Fox Hollow Farm

Posted: 03.28.2025 | Updated: 03.28.2025

A Tudor-style mansion stands on an 18-acre property within the borders of the peaceful city of Westfield, Indiana, just 30 miles north of Indianapolis. It displays every aspect of what one would imagine in a perfect family home. Yet just its name sends a shiver through residents who are familiar with its history. 

That didn’t stop the Graves from purchasing it in 2009, however. Skeptics, they thought they could write a new chapter for the house. However, a series of chilling events would soon unfold, leaving them questioning what they believed. Maybe evil really did leave a stain on the property. A property that once belonged to suspected serial killer Herbert Baumeister.

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Is Fox Hollow Farm Haunted?

The name Fox Hollow Farm is notorious throughout the true crime community. It was the home and personal killing ground of suspected serial killer Herbert Baumeister. For ghost believers, it also holds a far more nefarious reputation that has even gained the recognition of shows such as Ghost Adventures. 

History of the Fox Hollow Farm 

The city of Westfield holds a simple albeit peaceful history going back to its early days when it was founded by a small Quaker community in 1834. With its strong religious ties, the town served as a major checkpoint for the Underground Railroad at one point. 

Today, this once-predominant rural farming community has become a family-friendly suburb. It was officially incorporated as a city in 2008, with its ever-increasing population intertwined with its reputation as one of Indiana’s safest cities. 

Despite Westfield’s welcoming tranquility, a dark cloud encircles it, and at the center – Fox Hollow Farm. Built in 1977, it became the center of an investigation into a string of murders that terrorized hikers along I-70, as well as the gay community from the 80s into the mid-1990s. All the evidence, including a skull discovered on the property, pointed towards Fox Hollow Farm’s owner – Herbert Baumeister. 

The case technically remains unsolved. Baumeister committed suicide in his car in Ontario, Canada before police could interview him. Further investigations of the property revealed 10,000 bone fragments with at least 13 victims identified, and 25 bodies discovered. 

It still remains unclear how many victims Baumeister allegedly claimed, and how many are still on the property; or if he and what police have dubbed the I-70 strangler are even the same person. Those who believe a missing loved one is connected to this case are still encouraged to call the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. 

Robert and Vicki Graves, Fox Hollow Farm’s present owners, purchased the property in May 2009. It seemed like the perfect home for them and their two kids despite the property’s troubling history. However, a series of terrifying events have led to rumors that the property isn’t just haunted by Baumeister’s victims, but Baumeister himself. 

Hauntings at Fox Hollow Farm

The hauntings started almost immediately for the Graves and continue to this day. Vicki was in the swimming pool room doing chores one morning, when she noticed her sons dragged in some dirt from outside. She grabbed the vacuum and began to clean. 

The vacuum suddenly turned off, however. Thinking she stretched it too far, she plugged it back in and got back to cleaning. It shut off again. It continued to happen, each attempt ending with the cord even farther from the socket, still with plenty of slack. 

Vicki tried one more time but was startled when she saw the cord pop out of the socket as if someone yanked on it. Not only that, but she felt as if someone was in the room with her and definitely didn’t want her there.

Things only got weirder for Robert and Vicki. They were outside talking one day; Robert was showing her what parts of the house he was repainting when something caught Vicki’s eye — a man with a red shirt and denim jeans walking through the woods. 

Vicki was about to call out to the man, thinking he was a trespasser, but noticed something. The man’s legs were missing from the thighs down; it was as if he was walking on thin air. The ghostly apparition vanished before Vicki could muster a word. However, It wasn’t the last time he would be seen by her or the Graves’ tenant, Joe LeBlanc, who would experience something even more terrifying. 

An Unwanted Guest

The one person who arguably had the most spine-chilling encounters at Fox Hollow Farm was a tenant of the Graves family, Joe LeBlanc. Joe was Robert’s coworker, in need of a place to stay at the time. He didn’t think much of the house’s past when he took up residence in the Graves’ in-law quarters —  the former dwelling of Herbert Baumeister. 

Joe had a vivid nightmare his first night. He was frantically running through the woods with an overwhelming fear, like someone or something was chasing him. His fear was so intense that when he awoke, he sat upright in bed and ran full-sprint towards the door, slamming his head into the door frame. Joe lay there throbbing in pain, still feeling the urge to run away. He didn’t though, and it was only the beginning. 

He was playing in the pool with the Graves’ sons one day where several murders on Fox Hollow Farm occurred years prior. A cold pair of hands wrapped around his neck and pulled him down into the water. Panic-stricken, Joe jumped out of the pool and didn’t dare go back in. 

Joe was also consistently plagued with a loud, repeated banging on his door at all hours.  He would answer the door, but no one was there, and with no place for someone to hide, it was weird, to say the least. Then, one night, it culminated into something out of a horror movie. 

He heard an incessant banging on the door, and opened it to the usual absence of someone on the other end; Joe shut the door and locked it. No sooner than he closed it, the door blew open revealing a ghostly male specter, soaking wet and screaming before he ran through the apartment and vanished.  

Haunted  St. Louis

There’s plenty to do in St. Louis with plenty more history to take in. It’s a true microcosm of America, where a story is found around every corner. 

Some are filled with inspiration and invigoration, while others leave us with cold sweats in the middle of the night. Tales of ghosts, ghouls, and monsters that lurk in our innermost fears. Some of them walk among us in plain sight. 

One such example is believed to be Herbert Baumeister. A family man and business owner who looked like any friendly face you’d strike up a conversation with. However, another side to him was unbeknownst to many at the time. 

One that would make him a prime suspect in a string of homicides throughout the 80s to the mid-90s. Many of which occurred on his own property, now said to be haunted by him and some of his victims. 

Come and see what ghosts and tales of the night skulk in the shadows of St. Louis. Visit our website today and book an up-close-and-personal experience with St. Louis Ghosts! Be sure to also check our blog for more chilling stories surrounding this town, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Sources:

• https://stlghosts.com/
• https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/hamilton-county/westfield/2019/05/16/photos-fox-hollow-farm-westfield/3692421002/
• https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/hamilton-county/westfield/2019/05/16/photos-fox-hollow-farm-westfield/3692421002/
• https://indyencyclopedia.org/westfield/
• https://lifeinindy.com/neighborhoods/westfield/
• https://fox59.com/indiana-news/family-who-helped-reinvigorate-baumeister-investigation-first-to-get-answers-on-missing-loved-one/
• https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2024/06/05/fox-hollow-farms-victims-identified-alleged-indiana-serial-killer-herbert-baumeister-wesffield/72369859007/
• https://fox59.com/indiana-news/family-who-helped-reinvigorate-baumeister-investigation-first-to-get-answers-on-missing-loved-one/
• https://the-line-up.com/horrors-of-fox-hollow-farm-excerpt
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdMLKf1HH28
• https://www.jhmoncrieff.com/ghost-of-a-serial-killer/