Herb Baumeister: Alleged Sav-a-Lot Killer

Herbert Richard “Herb” Baumeister (April 7, 1947 - July 3, 1996) was the founder of the thrift store chain Sav-a-Lot and an alleged serial killer from suburban Westfield, Indiana. Baumeister’s childhood was unremarkable, but when he entered his teens he began showing antisocial behavior which was later diagnosed as schizophrenia. Left untreated, he had a difficult time keeping a job yet managed to marry and father three children

Sav-a-lot

In 1988 Baumeister founded the Sav-a-lot chain. The chain was a success and Baumeister became very rich. He also began spending a lot of time in homosexual bars in Indianapolis. Allegedly he would bring men he picked up back to his mansion where he would strangle them and dispose of their bones in the woods behind his home. Investigators eventually ended up at Baumeister’s estate after receiving a tip from a man who accused Baumeister of trying to kill him. Baumeister fled to Toronto and killed himself.

A Backyard Burial Ground

A search of his property uncovered the bones of 11 men. Baumeister was also suspected of killing nine more men and disposing of the bodies in rural areas between Indianapolis and Columbus.