{
  "title": "H. H. Holmes: Chicago's Fiery Fiend and the 'Murder Castle'",
  "dek": "Unraveling the dark legend of Dr. H. H. Holmes and his alleged Chicago hotel designed for murder.",
  "slug": "h-h-holmes-unsolved",
  "canonical_url": "https://crimesandmyths.com/case/h-h-holmes-unsolved",
  "published_at": "2026-09-24T15:09:26.664Z",
  "updated_date": "2026-10-05T03:02:06.637000",
  "word_count": 871,
  "direct_answer": "Dr. H. H. Holmes, a serial killer and con man, operated a hotel in Chicago during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Legend claims he designed it as a 'Murder Castle' with secret passages and disposal systems, killing at least 27 women. However, evidence of elaborate torture devices is disputed, with some viewing the 'Murder Castle' narrative as sensationalized journalism.",
  "key_facts": [
    {
      "value": "Englewood neighborhood, Chicago, IL",
      "label": "Primary Location"
    },
    {
      "value": "Began in 1887, prior to the World's Columbian Exposition.",
      "label": "Alleged 'Murder Castle' Construction"
    },
    {
      "value": "At least 27 women during the 1893 Exposition.",
      "label": "Alleged Victim Count"
    },
    {
      "value": "Demolished; the site is now the Englewood Post Office.",
      "label": "Fate of the Building"
    },
    {
      "value": "May 7, 1896, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.",
      "label": "Holmes' Execution"
    },
    {
      "value": "Disputed claims of torture chambers and crematoriums within the hotel.",
      "label": "Contested Evidence"
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "Who was H. H. Holmes?",
      "answer": "H. H. Holmes, born Herman Webster Mudgett, was a notorious American serial killer who operated around the time of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition."
    },
    {
      "question": "What was the 'Murder Castle'?",
      "answer": "The 'Murder Castle' was a three-story hotel constructed by H. H. Holmes in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago, which popular lore suggests was designed as a trap for his victims."
    },
    {
      "question": "Where was the 'Murder Castle' located?",
      "answer": "The building was located at the corner of Wallace Street and 63rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago."
    }
  ],
  "structured_block": {
    "timeline": [
      {
        "date": "1887",
        "event": "Construction of H. H. Holmes' hotel, the 'Murder Castle,' began in Chicago."
      },
      {
        "date": "1893",
        "event": "World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago; period of alleged heightened criminal activity by H. H. Holmes."
      },
      {
        "date": "Post-1893",
        "event": "Investigations into H. H. Holmes' activities intensified following disappearances."
      },
      {
        "date": "1895",
        "event": "H. H. Holmes convicted of murder in Philadelphia."
      },
      {
        "date": "May 7, 1896",
        "event": "H. H. Holmes executed by hanging in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."
      },
      {
        "date": "Undetermined Post-Execution",
        "event": "H. H. Holmes' remains exhumed from Holy Cross Cemetery, Indianapolis, found in a cement sarcophagus."
      },
      {
        "date": "Recent",
        "event": "Jeff Mudgett, a descendant, petitions to exhume Holmes' grave for DNA testing."
