In La Porte, Indiana, on a pig farm, Belle Gunness carried out the gruesome act of killing two of her husbands, a number of single men, and even some of her own children. However, her true identity remained hidden to those who saw her as a lonely widow residing in the American Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unbeknownst to them, Gunness was a notorious serial killer, responsible for the deaths of at least 14 individuals. Some experts even speculate that her victim count may have reached as high as 40.

Gunness had a methodical approach to her crimes. Following the murders of her two husbands, this Norwegian-American woman would place advertisements in newspapers, seeking men who were willing to invest in her farm. Fellow Norwegian-Americans, longing for a taste of their homeland and a promising business venture, were lured to her property. Additionally, Gunness would strategically place ads in columns dedicated to the lovelorn, targeting wealthy bachelors who were seeking companionship.

To lure her last victim, Gunness wrote: “My heart beats in wild rapture for you, My Andrew, I love you. Come prepared to stay forever.”

Gunness took action and promptly ended his life as soon as he arrived. Subsequently, she buried his dismembered remains in her hog pen, alongside numerous other lifeless bodies. Despite the apparent incident of her farmhouse burning down in April 1908, with her supposedly inside, there are those who speculate that Gunness managed to escape, potentially to continue her murderous spree.