The investigation into the human remains discovered at Fox Hollow Farm nearly 30 years ago is being complicated by lingering questions about whether the suspected serial killer, Herb Baumeister, acted alone, according to Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison.
Jellison, who is leading a renewed effort to identify the victims, expressed skepticism about Baumeister's sole involvement, citing the sheer volume and dispersal of the remains found on the sprawling estate. "There are very strong indications there is another suspect, and it wasn’t Mark Goodyear," Jellison stated in a new documentary.
Approximately 10,000 burned and broken human bones and bone fragments were recovered from Baumeister's 18-acre property. While Baumeister was suspected of murdering at least 25 men, Jellison believes the crime's scale and the logistical challenges of disposing of victims' bodies in the dense woods suggest a potential accomplice. "How does one man pull this crime off? And how does one man get... deceased individuals from his residence to potentially 200 yards through very dense woods?" Jellison questioned. "I think it would've been a very difficult task."
Mark Goodyear, who has identified himself as Baumeister's sole known survivor, has repeatedly denied any involvement in the disappearances. Jellison indicated that while Goodyear is not a suspect, he may possess crucial information. "Mark Goodyear knows a lot about this case," Jellison said, noting that Goodyear's connections within the gay community could aid in identifying some of the victims. However, Jellison also voiced frustration with Goodyear's past interactions, stating, "in the conversations we’ve had, he’s not been honest."
Baumeister was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Ontario, Canada, in 1996, before he could be arrested. His son discovered a human skull on the property in 1994, but investigators did not thoroughly search the estate until mid-1996. Authorities believe Baumeister lured men, often met at Indianapolis gay bars, to his home while his family was away, killed them, and disposed of their remains on the farm.
Jellison is focused on identifying the thousands of remaining unidentified remains, a task he compares in complexity to the World Trade Center recovery effort due to the lack of initial leads. He is reaching out to the public for information, particularly from extended family members who may not be aware of a loved one's potential connection to the case. "Come forward," he urged. "If you don’t know what to do or you don’t know who to call, call me. I’ll get you going in the right direction."