North America is filled with stories of horrific crimes. The more gruesome the act, the greater the impact will be on the home, as well as the surrounding neighborhood.
Vicious acts of violence and mass suicide scar not only the homes the violence affected but also leave the signs of violence on the surrounding community. Homes are devalued because of their proximity to violence. The more gory or horrific the act the longer the stigma of violence will affect the community.
Here are a few examples of violent acts that have lingered in the minds of the masses.
Jeffery Dahmer’s Apartment: Dahmer’s Milwaukee apartment was the home to some of the grizzliest crimes ever. Since his arrest in 1991 for the murder of 12 people a community development group has demolished the building he called home. The site remains empty to this day.
John Wayne Gacy’s House: From 1972 to 1978 Gacy hid 29 of his 33 victims in the crawl space and walls of his suburban home on the outskirts of Chicago. The house was demolished in the search for additional victims. A new home was built on the site in 1988.
Heaven’s Gate House: 39 members of Heaven’s Gate cult committed suicide in Santa Fe, California. The house was bought in 1999 for less than $700,000, approximately half of its appraised value. The home has since been demolished.
Polk House: This 3500-square-foot home nestled on more than an acre of oaks is currently listed for $1,500,000, a relative bargain. However the new owner will have to live with the knowledge that convicted murderer Susan Polk brutally killed her husband in 2002 at this home. The county has since placed a lien on the property and in 2006 listed the property for sale to cover Susan Polk’s legal expenses.
Home of Federal Judge Joan Lefkow: Killer Bart Ross hid in the basement of the Lefkow home in a desirable North Lakewood neighborhood and surprised Michael Lefkow and Donna Humphrey. In 2005 the home was listed for sale, finally selling for $759,000 - well below the $900,000 appraised value.
These crime scenes stick in the minds of our collective consciousness. They don’t just stop with the impact of the crime but continue affecting the community for generations to come. The more grandiose the crime the greater the stigma the crime will have associated with it.
