In the early morning hours of November 15, 1959, four members of the Clutter family—Herb Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their teenage children Nancy and Kenyon—were brutally murdered in their home in Holcomb, Kansas. The crime was committed by two ex-convicts, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who had planned the attack based on false information about a supposed safe containing cash. Both suspects were apprehended, tried, and found guilty of first-degree murder, receiving death sentences; they were executed on April 14, 1965. Significant evidence included confessions from both men and forensic details linking them to the crime scene, which were later detailed in Truman Capote's non-fiction novel "In Cold Blood."
Theories suggest that the murders were not just a robbery gone wrong, but rather a premeditated act by Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who had a history of criminal behavior. Some speculate that the killers targeted the Clutter family due to their perceived wealth and the belief that they would be easy victims in their rural home. Additionally, there are theories about the psychological motivations of Smith and Hickock, particularly regarding their troubled pasts and the dynamics of their partnership in crime.
The Clutter Family Murders: A Chilling Chronicle
Case Essentials
In the quiet hours of November 15, 1959, a brutal crime shattered the tranquil existence of the Clutter family, who resided just outside the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas. Herb Clutter, a well-respected farmer, his wife Bonnie, and their two teenage children, Nancy and Kenyon, were found murdered in their home. The culprits, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, were two ex-convicts with a sinister plan that culminated in this horrific event. Ultimately, they were found guilty and met their end on April 14, 1965, when the state of Kansas executed them. The grotesque murders later became infamous through Truman Capote’s masterful retelling in his 1966 non-fiction novel, In Cold Blood.
Background
Herbert "Herb" Clutter, a prosperous farmer in western Kansas, was a man of modest means who conducted all business transactions by check, contrary to rumors that he kept large sums of cash in a safe. His wife, Bonnie, struggled with clinical depression and physical ailments, although this description of her condition was subject to debate. Their daughters, Eveanna and Beverly, had already left home to start their adult lives, leaving Nancy, 16, and Kenyon, 15, living with them. Both teenagers attended Holcomb High School, where they were active in various extracurricular activities, including 4-H.
Meanwhile, Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, fresh out of the Kansas State Penitentiary, were plotting a new start. Floyd Wells, a former cellmate of Hickock's, had once worked for Herb Clutter and erroneously informed Hickock about the non-existent safe. This misinformation ignited Hickock’s imagination, leading him to contact Smith about robbing the Clutter family to fund their dream of a new life in Mexico. Hickock's grand plan, described by Capote as "a cinch, the perfect score," was far from reality.
The Murders
On the evening of November 14, 1959, Hickock and Smith embarked on a drive across Kansas, covering over 400 miles to reach the Clutter residence. Under the cover of night, they entered the home through an unlocked door. Waking the family from their slumber, they herded Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon into a bathroom upstairs, while Herb was taken to his first-floor office. The search for the mythical safe proved fruitless.
With their plan unraveling, they moved the family members to different locations within the house. Bonnie's hands were tied, and she was gagged before being placed in bed. Nancy, curiously, was not gagged, although her hands were bound. Herb and Kenyon were led to the basement, where Kenyon was initially tied to a pipe before being repositioned on a couch, and Herb was bound on a mattress box.
Frustrated by their failed search, Hickock and Smith debated their next move. In a fit of rage, Smith slashed Herb's throat and shot him in the head, setting off a grim sequence. In the adjoining playroom, Smith shot Kenyon before proceeding upstairs to kill Nancy, followed by Bonnie. Each met their end with a single shotgun blast to the head, with Herb having the additional indignity of a slit throat.
The pair fled the scene with a meager bounty: Kenyon’s Zenith radio, Herb’s binoculars, and less than $50 in cash. Despite knowledge of Herb's preference for checks, the killers left with little more than they had arrived with.
Smith later contended in his confession that Hickock had murdered Nancy and Bonnie, though he refused to sign the statement. Smith claimed responsibility for all four killings, purportedly out of pity for Hickock's mother, whom he described as "a real sweet person." Hickock, on the other hand, insisted that Smith alone was guilty of all the murders.
Victims
The Clutter family consisted of:
Herbert William "Herb" Clutter (May 24, 1911 – November 15, 1959), 48, was a successful farmer and community leader.
Bonnie Mae Fox Clutter (January 7, 1914 – November 15, 1959), 45, Herb's wife, who battled mental and physical health challenges.
Nancy Mae Clutter (January 2, 1943 – November 15, 1959), 16, a bright and popular high school junior, was active in 4-H and enjoyed baking and music.
Kenyon Neal Clutter (August 28, 1944 – November 15, 1959), 15, was a sophomore interested in woodworking and hunting, also active in 4-H.
Their funeral drew approximately 1,000 mourners to the First Methodist Church in Garden City, Kansas. The family was laid to rest at Valley View Cemetery, with a double headstone marking the parents' graves, flanked by Nancy and Kenyon's separate headstones.
Perpetrators
The men responsible for this heinous crime:
Perry Edward Smith (October 27, 1928 – April 14, 1965), 31 at the time of the murders, was executed at 36.
Richard Eugene "Dick" Hickock (June 6, 1931 – April 14, 1965), 28 at the time of the murders, was executed at 33.
Their capture came on December 30, following a relentless investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, the pair was extradited to Kansas, where a jury at the Finney County Courthouse found them guilty of four counts of first-degree murder. Their death sentences were carried out at the Kansas State Prison near Lansing, with Hickock meeting his fate first at 12:41 am, followed by Smith at 1:19 am.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote, intrigued by the shocking crime, ventured to Kansas to document the story, accompanied by his childhood friend Harper Lee. Through meticulous interviews with locals and law enforcement, Capote amassed an extensive collection of notes. His efforts culminated in In Cold Blood, published in 1966. The book swiftly became a bestseller and remains a seminal work in true crime literature, second only to Vincent Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter.
