The Bloody Benders: A Gruesome Tale of Murder and Mystery

TLDRThe notorious Bender family operated an inn and grocery store in Southeastern Kansas in the 1870s. They were involved in a series of disappearances and gruesome murders, with a total of 11 victims. The family consisted of John and Kate Bender, and their children, John Jr. and Kate. The Benders were known for their violent tendencies, seances, and mysterious past. They would lure travelers to their inn, rob and kill them, and bury the bodies on their property. The family disappeared in 1873, leaving behind a horrifying crime scene.

Key insights

🔍The Bender family operated an inn and grocery store in Southeastern Kansas in the 1870s.

💀The Benders were involved in a series of disappearances and gruesome murders, with a total of 11 victims.

🔮Kate Bender, also known as Professor Katie Bender, claimed to have clairvoyant powers and conducted seances.

💰The Benders would lure travelers to their inn, rob and kill them, and bury the bodies on their property to steal their belongings.

🔍The Bender family disappeared in 1873, leaving behind a horrifying crime scene and a mystery that remains unsolved.

Q&A

How many victims did the Benders have?

—The Benders were responsible for the murders of at least 11 people.

What happened to the Bender family?

—After suspicions arose and search parties failed to find them, the Bender family disappeared in 1873 and their fate remains unknown.

What were some of the Benders' methods of murder?

—The Benders would invite travelers to their inn, where they would sit them with their backs to a cloth divider. One of the family members would then strike the victim with a hammer, killing them instantly. The bodies were then buried on the property.

Were there any survivors or witnesses to the Bender family's crimes?

—There were no known survivors or witnesses to the crimes committed by the Bender family. The victims had no idea of the horrors that awaited them at the seemingly innocent inn and grocery store.

Was the mystery of the Bender family ever solved?

—No, the Bender family disappeared before they could be brought to justice. Their fate remains a mystery, and their story continues to captivate and horrify to this day.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to the mysterious and murderous Bender family.

08:18Background and reputation of the Bender family in their community.

12:10First notable disappearances: George Loner and his daughter.

12:55Disappearance of Dr. William York and the search for the missing people.

13:57Abandoned Bender inn and the discovery of the horrifying crime scene.

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