Who Is Herb Baumeister? Age, Biography and Wiki
Herb Baumeister, born on April 7, 1947, is infamously known for being an American serial killer. He was active primarily in the 1980s, with his crimes being linked to a series of disappearances of gay men in the Indianapolis area. Though he passed away in 1996, Baumeister's life and crimes continue to intrigue true crime enthusiasts and historians alike. As of 2025, he would have been 78 years old.
| Occupation | Serial Killers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 7, 1947 |
| Age | 49 Years |
| Birth Place | Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 3 July, 1996 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Herb Baumeister's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Details surrounding Herb Baumeister's physical appearance during his lifetime indicate that he stood approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighed around 200 pounds. His stature contributed to his imposing presence, which may have played a role in his interactions with his victims.
By the early 1990s, investigators with the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the Indianapolis Police Department began investigating the disappearances of gay men of similar age, height and weight in the Indianapolis area.
In 1994, they were contacted by a man named Tony Harris, who claimed that a gay bar patron calling himself "Brian Smart" had likely killed Harris' friend, Roger Goodlet.
Harris' suspicion was based on his own encounter with “Smart,” who had attempted to kill him with a pool hose during an erotic asphyxiation session inside his mansion after he had met him at the 501 Club, an Indianapolis gay bar. Harris eventually saw this man again in August 1995, following his car and noting his license plate number.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Herb Baumeister was married to Julie, with whom he had three children. His family life was often described as troubled, as he struggled with personal issues and his illegal activities. In terms of his romantic history, Baumeister's infamy indicates that he did not have public relationships outside of his marriage, and he was primarily documented as having connections with various male victims.
Herbert Eugene Baumeister (d. November 12, 1986) and Elizabeth Baumeister (née Schmidt; d. April 7, 2013). Baumeister's childhood was reportedly normal, but he began exhibiting antisocial behavior by the onset of adolescence.
Friends later recalled his urophilia and how he used to "ponder what it would be like to taste human urine." He also enjoyed urinating on teachers' desks and playing with dead animals. In his teens, Baumeister's behavior caused his father to have him submit to mental examinations.
He was subsequently diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder, but did not receive further psychiatric treatment.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimating Herb Baumeister's net worth is complicated. During his lifetime, he operated a successful thrift store business, which could have provided him with a significant income. However, after his demise and the exposure of his crimes, much of his financial status likely diminished. As of 2025, he does not have a net worth due to the criminal notoriety surrounding him; his property was implicated in the investigations of his gruesome acts.
Career, Business and Investments
Baumeister was primarily known for running a successful thrift store business, which generated income for him and his family. His entrepreneurial spirit was overshadowed by his horrific crimes, which included the suspected murder of over 11 individuals. The dual nature of his life as a businessman and a criminal speaks to the complexities of his character and the horrifying legacy he left behind.
With a warrant out for his arrest, Baumeister fled to Ontario, where he committed suicide at Pinery Provincial Park on Lake Huron by shooting himself in the head with a .357 Magnum handgun. Baumeister left a 3-page suicide note, written on yellow notepaper.
He regretted messing up the park, he wrote, and felt badly about his broken marriage and failing business, but he did not mention the remains of his victims or admit to any crime. Baumeister described items on his trip, including his intention to kill himself in a different place, but seeing children there had changed his mind.
His final meal was a peanut butter sandwich.
Social Network
Given that Herb Baumeister was convicted posthumously, he does not maintain a presence on social media platforms. Discussions about his life and crimes take place in various true crime forums, online documentaries, and articles dedicated to serial killers. Additionally, many followers of true crime continue to analyze the societal impacts of his actions.
Authorities have publicly and posthumously linked the unsolved disappearance of 34-year-old Jerry Williams-Comer to Baumeister. Williams-Comer was last seen in Indianapolis on August 8, 1995. After his disappearance, his vehicle was found at Castleton Square Mall.
As a young gay man, Williams-Comer fit the profile of Baumeister's victims, despite the fact that his remains were never recovered from Fox Hollow Farm.
Education
Herb Baumeister attended the local public schools in Indiana but struggled academically. It is known that he attended Indiana University, where he pursued a degree in business. However, his fall into a troubled life of crime overshadowed his educational achievements.
In 1965, Baumeister attended Indiana University for a semester before dropping out, but returned in 1967. In 1972, he attended a semester at Butler University. As an adult he drifted through a series of jobs, marked by a strong work ethic but also by increasingly bizarre behavior.
