Home โ†’ Johann Otto Hoch (John Schmidt)
โš  FLAGGED
This is the documented grave of a convicted criminal. Information below comes from public records.

Johann Otto Hoch (John Schmidt)

1862 โ€“ February 23, 1906 Convicted 1905
Buried at: Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum , River Grove, Illinois ยท Unmarked grave area (Block 4 / Section 43; section renumbered and reused since burial)

Criminal History (Public Record)

Convicted and hanged in Chicago for the arsenic poisoning murder of his wife Marie Walcker (married December 1904; she died days later). He was suspected in the murders of up to 15 or more additional wives, though only convicted in this one case. He maintained innocence on the gallows. Executed February 23, 1906.

Background

Johann Otto Hoch (born John Schmidt) was a German-born bigamist and serial killer known as "Chicago's Bluebeard." He used numerous aliases while marrying (and allegedly poisoning) dozens of women across the United States, primarily wealthy widows.

Sources & Verification

All information on this site is drawn from publicly available records. We strongly recommend verifying directly with the cemetery and primary sources before making any decisions.

โš  Proximity Warning within ~5 miles

The following other flagged graves were found near this location:

Andrew Bogacki (Andrzej Bogacki)
Saint Adalbert Cemetery ยท ~4.33 miles away

Distances are approximate using the Haversine formula. Always confirm exact plot locations with the cemetery office.

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