Not many people who live in Illinois know that America's first serial killer actually lived in Chicago, where he committed a majority of his crimes.

I love a good true crime story, don't you? I remember reading about this guy before I even moved to Illinois. I was talking to coworkers about him and no one knew who or what I was talking about. I guess that's a good thing.

For those out there like me, who are true crime fanatics, buckle up!

Dr. H. H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer and His Chicago Crimes

Born Herman Mudgett, Dr. H. H. Holmes was born in New Hampshire. As a kid, he had the whole package. He was born into a wealthy family and displayed remarkable intelligence from a very young age. [Britannica]

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After graduating, he attended The University of Michigan as a medical student. He later moved to Chicago and changed his name to Dr. H. H. Holmes and worked as a pharmacist. It's alleged that the reason he began to murder was to claim property, but that has not been confirmed.

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Over time, he built a massive... I don't even know what to call it. Hotel? Mansion? Business? Where he had hidden rooms, doors that led to nowhere, and rooms where gas would leak that he used solely to kill people. At the time, he was considered very handsome and would seduce multiple women into the "Murder Castle" and kill them.

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His killings mainly took place during the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. Now, a rumor I heard about him was, that since he was a medical professional, he would sell his victims' body parts to medical schools around the country. But I want to emphasize that is NOT CONFIRMED.

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He would eventually get caught due to his long involvement in an insurance scam (go figure.) At first, he confessed to 27 murders, then later increased it to "more than 130." But, it's suspected to be well over 200. He was eventually hanged and buried in Philidelphia.

If you're curious about what happened to the building and what it looks like today, check this out!

Check Out The Spine-Chilling Chicago Location Where America's First Serial Killer Committed The Most Heinous Crimes

The infamous H. H. Holmes, America's first documented serial killer, committed crimes that belong in nightmares... all right in the city of Chicago. Tour the haunting Windy City area where his presumed "Murder Castle" was located.

Gallery Credit: Olivia Williams

Check out more information and details about the area here!

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Gallery Credit: Olivia Williams

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