      }
    ],
    "persons": [
      "H. H. Holmes (Dr. Henry Howard Holmes / Herman Webster Mudgett)",
      "Benjamin Pitezel",
      "Jeff Mudgett",
      "Adam Selzer"
    ],
    "evidence_status": "Conflicting. Holmes confessed to multiple murders, but the extent and nature of the 'Murder Castle's' alleged features (torture chambers, crematorium) are disputed and lacked definitive proof during police investigations. The site of the alleged 'Murder Castle' is now the Englewood Post Office.",
    "current_status": "The physical structure known as the 'Murder Castle' has been demolished. The legal aspects of H. H. Holmes' crimes have been resolved with his execution, but the full truth of his victims and the precise nature of his criminal enterprise remain a subject of historical debate and popular fascination.",
    "sources": [
      {
        "title": "The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America",
        "url": "https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40487.The_Devil_in_the_White_City",
        "publisher": "Crown",
        "tier": "Primary"
      },
      {
        "title": "H.H. Holmes: America's First Serial Killer",
        "url": "https://www.amazon.com/H-H-Holmes-Americas-Killer/dp/1550719197",
        "publisher": "Barricade Books",
        "tier": "Secondary"
      },
      {
        "title": "The Torture Machines of H. H. Holmes",
        "url": "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/torture-machines-h-h-holmes-180951102/",
        "publisher": "Smithsonian Magazine",
        "tier": "Secondary"
      },
      {
        "title": "The Holmes \"Murder Castle\"",
        "url": "http://adamselzer.com/the-holmes-murder-castle/",
        "publisher": "Adam Selzer",
        "tier": "Secondary"
      }
    ],
    "reviewer": {
      "completeness": 95,
      "narrative_quality": 90,
      "readability": 95,
      "direct_answer_standalone": true,
      "perspective_counterpoints": true,
      "honesty_framing": true,
      "verdict": "pass",
      "reasons": "The article is well-written, balanced, and accurately reflects the provided source documents."
    }
  },
  "entities": [
    {
      "name": "H. H. Holmes",
      "description": "An infamous American serial killer born Herman Webster Mudgett.",
      "type": "Person",
      "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Holmes"
    },
    {
      "name": "Chicago",
      "description": "A city in Illinois where H. H. Holmes committed his crimes.",
      "type": "Place",
      "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago"
    },
    {
      "name": "World's Columbian Exposition",
      "description": "A world's fair held in Chicago in 1893.",
      "type": "Organization",
      "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Columbian_Exposition"
    }
  ],
  "place": {
    "name": "H. H. Holmes' 'Murder Castle' Site",
    "address": "63rd Street and Wallace Street, Chicago, IL",
    "sameAs": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._H._Holmes"
  },
  "temporal_coverage": {
    "start": "",
    "end": ""
  },
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes attempted to burn the building for insurance money during the exposition.",
      "category": "other",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Construction of the 'castle' began in 1887, before the World's Columbian Exposition was planned.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Chicago police found no evidence of torture devices or crematorium facilities during their search of the building.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes' childhood was marked by physical abuse, social difficulties, and cruelty toward animals.",
      "category": "person",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.7,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes designed a two-story maze with trap doors, hidden passages, and torture chambers.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes killed at least 27 women during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.",
      "category": "outcome",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes designed and built a hotel in Chicago with the specific intent of murdering women.",
      "category": "other",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.7,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Hearst Newspapers paid Holmes $7,500 for his confession.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes confessed to 100 murders but later recanted and claimed 27.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H.H. Holmes was convicted for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel.",
      "category": "outcome",
      "agreement_status": "court_established",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes was a pathological liar who spun yarns for the press while awaiting execution.",
      "category": "person",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not destroyed by fire in 1895 but remained standing for over 40 years.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.95,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Historical evidence suggests the only person Holmes is confirmed to have killed at the Chicago building is Nannie Williams.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.75,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' never functioned as a hotel for one day.",
      "category": "other",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.85,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Jeff Mudgett, a descendant of H.H. Holmes, petitioned to exhume Holmes' grave to conduct DNA testing.",
      "category": "person",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The site of the 'murder castle' is currently occupied by the Englewood Post Office.",
      "category": "location",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H.H. Holmes' remains were found inside a cement sarcophagus at Holy Cross Cemetery.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not destroyed by fire in 1895 but remained standing for over 40 years.",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes confessed to 100 murders but later recanted and claimed 27.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes was convicted for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel.",
      "category": "outcome",
      "agreement_status": "court_established",
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      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes attempted to burn the building for insurance money during the exposition.",
      "category": "other",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
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      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Construction of the 'castle' began in 1887, before the World's Columbian Exposition was planned.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Chicago police found no evidence of torture devices or crematorium facilities during their search of the building.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
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      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes' childhood was marked by physical abuse, social difficulties, and cruelty toward animals.",
      "category": "person",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes designed a two-story maze with trap doors, hidden passages, and torture chambers.",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes killed at least 27 women during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Jeff Mudgett, a descendant of H.H. Holmes, petitioned to exhume Holmes' grave to conduct DNA testing.",
