Most Terrifying Things About America’s First Serial Killer

Runs to Chicago to Open a Murder Hotel

In an attempt to distance himself from previous scams (hello, insurance fraud), the con artist-turned-serial killer finally changed his name from Herman Webster Mudget to H.H. Holmes and moved to Chicago. Holmes picked up another rather inconspicuous job as a pharmacist while working on opening his own business – a hotel.

Rather than a typical, comfy-cozy bed and breakfast, Holmes’ hotel was gorgeous and expansive. Unfortunately, it was a bit more like something out of American Horror Story’s fifth season than your run of the mill Ritz Carlton, which is why it was famously dubbed the Murder Castle. While from the outside it seemed as though Holmes was simply building an opulent masterpiece, his inner intentions were something far more sinister. What he ended up using his hotel for is truly one of the most disturbing things to unfold in the history of serial killers. And sadly, people of the area never saw it coming.