The Most Famous Killer in Indiana, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the killer you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 1, 2024 07:09

In the quiet stretches of Indiana, tales of notorious killers have often slipped into the shadows of its rich history. Understanding these stories is not only about satisfying curiosity but also serves as a form of awareness and learning from the past. By creating a ranking of the most famous killers, we provide a sorted reflection of historical crime that has shaped the state. This setup allows you and others to contribute your opinions, improving the accuracy of the list and engaging with history in an interactive way.

Who Is the Most Famous Killer in Indiana?

1

74
votes
Herb Baumeister

Known as the "I-70 Strangler," Baumeister is believed to have murdered at least 11 men in the Indianapolis area during the 1980s and 1990s. He committed suicide before he could be brought to trial.
Herb Baumeister in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous serial killer in Wisconsin
2

39
votes

Larry Eyler

Also known as the "Highway Killer," Eyler was convicted of murdering 21 young men in the Midwest during the 1980s. Many of his victims were prostitutes, whom he would pick up along highways.
3

25
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Belle Gunness

A Norwegian-American serial killer who is believed to have murdered at least 14 people, including her own children and several suitors. She lured her victims to her farm in La Porte County, Indiana, where she would kill them and bury their bodies on her property.
Belle Gunness in other rankings
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous poisoner
4

20
votes
Oregon · Public domain

Carl Panzram

A notorious serial killer and rapist who confessed to killing at least 21 people, including two young boys, in the early 20th century. He was eventually executed in Leavenworth, Kansas.
Carl Panzram in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous killer in Wisconsin
5

19
votes

William Heirens

Dubbed the "Lipstick Killer" because he left messages scrawled in lipstick at the scenes of his crimes, Heirens was convicted of killing three people in the Chicago area in the 1940s. He was born in Evanston, Illinois, but spent much of his childhood in Indiana.
6

14
votes
Des Plaines Police Department · Public domain

John Wayne Gacy

John Wayne Gacy

Although he is best known for his crimes in Illinois, Gacy was born in Chicago and spent part of his childhood in Indiana. He was convicted of murdering 33 young men and boys in the 1970s, many of whom he buried in the crawl space of his home.
John Wayne Gacy was an American serial killer who was active between 1972 and 1978. He sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered at least 33 young boys and young men in Chicago, Illinois. Gacy was able to lure his victims to his home under the pretext of offering them employment or money. He would then capture and restrain them before subjecting them to prolonged periods of sexual abuse and eventually strangling them to death. Gacy's case gained significant media attention due to the high number of victims and the gruesome nature of his crimes. He was convicted in 1980 and sentenced to death. Gacy was executed by lethal injection in 1994.

Conviction: 1980

Sentence: Death

Target Victims: Young boys and young men

Notoriety: High media attention

Active Years: 1972 - 1978
John Wayne Gacy in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular Killer Clown
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Death Row inmate
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular serial killer in America
- Position 3 of 10 in Most intriguing serial killer
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous killer in Nevada
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous criminal of all time
7

4
votes

Eddie Lee Mays

A notorious gang leader who ordered the murder of seven people in Indianapolis in 2006, including a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Mays was eventually sentenced to life in prison without parole.
8

5
votes

Michael Wayne Jackson

Convicted of killing three people during a robbery at a Fort Wayne restaurant in 2002, Jackson was sentenced to death and executed in 2009.
9

11
votes

Darren Vann

A convicted sex offender who confessed to killing seven women in the Gary, Indiana area between 2013 and 2014. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
10

6
votes

Joseph Oberhansley

Convicted of murdering his girlfriend in Jeffersonville, Indiana in 2014, Oberhansley is currently on death row. He had previously served time in prison for killing his ex-girlfriend in Utah.

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Ranking factors for famous killer

The number of victims

The killer's number of victims is an important factor in determining their level of infamy.
Media coverage

The amount of media coverage the killer received can also contribute to their level of fame.
Method of killing

The manner in which the killer killed their victims could also play a role in how famous they became.
Duration of killing spree

The length of time that the killer was active and the frequency of their attacks could also contribute to their level of notoriety.
Impact on society

Finally, the impact that the killer had on society and the community in which they operated could also be a significant factor.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous killer in Indiana. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or killer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1394 views
216 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each killer once every 24 hours. The rank of each killer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous killer in indiana

Indiana, the "Crossroads of America," is known for its cornfields, basketball, and the Indianapolis 500. However, the state has also been home to some infamous criminals throughout history. From the notorious John Dillinger to the lesser-known Herb Baumeister, Indiana has seen its fair share of killers. But who is the most famous? This question has sparked heated debates and discussions among true crime enthusiasts. In this article, we delve into the lives and crimes of Indiana's infamous killers to determine who holds the title of the most famous killer in the Hoosier State.