The Horrors of Fox Hollow Farm: Unraveling the History & Hauntings of a Serial Killer’s House

By Richard Estep & Robert Graves

The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):

I have to start by saying that I’m excited that we have another serial killer haunting to explore. I am familiar with this location and can understand why it is haunted. The story, while horrific, is very interesting (as so many stories involving serial killers tend to be). Richard has a co-author along for the ride, Robert Graves, who happens to be the owner of Fox Hollow Farm and living there with his family. He also happens to be somewhat of an authority on all things Herbert Baumeister which is fantastic. Also, to my surprise and unexpected pleasure there are pictures of the grounds and some of the interior. You all know how much I love my pictures!

Chapters one through three give a brief outline of Herb Baumeister, his life and his crimes. Allow me to say that, in my humble opinion, there was nothing about Herb’s death that was related to the occult or anything else supernatural. Herb committed suicide, which would indeed be in-line with his psychology. Herb was never outwardly able to be himself, his authentic self (which is virtually impossible anymore). I have no doubt that he cared for his family but despite this they were part of his lie to the world around him and ultimately himself. I think that is at the heart of his death. Herb was never truly honest with himself about who he was. If you can’t be honest with yourself then how can you be honest with the rest of the world? A difficult task indeed. Suicide was inevitable. This is my opinion only, but ultimately one of the more logical in circulation. (once again Zak Bagans needs to keep his crap opinions to himself, stop sensationalizing things dude!)

Chapters four through eight details the history of the current owners relationship with the Fox Hollow Farm property and the experiences that they had. Experiences that prompted them to allow “Ghost Adventures” (Zak Bagans) into their home. My opinion on Mr. Bagans is not a favorable one as you all know. He is an entertainer at this point not a serious paranormal researcher. If he were he would not be willing to compromise the integrity of the field. If he ever was a truth-seeking investigator he has unfortunately thrown the truth seeker in him aside for celebrity and money. His “investigation” into Fox Hollow Farm should be taken with a plank of Himalayan pink salt or perhaps the salt flats in Utah. Putting my rant aside – chapter eight is an overview of Bagan’s “investigation”. (I can’t respect someone who damages the integrity of the field of paranormal research in such a blatant way on the regular, I just can’t. So if you like him, know that I respect your right to like him but I can’t respect him as a person. I just can’t.) These accounts conclude the first third of the book.

Chapter nine starts Richard’s investigation into Fox Hollow Farm. Prior to his teams arrival and the “Ghost Adventures” filming there have been several paranormal investigators and psychics invited to the house. The Graves family just want to know what’s going on and I can’t blame them. Robert Graves is not one to jump to conclusions and takes what he is told with a grain of salt so he definitely is open to truth-seeking investigations (which is the smart approach, suspect until reasonably proven true!). Personally I feel like there is no better person to help them in this endeavor than Richard Estep! Richard is a truth-seeking paranormal investigator and they can trust that he will do his research and be forthcoming with anything and everything that he finds (or doesn’t find, no sensationalism here!). Richard’s investigation is done in two visits that are eighteen months apart.

Chapters nine through eleven are the first lag of the investigation. Out of all the books I have read about Richard’s investigations this one would have to be one of the more active as far as paranormal activity. Richard makes a ballsy move by taking a swim that last night. One because of what happened to Joe but two because the heater had been turned off and the water was freezing. Does this count as a provisional member of the Polar Bear Club?

Chapter twelve starts the second half of Richard’s investigation. His team is smaller this time with only four and two of the four are new to the location. There are a couple of visiting individuals this time around. Joe LeBlanc makes another appearance (Robert Graves’s co-worker who lived in the in-laws quarters for a couple of years), Lisa Krick (a paranormal investigator and dark tourism event planner), Tony Harris (survivor of Herb Baumeister), and Brian Sanders (psychic medium). 

The last chapter kind of wraps things up. Leaving things open for the reader to decide for themselves the nature of the haunting. It is definitely multi-faceted in nature. The land itself has had a lot happen on it so the possibility that the spirits of the departed were there started before the murders ever happened is high.         

Closing thoughts:

An interesting location. One that gives pause for thought. We know that horrific things occurred at Fox Hollow Farm. At the same time good times were had there as well. Places are just like people, there are many different factors that make a place what it is. For those that think it’s a good idea to trespass on property that was once the site of horrific events be prepared to spend some time behind bars and or figuring out how you are going to pay fines. I’ve never really understood the appeal of wanting to get a look at these places. You are not going to see anything out of the ordinary. I would think that it would be somewhat of a letdown honestly. It’s a building and in this case someone’s home. The only reason I would want to see this particular location is because the house itself sounds amazingly beautiful. I have a thing for tudor style architecture. This one is 10,000 sq. ft. which is amazing.

As for the haunting itself well some interesting theories have been presented here. I’m particularly impressed and fascinated with what Brian Sanders had to say. At the same time and meaning no disrespect I have to take what Tony stated with a grain of salt. That’s not to say that some of the things he is saying are not true. I do think though that he loved Baumeister very much and that his judgment on these things may be colored by this fact. It is no less interesting to read what he had to say however and I have no doubt that he believes what he has said with his whole heart and soul.

My hope is that the victims have moved on. It’s heartbreaking to think that they would be spending the next journey of existence in the place where they met the end of the previous adventure, in such a horrific manor. I also hope that Herb had moved on. This hope then also raises the question of, if everyone has moved on what is haunting Fox Hollow? It’s rather a frightening prospect.    

Happy Devouring!

The Sexton