Who Were the Bender Family Serial Killers
The Bender family serial killers were John and Kate Bender, who operated an inn and general store in Labette County, Kansas, during the early 1870s. They are widely regarded as one of the earliest documented serial killing pairs in the United States.
Crimes and Victims
Between 1871 and 1873, the Benders allegedly murdered at least eleven travelers who stopped at their inn. Victims were typically bludgeoned or shot, and their bodies were buried on the property. The family disappeared in 1873 after neighbors discovered the crimes.
Investigation and Legacy
Authorities uncovered multiple shallow graves and recovered remains, but the Benders were never captured. Their case became a landmark in American criminal history, influencing early forensic and investigative methods. For more details, see the FBI's historical case summaries on serial killers.
