Larry Hall, born on December 11, 1962, had a difficult start in life. Immediately after birth, he faced health complications due to a lack of oxygen, leading to concerns about his overall development.
Unlike his dominant identical brother, Larry was anti-social and had a low IQ of 85. Growing up in a cemetery in Wabash, where he helped his father dig graves, further shaped his perception of the world.
Things seemed to change socially for Larry when he discovered his passion for Civil War and Revolutionary War re-enactments after graduating high school. However, this interest also had a darker side.
It provided him with the perfect cover to satisfy his violent sexual urges while traveling across the Midwest. Authorities suspect that Larry may be responsible for the mysterious disappearances and possible murders of up to 40 young women from at least a dozen states between 1980 and 1994.
The Crimes of Larry Hall and Subsequent Investigation
Larry Hall managed to avoid attracting attention by skillfully eliminating any evidence related to his crimes. However, his activities came under scrutiny when the police investigated the case of Jessica Roach, a 15-year-old girl who went missing in September 1993.
Her remains were discovered in an Indiana cornfield weeks after her disappearance. Reports of a man in a van trying to pick up young girls in the area led the investigators to Larry.
According to records, Larry “immediately flinched” when shown a picture of Jessica during his initial questioning in his hometown. However, he denied knowing her. Subsequently, he confessed to raping and strangling her with belts.
He also hinted at harming several other women but retracted his statements the next day. Despite the retraction, incriminating evidence found in his home and van, including notes that mentioned joggers, bikers, buying condoms, and observing potential victims, were enough for his arrest.
Where is Larry Hall Now?
Larry Hall’s case was handled by federal authorities due to its cross-border nature. Although circumstantial explanations were available, Larry’s conviction was based on the details he revealed in his confession, which only someone involved in the crime would know.
Moreover, newspaper clippings related to Jessica’s case, as well as another case, and altered pornographic photos were discovered in his possession, further damaging his defense. Consequently, Larry was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Around 1996-1997, Larry Hall appealed his conviction, prompting the FBI to seek the help of Jimmy Keene to gather incriminating information.
Although Jimmy learned many details, such as Larry’s use of a starter fluid-soaked rag to sedate his victims and a map marked with red dots indicating potential crime scenes across three states, he couldn’t uncover the precise locations of Larry’s other victims’ remains.
Nevertheless, Jimmy’s efforts played a significant role in upholding Larry’s original verdict.
Currently, at the age of 59, Larry Hall is incarcerated at the all-male Federal Correctional Institution Butner Medium II in North Carolina. He is expected to spend the remainder of his life behind bars. According to the series ‘Black Bird,’ which is based on true events, Larry attempted suicide after his failed appeal but was unsuccessful.
He has also made additional confessions about further killings, only to retract them later, adding to the complexity and mystery surrounding his case.
In conclusion, Larry Hall’s disturbing past and alleged involvement in numerous disappearances and murders have earned him the reputation of a prolific serial killer. Despite his attempts to evade capture and eliminate evidence, he was eventually apprehended and convicted for his crimes.
Today, Larry Hall resides in a federal correctional facility, where he is serving a life sentence. His case serves as a haunting reminder of the dark and terrifying realities that exist in our society.
