the Fire & the Escape Theory

From Kat Has Questions: True Crime and Unsolved Mysteries · 51:19

Show by Kat Chesnut

New to the case? Listen to Part 1 first for the story of Belle's early life, her relationships, and the disappearances that preceded the fire.When Belle Gunness's Indiana farmhouse burned to the ground in 1908, investigators believed they had found her body alongside those of her three children. But the woman's head was missing, and what investigators uncovered elsewhere on the property would turn a suspicious house fire into one of America's most disturbing serial murder investigations.In Part 2, we follow the families who traveled to La Porte searching for missing loved ones, the discovery of human remains buried across Belle's farm, and the evidence that began exposing the stories she'd told about the people who disappeared.We also examine the trial of Belle's former hired man, Ray Lamphere, his conflicting alleged confessions, and the question that has followed this case for more than a century: Did Belle Gunness actually die in the fire, or did she stage her own death and escape?Using original 1908 coroner's inquests, contemporary newspaper reports, and information provided directly by La Porte County historian Bruce R. Johnson, we separate documented evidence from speculation and explore what may have happened on Belle's final night.Because while Belle Gunness became infamous for the people who disappeared at her farm, the greatest mystery may be what happened to Belle herself.Content Warning: This episode discusses murder, children's deaths, dismemberment, and human remains.Special Thanks: Thank you to the La Porte County Historical Society Museum for providing historical records and photographs, and to La Porte County historian Bruce R. Johnson for sharing his research and insights.🎧 SOURCES & ACKNOWLEDGMENTSJohnson, B. R. Personal email correspondence with Kat Chesnut. Used with permission.La Porte County Historical Society Museum. (2006). Belle Gunness coroner’s inquisitions (A. Simmons, Transcriber; original records dated 1908) [PDF].La Porte County Historical Society Museum. (n.d.). Belle Gunness. https://laportecountyhistory.org/exhibits/belle-gunness/La Porte County Historical Society Museum. (n.d.). Belle Gunness farm photographs [Archival photographs].Hartzell, T. (n.d.). Belle Gunness’ poisonous pen. HistoryNet. https://historynet.com/belle-gunness-poisonous-pen/Schechter, H. (2018, April 4). Hell’s princess: The mystery of Belle Gunness, butcher of men [Book excerpt]. Crime by the Book. https://crimebythebook.com/blog/2018/4/4/book-excerpt-hells-princess-by-harold-schechterGenealogy Trails. (n.d.). Belle Gunness newspaper transcriptions. https://genealogytrails.com/ind/laporte/belle2.htmlGenealogy Trails. (n.d.). Ray Lamphere confession accounts. https://genealogytrails.com/ind/laporte/belle3.htmlLa Porte Weekly Herald. (1908, April 30). [Reporting on the Gunness fire and investigation]. https://newspaperarchive.com/other-clipping-apr-30-1908-5800881/Waxahachie Daily Light. (1908, November 27). [Reporting on Ray Lamphere’s verdict]. The Portal to Texas History. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1071200/m1/1/University of Indianapolis. (2008, January 11). [Research announcement on the Gunness exhumation]. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109105956.htmRamsland, K. (2018, April 2). Hell’s Belle. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shadow-boxing/201804/hells-belleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/kat-has-questions-true-crime-and-unsolved-mysteries--7346258/support.⸻About the ShowKat Has Questions is a curiosity-driven podcast about real stories that sound unreal — from unsolved crimes and strange history to the quietly weird corners of human behavior.New episodes every week.⸻Support the ShowFollow the podcast, leave a review, or send in a weird historical mystery you want me to dig into next.Want to support Kat Has Questions and listen ad-free? Join the Supporters Club for $2.99/month.⸻Contact📩 ⁠[email protected]⁠Instagram: @KatHasQuestionskathasquestions.com⸻🎵 Music: “Scrunchy” by Night DriftLicensed by UppbeatLicense code: CAHWZR9T33BFXDNY

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