“GERTRUDE BANISZEWSKI: THE TORTURE MOTHER” and More Horrifyingly True Stories! #WeirdDarkness
Weird Darkness: Stories of the Paranormal, Supernatural, Legends, Lore, Mysterious, Macabre, Unsolved
Deep Dive
Who was Gertrude Baniszewski and what was her role in the Sylvia Likens case?
Gertrude Baniszewski, also known as the Torture Mother, was an Indiana woman who oversaw and facilitated the prolonged torture, mutilation, and eventual murder of Sylvia Likens, a teenage girl she had taken into her home. While she played an active role, much of the torture was carried out by her children and neighborhood kids, creating a 'Lord of the Flies' scenario.
What was the outcome of Gertrude Baniszewski's trial?
Gertrude Baniszewski was convicted of first-degree murder and initially sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. She later appealed and was granted a new trial, where she was again found guilty but sentenced to 18 years to life. She was eventually paroled in 1985 and died of lung cancer in 1990.
What was the cause of Sylvia Likens' death?
Sylvia Likens died from brain swelling, internal hemorrhaging of the brain, and shock. She had over 100 cigarette burns on her body, severe bruising, and muscle and nerve damage. Her death was officially ruled as a result of the torture inflicted by Gertrude Baniszewski and others.
Why did Gertrude Baniszewski target Sylvia Likens?
The exact reason why Gertrude Baniszewski targeted Sylvia Likens is uncertain. Some theories suggest Baniszewski saw in Sylvia the beauty and happiness she felt she lacked, leading to her degradation and torture. Others believe her hard life and current living conditions caused a mental break, or that the violence was an extreme form of domestic abuse.
What happened to the other perpetrators involved in the Sylvia Likens case?
Paula Baniszewski, Gertrude's daughter, was convicted of second-degree murder but later pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and served three years in prison. John Baniszewski, Coy Hubbard, and Ricky Hobbs were convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 18 months in juvenile detention. Hobbs later died of lung cancer at 21.
Who was Roland T. Owen and what happened to him?
Roland T. Owen was a man who checked into the Presidential Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 2, 1935, and was found brutally beaten and tortured in his room on January 4. He died from his injuries. His real identity was later discovered to be Artemis Ogletree, a 17-year-old from Alabama. The case remains unsolved.
What is the Little Blue Ocean Cabin at Hunting Island State Park?
The Little Blue Ocean Cabin is an old rental cabin on the beach at Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina. It is the last remaining cabin due to severe beach erosion. It has become a local celebrity and is rumored to be haunted, with visitors reporting sightings of a figure pacing inside.
What paranormal experience did the narrator have at their mother's wake?
At their mother's wake, the narrator witnessed a large moving shadow in the hallway, which appeared to flee when noticed. The shadow then transformed into a window of swirling smoky light, with a bright track of light extending toward an open closet. The experience left the narrator astonished and curious.
- Gertrude Baniszewski's abuse of Sylvia Likens involved torture, mutilation, and murder.
- Banaszewski's children and other neighborhood children actively participated in the abuse.
- The case highlighted the failure of authorities to intervene despite signs of abuse.
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