Belle Gunness | Photos 2 | Murderpedia, the encyclopedia of murderers

Belle Sorenson GUNNESS

People came from near and far to watch as police investigated these horrific crimes.

An investigators stands in the rubble of Belle Gunness' basement.

Where 9 of the bodies were found.

Four bodies here.

Morgue where bodies were kept.
(photo provided by the LaPorte County Historical Society and Museum)

Peter Gunness
(photo provided by the LaPorte County Historical Society and Museum)

Ray Lamphere, Gunness's hired hand, was arrested for murder and arson on May 22, 1908.
He was found guilty of arson, but cleared of murder. He died in prison, but not before
revealing the truth about Belle Gunness and her crimes, including burning
her own house down.

Henry Gurholdt, victim (photo provided by the LaPorte County Historical Society and Museum)

Jenny Olsen was a foster child (or niece) of Belle Gunnes' and became one of Belle's murder victims.
Eighteen-year-old Jenny became suspicious about the many "relatives" and suitors that suddenly
departed in the night or went away. Shortly thereafter, Belle reported that Jenny "went away to
school in California." Jenny's body was later discovered in May 1908 when Andrew Helgelein's
brother searched for and found Andrew's body in a waste pit on the Gunnes' farm.

Andrew K. Helgelien

Andrew's brother Asle made sure he had a proper burial at a cemetery in LaPorte.

Photos provided by the LaPorte County Historical Society and Museum

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