      "category": "person",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes' remains were found inside a cement sarcophagus at Holy Cross Cemetery.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The site of the 'Murder Castle' is currently occupied by the Englewood Post Office.",
      "category": "location",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not destroyed by fire in 1895 but remained standing for over 40 years.",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes confessed to 100 murders but later recanted and claimed 27.",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes was convicted for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes attempted to burn the building for insurance money during the exposition.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Construction of the 'castle' began in 1887, before the World's Columbian Exposition was planned.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Chicago police found no evidence of torture devices or crematorium facilities during their search of the building.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes killed at least 27 women during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The only person Holmes is confirmed to have killed at the Chicago building is Nannie Williams.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.75,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes designed and built a hotel in Chicago with the specific intent of murdering women.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not a hotel for one day.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
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      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes' remains were found inside a cement sarcophagus at Holy Cross Cemetery.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' remained standing for over 40 years.",
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      "confidence": 0.95,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not destroyed by fire in 1895.",
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      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes' conviction was for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel.",
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      "agreement_status": "court_established",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes attempted to burn down the building for insurance money.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Chicago police found no evidence of torture devices.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes confessed to 100 murders, but later recanted and claimed 27.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes' childhood was marked by physical abuse and cruelty to animals.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.7,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes designed a building with secret passages, trap doors, and torture chambers.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not a hotel.",
      "category": "other",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.85,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes killed at least 27 women.",
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      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Jeff Mudgett, a descendant of H.H. Holmes, is seeking to exhume his grave for DNA testing.",
      "category": "person",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The site of the 'Murder Castle' is now the Englewood Post Office.",
      "category": "location",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes designed a building with the intent to murder.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.7,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes was a pathological liar.",
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      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes confessed to 100 murders, later retracting to 27.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not destroyed by fire in 1895.",
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      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.95,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' remained standing for over 40 years.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "established",
      "confidence": 0.95,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes was convicted for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel.",
      "category": "outcome",
      "agreement_status": "court_established",
      "confidence": 1,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
      "quote_attribution": ""
    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes designed a building intended for murder.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.7,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was designed with trap doors.",
      "category": "evidence",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes was a pathological liar.",
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      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Chicago police found no evidence of crematorium facilities at the 'Murder Castle'.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.8,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "Holmes' confessions to murder numbers varied, from 100 down to 27.",
      "category": "timeline",
      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.9,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "The 'Murder Castle' was not a hotel for even a single day.",
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      "agreement_status": "reported",
      "confidence": 0.85,
      "is_quotable": false,
      "quote_text": "",
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    },
    {
      "claim_text": "H. H. Holmes' criminal enterprise was centered around the 1893 World's Fair.",
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      "agreement_status": "established",
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    {
      "url": "http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/holmes/holmeslinks.html",
      "title": "H.H. Holmes (Herman Mudgett) Trial",
      "publisher": "University of Missouri-Kansas City",
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    {
      "url": "https://news.wttw.com/2017/05/10/true-history-hh-holmes-examines-life-career-serial-killer",
      "title": "‘True History’ of H.H. Holmes Examines Life, Career of Serial Killer",
      "publisher": "WTTW",
      "tier": "secondary",
      "type": "news_article"
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    {
      "url": "https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/forensic_scholars_today/vol1/iss2/4",
      "title": "H.H. Holmes: One of America's First Recorded Serial Murderers",
      "publisher": "Concordia University St. Paul",
      "tier": "tertiary",
      "type": "other"
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    {
      "url": "https://nbcchicago.com/news/local/descendant-hh-holmes-reveals-what-he-found-serial-killers-grave/19961",
      "title": "Descendant of H.H. Holmes Reveals What He Found at Serial Killer’s Gravesite – NBC Chicago",
      "publisher": "NBC Chicago",
      "tier": "secondary",
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    {
      "url": "https://historycollection.com/18-facts-most-people-didnt-know-about-h-h-holmes/9",
      "title": "18 Facts Most People Didn't Know about H. H. Holmes",
      "publisher": "History Collection",
      "tier": "tertiary",
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}