The notorious American serial killer Herman Webster Mudgett aka H.H. Holmes was executed in Moyamensing Prison on May 7, 1896. Although several sources said that his kill count exceeded 130, and in some instances, 200, officials only convicted him for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel. Pitezel was Holmes’ business partner and accomplice. The convict first got him unconscious with the use of chloroform and then set him on fire.
The method of execution used on H.H. Holmes was hanging. On the day of his execution, reportedly, this terrifying man did not display any sign of anxiety, fear, or depression. In fact, he remained calm. He furthermore requested his coffin to be surrounded by concrete and buried 10 feet deep.
When officials finally hanged him, his neck did not break from the weight of his body. In fact, he suffocated and twitched for about 15 minutes before he was declared dead.
When and how was H.H. Holmes captured?
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency captured H.H. Holmes in Boston on November 17, 1894. This agency was tracking him from Philadelphia. Officials arrested him regarding a case of horse theft, however, they were extremely suspicious of him for killing several people. The suspicion only grew when investigators learned that the serial killer planned to flee the country with his third wife.
In October 1895, H.H. Holmes received a death sentence for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel. He even manipulated his victim’s wife to take their three children under his custody. According to various reports, Holmes later confessed that he killed two of the children and the bones and teeth of the third child were found in the chimney of a cottage that Holmes rented.
While on death row H.H. Holmes confessed to the murders of 27 people. He added that he operated Chicago, Indianapolis, and Toronto, and furthermore attempted to kill an additional six people. The Hearst newspapers paid him $7,500 for his confession.