H.H. Holmes built the infamous Murder Castle during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. This episode explores the true story behind the disappearances, the fraud, and how one of America’s first serial killers was finally caught.

Using false identities, staged scams, and a building designed to confuse and trap, Holmes turned murder into a business model. As victims vanished and his schemes began to collapse, investigators uncovered a case of fraud, deception, and calculated killing that helped turn him into one of the most notorious figures in American crime history.

Topics include

• the design and purpose of the Murder Castle
• Holmes’ life as Herman Mudgett
• insurance fraud, false identities, and calculated killings
• the role of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
• how H.H. Holmes was finally caught

Resources and Further Reading

• H.H. Holmes - Wikipedia
• The Devil in the White City - by Erik Larson
• American Horror Story: Hotel - Ryan Murphy

Host & Show Info

• Hosts: Kyle Risi & Adam Cox
• Intro Music: Alice in dark Wonderland

Community & Calls to Action

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• Website: thecompendiumpodcast.com
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