Case study on Dr. H. H. Holmes

Holmes had been born into a wealthy New Hampshire family and was given the name Herman Webster Mudgett (America’s Serial Killers). “If Mudgett or his brother or sister were bad, their strict Methodist parents sent them to the attic for a full day without speaking or eating,. Mudgett’s father was especially abusive after he’d been drinking - which was often” (Spikol). However, his father was a wealthy and respected citizen and had been the local postmaster for nearly twenty five years (Taylor). It is surprising an important member of the community was a child abuser. The abuse of his father may be one of the

He grew up secluded with his two brothers, Henry and Arthur, and his sister Ellen. He also grew up with his parents who were devout Methodists. A common factor about serial killers is that they usually grew up in a strictly religious household. His home life was hard because of his mentally and physically abusive parents, especially his father. Researchers have found out that his father used tactics such as “prolonged isolation and even food deprivation. Furthermore, his father reportedly held kerosene soaked rags over Holmes and the other children’s mouths to “quiet them” when they cried.” (Concordia University). A child’s relationship with their parents is crucial in their development. Psychologists have researched this specific topic for years and drew the conclusion that, “Without the safety net of a secure attachment relationship, children grow up to become adults who struggle with feelings of low self-worth and challenges with emotional regulation. They also have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety.” (How Childhood Trauma). Because of his parents neglecting, his idea of relationships was skewed, and he became isolated. He had no positive relationship to model after and that really took a toll on his social life. In fact, “It is possible that Holmes...was so traumatized by the abuse that it ultimately led to his inability to form meaningful relationships.” (Concordia University). He was bullied at school for being smarter than the rest of the class and having no friends. His most notable bullying incident was when “ Holmes, blindsided by classmates, was forced into a doctor’s office, where the hands of a skeleton were forcibly placed over his face.” (Concordia University). Holmes had a phobia of doctors and anatomy as a whole, and the event was so traumatic to him that his fear reversed itself and turned into an extreme interest, something that is not uncommon between trauma victims. The

    During the 1893 Columbian Exposition, H.H. Holmes was one of the first serial killers of America. Holmes would lure his victims into his building which he transformed into his “murder castle.” First he would manipulate his victims by coming off as a

Dr. H. H. Holmes has a passion for murder, and he hides his true personality behind an act of a charming man managing a hotel. Since Holmes uses his creativity to disrupt the lives of innocent people, he brings out the Black City of Chicago. As a result of Holmes’s passion for murder, he has to keep his psychotic talent secret. Only very few people know Holmes’s true lifestyle, and if they do, he kills them. Holmes weaves his way into to his victims’ lives to manipulate them for his personal benefit.. Even though the White City masks some of Chicago’s problems, evil still

Lastly, Holmes has so much bravado.  As the creditors were swaying to arrest Holmes, “Holmes fled”(Larson 325).  This shows he won’t be a man and face the consequences. He won’t fight back. As Holmes fled, he shows the reader this fake courage and fake dignity.

Topic: Chicago World Fair 1893Question: What was the effect H. H. Holmes left with his murders in the chicago world fair area; did anyone notice; what was actually going on inside the event as all of this was happening?Thesis: In the Chicago World Fair of 1893 America got its first serial killer H. H. Holmes. He used his hotel the ‘’Murder Castle” to hide what he was doing since guest for the event would check in and no one would notice the deaths with such a huge event. Inside of the event itself there were inventions being made and improved. The World Fair opened on May 1st for its annual event filled with inventions and ideas that would last for the next six months. In the event there were things being made such as Wrigley’s Gum, Cracker

Serial Killers are nothing new to today’s society. Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy shocked our nation with their violent, brutal, and at times unbelievable crimes, although none of them were as notorious as Herman Webster Mudgett better known as Dr. H.H. Holmes. A man that carried himself as a smart, intellectual member of society, but in reality he was a smooth talking conman and very disturbed individual. A man who designed and built a building with torture rooms that would serve as his play house. Being born and raised in Chicago, I enjoy learning about its rich history. I had heard about this serial killer before, but I was not aware of his complete story. I am taking this

Henry Herman Holmes was known to many as the first American serial killer. Better known as just H. H. Holmes, he committed many murders in a suburb on the south side of Chicago during the late 1800’s. Holmes once admitted to police that he killed 27 people, but many actually predict that the number of murders he committed is near 200 (Handley). So what is the real number of people that he killed? Let’s take a closer look at the facts of Holmes’ life, occupation, and the mansion that he built to determine how many people he may have actually murdered.

