Belle Gunness

Norwegian-American serial killer

Belle Gunness, born Brynhild Paulsdatter Størset (November 11, 1859 – possibly April 28, 1908), nicknamed "Hell's Belle", was a Norwegian-American serial killer who was active in Illinois and Indiana between 1884 and 1908.

Gunness is thought to have killed at least fourteen people, most of whom were men she enticed to visit her rural Indiana property on the promise of marriage, while some sources speculate her involvement in as many as forty murders.

Gunness seemingly died in a fire in 1908, but it is popularly believed that she faked her death.Her actual fate is unconfirmed.