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Did Serial Killer H.H. Holmes Cheat His Own Death?

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The death penalty – a fitting end for any serial killer. Which is exactly what ended the life of Chicago serial killer H.H. Holmes, widely regarded as America’s first serial killer.

Or did it?

There has long been speculation that H.H. Holmes actually cheated his own death and escaped to South America before he could be hanged. A con man with almost no rival, this would have been the ultimate victory to cap off his legacy of vicious deeds. This speculation is hoped to be put to rest when his body is exhumed from the Holy Cross cemetery, where he was said to be buried.

Courtesy of Indiana’s Digital Newspaper Program

NBC Chicago recently published a story about the long-dead killer and his descendent’s quest to put this story to rest for good. His great-grandchildren petitioned the Pennsylvania courts and received approvement for a DNA examination. John Mudgett, Richard Mudgett, and Cynthia Mudgett Soriano want to know whether or not Holmes is really buried where it says he is.

Known at birth as Herman Webster Mudgett, Holmes was the mastermind behind a real-life house of horrors in Chicago. In his “murder castle” located on 63rd and Wallace, a purported 200 women were slain. Holmes would confess to over two dozen. While it’s not clear on the exact count, what is clear is that the house was a place of secret rooms and shrieks of murder.

The Anthropology Department of the University of Pennsylvania will be conducting DNA tests on the body once exhumed. Some have theorized that shortly before his death, H.H. Holmes conned the hangman and got away with replacing an unknown substitute in place of himself. He requested layers upon layers of cement to be lain over his casket after death, ensuring that no one would ever find out about his final great escape.

Whoever is buried in Holmes’ grave will have 120 posthumous days of freedom before it is required to be put back in its rightful place of burial. Holmes or not, the body is going back in the ground. According to the court order, filed March 9th of this year:

In the event it is determined that the remains are not those of Herman Webster Mudgett or are unidentifiable, the Petitioners (Mudgett’s descendants) shall be responsible for purchasing a cemetery marker in addition to requirements for interment.

While the true story of H.H. Holmes’ body count and murder castle may forever be shrouded in mystery and exaggeration, the question of his final escape will soon be answered. And if it’s not him who is in that grave?

Well, some secrets last forever, don’t they?

Courtesy of Indiana’s Digital Newspaper Program

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Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

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Horror Movies

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks. 

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story. 

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did. 

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD. 

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind. 

The Crow
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Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

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The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

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Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

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Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors. 

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie. 

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time. 

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.

Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Footwear for Wednesday Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams Skullector doll
Morticia Addams doll shoes
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