To clarify, Henry Howard Holmes known as H. H. Holmes was America’s first serial killer. As a child, Holmes was terrified of the doctor, however a few bullies from his school forced him to touch the real skeleton in their doctor’s office which started his obsession with human anatomy. When Holmes was a teenager he interned at his local doctor’s office and later went to Michigan State for a medical degree and became a skilled doctor. Holmes took out fake insurance policies on the bodies he used in medical school after pouring acid on their face so they were unrecognizable in order to afford college. In 1889 Holmes designed and built a hotel to assist his murders.

Holmes Murder Castle was the innovative creation that allowed him to lure in unexpecting visitors to the fair. It consisted of: endless hallways, a windowless third floor, a torture chamber along with a dissecting room in the basement, and so many other ruthless creations. H.H. Holmes Murder Castle is known to be a reflection of his own distorted mind. Which in fact it was given the extensive thought and trouble he went through to make it a reality.

The hotel is 3 stories tall and has very many unknown in and outs. While construction of the hotel was underplace Holmes hired and fired the construction workers. Even some went missing during the building of the hotel. The reason behind the hiring and firing constantly is so no one would see the complete and actual layout of the hotel (H.H Holmes). Holmes is the only one at his time that knew every single in and out of the hotel. The hotel was located on the corner of South Wallace and 63rd street (John). The hotel was built in excellent timing for the Chicago World’s Fair so many more people would be in Chicago, Illinois and in need of a hotel. Majority of the people believed to be murdered there was women. There were many different ways Holmes had built the hotel for women and some men to get trapped. There were many trap doors and hidden rooms (Murder Castle). Once you entered certain rooms there was no escaping that room. You could be trapped and tortured and no one would hear you to help and if help came they would be tortured also. Once all of that was over you would be sent down a chute to the basement where you would face death (Murder Castle). There is an estimated 20 to 200 people murdered in the hotel. H. H Holmes admitted to the murder of 27 people but there is reason to believe that there is many more murders he did not admit to

James Eagan Holmes is an American convicted on 24 counts of murder and 140 counts of attempted murder for the 2012 Aurora shooting that killed 12 people and injured 70 others at a Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, on July 20, 2012. Well James holmes wasn't always a psycho killer. When he was a kid, he was actually a pretty nice kid and was raised by a good family. That was some evidence that his lawyers presented in court, all of the kid stuff.

Understanding and analyzing past serial killers motives is a vital part in stopping future killing sprees. H.H. Holmes and Dr. Harold Shipman, both considered as two of the most prolific serial killers, share many common behaviors that are necessary to be investigated. From childhood through adulthood, Holmes and Shipman are very similar when it comes to experiences, traits, motives, etc. Erik Larson, in The Devil In The White City, develops H.H. Holmes character through describing his unique attributes, which gives an inside look on why Holmes was motivated to kill so many people. Knowing H.H. Holmes motives is crucial in order to stop future serial killers from evading the police for so long like Dr. Harold Shipman.

Just across the street from the pharmacy, Holmes built a block long three story building, “The Murder Castle”, and opened it as a hotel during the World's Colombian Exposition in 1873. Neither his hotel nor

On July 20, 2012, a major tragedy happened in Aurora Colorado during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. James Holmes willingly without showing no remorse entered the movie theater Century 16 at Town Center. He was resembling the Joker with red hair wearing a gas mask and body armor murdering 12 people and wounding 70 people. A jury found Holmes guilty on 24 counts of first degree murder, two counts for each of the 12 victims. Also, he was found guilty of 140 counts of attempted murder for the 70 people wounded (Biography, 2016). James Holmes’ life, upbringing, and behavior preceding the massacre, the significance of the case from a behavioral and security management perspective, the response time by the theater staff and law enforcement, the legal and ethical considerations in this incident and what learning outcomes are relevant to this case study will be some of the highlights covered in this case analysis.