Most Terrifying Things About America’s First Serial Killer

The Trial and Sentencing

H.H. Holmes was only tried for the murder of Pitezel, even though he was connected to numerous other murders inside of the hotel. In October of 1895, Holmes was found guilty of murdering Pitezel and sentenced to death. After his conviction, he admitted to 27 murders across Chicago, Indianapolis and Toronto as well as six attempted murders.

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Even during his last days, Holmes still hustled for cash. He was paid $7,500 (worth over $150,000 if you consider inflation) by Hearst newspapers in exchange for his confession. This turned out to be a major waste of money for Hearst (who should’ve known better than to make a deal with a con man). His accounts were completely contradictory and the confession was mostly nonsense. This also probably accounts for why he confessed to murder of some people that he did not actually kill. With as massive and ornate of a hotel dedicated to murder as he managed to build who knows how large the actual number of murders is, but one could only imagine it is quite large.