Stuff You Should Know SYSK’s Fall True Crime Playlist: The Tale of the Bloody Benders
Sep 26, 2025
Explore the chilling tale of the infamous Bloody Benders, a family who lured unsuspecting travelers to their Kansas homestead in the 1870s. Discover their sinister methods as hosts reveal gruesome discoveries at Drum Creek and a trap door that leads to a cellar of secrets. Tales of eyewitness escapes and the subsequent manhunt highlight the dark fascination with this unsolved mystery. With modern investigations into their identities and cultural references, this story captivates and horrifies, leaving lingering questions about the Benders' fate.
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Frontier Violence Enabled Hidden Crimes
- Kansas in the 1870s was frontier chaos that let dangerous people vanish into travel routes.
- That environment helped the Benders kill travelers without immediate suspicion.
Remote Inn With A Mysterious Medium
- The Benders set up a small 16x24 bunkhouse-style inn along the Osage Trail and advertised simple provisions.
- Kate later joined them offering mediumship, which drew travelers to their doorstep.
Early Victims Found Near Drum Creek
- Bodies with skulls bashed in and throats cut began turning up near Drum Creek in 1871.
- One victim, William Jones, had been carrying about $250, making robbery a plausible motive.
