Character List and Analysis
Minor Characters: Holmes Plot Characters
Clara A. Lovering
The first wife of H.H. Holmes, then known by his birth name Herman Mudgett, Clara A. Lovering marries Holmes in their home state of New Hampshire, only to be left by Holmes shortly thereafter.
Myrna Z. Belknap
Holmes's second wife, Myrna Z. Belknap is a voluptuous blonde who moves from Minnesota to Chicago for Holmes, becomes somewhat estranged from Holmes, and moves into her parents' home with their daughter Lucy once they move to Illinois.
Ned Conner
After moving to Chicago and into Holmes's building, Ned Conner operates the jewelry counter in Holmes's pharmacy. Conner becomes suspicious of Holmes, separates and divorces his wife who becomes involved with Holmes, leaves his daughter, and moves out of the building.
Gertrude Conner
Sister of Ned Conner, Gertrude "Gertie" Conner is a stunning dark-haired beauty who moves into Holmes's building with her brother Ned, sister-in-law, and niece. Gertie Conner becomes enchanted and then disgruntled with Holmes before moving back to Iowa, where she dies mysteriously and unexpectedly.
Julia Conner
Wife of Ned Conner, vulnerable Julia Conner moves into Holmes's building with her husband, separates and divorces her husband, becomes involved with Holmes and pregnant with his child, and is murdered by Holmes.
Pearl Conner
Daughter of Ned and Julia Conner, Pearl Conner becomes one of Holmes's many victims after he kills her mother.
Benjamin Pietzel
Benjamin Pietzel is an alcoholic carpenter and father of five whom Holmes hires to help construct his hotel and whom Holmes eventually kills.
Emeline Cigrand
Beautiful Lafayette, Indiana, native Emeline Cigrand is lured to Chicago by Holmes, who offers her a job and later proposes to her. Holmes then kills Emeline before she makes her planned exit from Chicago.
Minnie Williams
Holmes rekindles a former relationship with Minnie Williams after she moves to Chicago, marries her to con her out of her inheritance, and murders her.
Anna Williams
School teacher sister of Minnie Williams, Anna Williams accepts Holmes's invitation to Chicago, where he deceives her, manipulates her, and murders her.
Georgiana Yoke
Final love interest of Holmes in Chicago, Georgiana Yoke marries Holmes and travels around the country with him until he is arrested for insurance fraud.
Carrie Pietzel
Carrie Pietzel is the wife of Benjamin Pietzel, who is also manipulated in several ways by Holmes. Holmes convinces Carrie to let him take three of her children, whom he murders.
Howard Pietzel
Son of Carrie and Benjamin Pietzel, Howard Pietzel is murdered by Holmes in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Nellie Pietzel
Homesick daughter of Carrie and Benjamin Pietzel, Nellie Pietzel is murdered by Holmes in Toronto after traveling with him to several cities and writing numerous letters to her mother. The letters ultimately lead detectives to her body.
Alice Pietzel
Another homesick daughter of Carrie and Benjamin Pietzel, Alice Pietzel is also murdered by Holmes.