Remains at Baumeister farm identified as Fillmore man

Jeff Jones

WESTFIELD — A Fillmore man, missing for 31 years, has been identified among the remains recovered from a Hamilton County farm where the late serial killer Herb Baumeister once lived.

Jeff Jones, whose last known address was Fillmore, was reported missing in August 1993.

Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison announced the findings on Tuesday, noting that the remains in question were recovered from Fox Hollow Farm, Baumeister’s former home, in 1996.

The remains were identified through an extensive forensic genetic genealogy investigation conducted by the FBI and the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office.

The remains identified as Jones is the third to be identified from Jellison’s renewed investigation into the more than 10,000 pieces of remains recovered at Fox Hollow Farm.

“Because many of the remains were found burnt and crushed, this investigation is extremely challenging,” Jellison said. “However, the team of law enforcement and forensic specialists working the case remain committed. A special thanks goes to the very talented and hardworking people at the FBI, Indiana State Police Laboratory, Dr. Krista Latham of the Biology & Anthropology Department at the University of Indianapolis and DNA experts from Texas-based Othram Laboratory.”

According to Jellison, investigators have four additional DNA profiles that have not yet been identified, bringing Baumeister’s total number of victims to 12. The four unidentified DNA profiles will also be sent to the FBI for genetic genealogy investigation.

Police believe that from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, Baumeister lured gay men to his home before killing them and disposing of the bodies on the property.

Baumeister originally came under suspicion in the disappearance of several men after his son discovered human remains on the property. He died near Toronto of a self-inflicted gunshot wound less than two weeks later.