Review: Hulu’s “The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer” Informatively Explores the Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacey You’ve Never Heard Of
Take a trip back to 1990’s Indianapolis, IN as ABC News Studios explores the notorious Fox Hollow Murders in a new 4-part docuseries.
Back in the 1990s, Indianapolis, IN was a relatively conservative town. After 5PM, most businesses closed down as people returned to their suburban homes for the day. However, the downtown area hosted an illustrious gay nightlife scene. When several gay men went missing, authorities and friends alike attributed their disappearances to the HIV/AIDS crisis, but behind the scenes there was a far more nefarious truth to these disappearances. In Hulu’s The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer, viewers are invited to step back in time to see how Herb Baumeister was able to lure victims back to his suburban mansion where he would violently murder them. Throughout the 4-part docuseries, explore the double life of Baumeister who lived a fairly normal life outside of his crimes. Married with 3 kids, at first glance, Baumeister was a run-of-the-mill American success story. Going into business with his wife, the pair opened a successful chain of thrift stores that afforded them a large mansion with an indoor pool. Called the Fox Hollow Farm, the 18 acre estate became a home base for Baumeister’s crimes when his wife and kids were out of town. Using new DNA technology, interviews and interrogation clips, and even taking a trip back to Fox Hollow Farms, the docuseries explores the shortcomings of law enforcement, newly identified victims, and whether we really have the whole story behind the The Fox Hollow Murders.
Stepping into the first episode, The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer sets the scene for the series, describing Herb Baumeister as the Jeffrey Dahmer or John Wayne Gacey you’ve never heard of. And, for me, that was the truth. The investigation uncovered over 10,000 pieces of human remains inside the farm, an astronomically horrifying number. Kicking off the docuseries, the ABC News Studios produced program follows Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison as he re-explores the violent murders with new technology, interviews with key witnesses, and potential accomplices to help bring peace to the victims families. Part of what made this true crime deep dive so interesting was its blunt honesty about the relationship between law enforcement and the gay community throughout the 90s. While cops weren’t really interested in searching for missing gay men, gay men also didn’t trust the police. After a potential victim was able to escape Baumeister unscathed, minus an uneasy night with Baumeister where he attempted to asphyxiate him for pleasure, the gay community banded together to help identify Baumeister who had been using an alias when out at gay bars and clubs.
While some true crime series tend to feel shallow, The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer feels like an act of justice more so than a terrifying true tale of murder. The second episode, which spends much of its time exploring Herb Baumeister’s early life, was also an incredibly interesting view into the psyche of the mentally ill man. While the 4-episode series is a huge time commitment, with 4 nearly 1-hour long episodes, Hulu’s new docuseries is highly informative and doesn’t rely on sensationalism to bring viewers into its investigation. For those looking to check out The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer, the docuseries does contain sexually explicit information, descriptions of murder, and language unsuitable for children.
All in all, if you enjoy true crime, history, and justice, The Fox Hollow Murders: Playground of a Serial Killer is worth the watch. Check it out when it premieres on February 18th, only on Hulu.
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