Belle Gunness
La Porte's very own "Lady Bluebeard"
I would like to begin this page with the following information.
We found the site of the original farmhouse where the murders took place and
the bodies were buried.  There is a new house there, built just a bit forward of
the original foundation.  The owner was gracious  in speaking with members
of our investigative team and allowed us to explore the area around the house.
After explaining a very bad experience with a previous Paranormal
Investigation team ( to remain unnamed) who broke their word about the
content of the photos taken and the use they would put them to we readily
agreed that our investigation would  be for our own curiosity and remain the
sole property of IAE, no photos from the property will be posted on our website
or displayed in any way.

The IAE will never give directions or divulge information that might lead anyone
to this property.

We thank the owner for allowing us to explore and take photographs for our
personal use.
We would also like to apologize for the shock and dismay the owner felt upon
discovering the apparent betrayal of the other Indiana based team.
Lucy, Myrtle, Phillip and Belle Gunness
Early May 1908
Investigators digging up the Gunness
property.
The head of poisoning victim Ole Budsberg
Andrew Helgelein
Belle's last known Indiana victim.
In 1858 a baby girl was born in Selbu, Norway.  Named Belle by her loving parents, this infant would become the
infamous mass murderer  known as "the lady bluebeard"  
It is believed that she immigrated to the U.S. sometime in 1886.  7 years later she married for the first time.  Her
husband was Mads Sorenson.  The couple owned and operated a store in Chicago that steadily lost money.  The only
profit earned from this business venture came in the form of an insurance payment after the store burned.  Her
husband died in 1900 and Belle collected almost $8,000.00 in life insurance.
The earliest record of Belle living in La Porte was in 1902.  It was there on April 1, 1902 that she married for the 2nd
time.  Her new husband was named Peter Gunness.  They settled down to working their farm on McClung Road and
Belle gave birth to 2 girls and 1 boy
.  Peter died of injuries sustained when a coffee grinder apparently fell off a shelf, hitting him on the head.  It is reported
that the insurance company paid his widow the value of his life insurance policy with great reluctance.
After the death of her husband Belle took in her 18 year old niece, Jenny Olson.  Belle also began advertising in a large
number of Norwegian newspapers for a new husband/helpmate.  The ad copy read "Widow, with mortgaged farm,
seeks marriage.  Triflers need not apply."
Apparently her add was a big success.  Young Jenny was introduced to several male "relatives" of Belle during her stay
on the Gunness farm.  Her suspicions were aroused when these gentlemen would be there when she went to bed at
night but, mysteriously gone when she rose in the morning.  She did not believe her Aunts story of the family member
suddenly deciding to leave in the middle of the night.  Not too long after Jenny voiced her suspicions Belle was telling
people that Jenny had gone to California to attend school there.
One of the men who answered Belles ad was Andrew Helgelein.  In response to his letter Belle instructed him to sell
his belongings and come to La Porte with the cash so they could run the farm together.  She also included a 4 leaf
clover in the letter to bring Andrew luck during his journey to her.  Andrew arrived in 1908 with $3,000.00 in cash.  He
was not seen or heard from until his brother, Asa,  arrived in La Porte and insisted that something was wrong and
urged the Sheriff to investigate Andrew's disappearance.  Unfortunately, Asa arrived  several days too late.  
The Gunness farm had burned down on April 28, 1908.  The bodies of her 3 children along with the body of a headless
woman were found in the remains of the house.   
First assumption was that Belle had perished along with her children that day.  Upon examination of the woman's body,
it was determined that it could not be that of Belle.  The body was too small to be Belle.  Her hired hand, Ray Lamphere,
claimed that he had taken Belle to the train station where she boarded a train to Chicago before returning to the farm
and setting fire to the house.  He claimed that Belle had ordered him to burn the house down after she was safely away.
 He denied any part in the murders but, was convicted for the arson.
When investigators began searching the Gunness property the bodies of 12 people were found along with several body
parts that could not be matched to any of the bodies found.
The body of Andrew Helgelein was found buried in the garden.  Belle's niece Jenny was found close by.

Some investigators have hypothesized that Belle could have killed up to 40 people but, only 12 are know for certain.  

Over the years reports of "Belle sightings" turned up all along the west coast.  No one knows where she ended up or if
she continued murdering men for their money after she left La Porte.
Although we cannot post our findings
about the Belle Gunness property we did
go to the Patton Cemetery where her last
victim is buried.
Please click on the cemetery name to visit
that page.