Film and Television Adaptations
The Clutter family murders and Capote's book have inspired numerous adaptations:
- In Cold Blood (1967 film) featured Robert Blake as Smith and Scott Wilson as Hickock.
- In Cold Blood (1996 TV miniseries) saw Eric Roberts as Smith and Anthony Edwards as Hickock.
- Capote (2005 film), with Clifton Collins Jr. as Smith, Mark Pellegrino as Hickock, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal.
- Infamous (2006 film), with Daniel Craig as Smith and Lee Pace as Hickock.
- A Crime to Remember: "Once Upon a Crime" (2013–2018 documentary series), depicting the crime through dramatization and expert interviews.
Sources
For more detailed accounts and references, visit the Wikipedia page on the Clutter family murders.
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Clutter Family Murdered
Herb, Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon Clutter are murdered in their home by Perry Smith and Richard Hickock.
Suspects Arrested
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock are arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, six weeks after the murders.
Trial Begins
The trial of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock begins in Finney County Courthouse.
Guilty Verdict
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock are found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder.
Executions
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock are executed by hanging at Kansas State Prison.
In Cold Blood Published
Truman Capote's book detailing the Clutter family murders, 'In Cold Blood', is published.
In the early morning hours of November 15, 1959, four members of the Clutter family—Herb Clutter, his wife Bonnie, and their teenage children Nancy and Kenyon—were brutally murdered in their home in Holcomb, Kansas. The crime was committed by two ex-convicts, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who had planned the attack based on false information about a supposed safe containing cash. Both suspects were apprehended, tried, and found guilty of first-degree murder, receiving death sentences; they were executed on April 14, 1965. Significant evidence included confessions from both men and forensic details linking them to the crime scene, which were later detailed in Truman Capote's non-fiction novel "In Cold Blood."
Theories suggest that the murders were not just a robbery gone wrong, but rather a premeditated act by Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, who had a history of criminal behavior. Some speculate that the killers targeted the Clutter family due to their perceived wealth and the belief that they would be easy victims in their rural home. Additionally, there are theories about the psychological motivations of Smith and Hickock, particularly regarding their troubled pasts and the dynamics of their partnership in crime.
The Clutter Family Murders: A Chilling Chronicle
Case Essentials
In the quiet hours of November 15, 1959, a brutal crime shattered the tranquil existence of the Clutter family, who resided just outside the small farming community of Holcomb, Kansas. Herb Clutter, a well-respected farmer, his wife Bonnie, and their two teenage children, Nancy and Kenyon, were found murdered in their home. The culprits, Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, were two ex-convicts with a sinister plan that culminated in this horrific event. Ultimately, they were found guilty and met their end on April 14, 1965, when the state of Kansas executed them. The grotesque murders later became infamous through Truman Capote’s masterful retelling in his 1966 non-fiction novel, In Cold Blood.
Background
Herbert "Herb" Clutter, a prosperous farmer in western Kansas, was a man of modest means who conducted all business transactions by check, contrary to rumors that he kept large sums of cash in a safe. His wife, Bonnie, struggled with clinical depression and physical ailments, although this description of her condition was subject to debate. Their daughters, Eveanna and Beverly, had already left home to start their adult lives, leaving Nancy, 16, and Kenyon, 15, living with them. Both teenagers attended Holcomb High School, where they were active in various extracurricular activities, including 4-H.
Meanwhile, Richard "Dick" Hickock and Perry Edward Smith, fresh out of the Kansas State Penitentiary, were plotting a new start. Floyd Wells, a former cellmate of Hickock's, had once worked for Herb Clutter and erroneously informed Hickock about the non-existent safe. This misinformation ignited Hickock’s imagination, leading him to contact Smith about robbing the Clutter family to fund their dream of a new life in Mexico. Hickock's grand plan, described by Capote as "a cinch, the perfect score," was far from reality.
The Murders
On the evening of November 14, 1959, Hickock and Smith embarked on a drive across Kansas, covering over 400 miles to reach the Clutter residence. Under the cover of night, they entered the home through an unlocked door. Waking the family from their slumber, they herded Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon into a bathroom upstairs, while Herb was taken to his first-floor office. The search for the mythical safe proved fruitless.
With their plan unraveling, they moved the family members to different locations within the house. Bonnie's hands were tied, and she was gagged before being placed in bed. Nancy, curiously, was not gagged, although her hands were bound. Herb and Kenyon were led to the basement, where Kenyon was initially tied to a pipe before being repositioned on a couch, and Herb was bound on a mattress box.
Frustrated by their failed search, Hickock and Smith debated their next move. In a fit of rage, Smith slashed Herb's throat and shot him in the head, setting off a grim sequence. In the adjoining playroom, Smith shot Kenyon before proceeding upstairs to kill Nancy, followed by Bonnie. Each met their end with a single shotgun blast to the head, with Herb having the additional indignity of a slit throat.
The pair fled the scene with a meager bounty: Kenyon’s Zenith radio, Herb’s binoculars, and less than $50 in cash. Despite knowledge of Herb's preference for checks, the killers left with little more than they had arrived with.
Smith later contended in his confession that Hickock had murdered Nancy and Bonnie, though he refused to sign the statement. Smith claimed responsibility for all four killings, purportedly out of pity for Hickock's mother, whom he described as "a real sweet person." Hickock, on the other hand, insisted that Smith alone was guilty of all the murders.
Victims
The Clutter family consisted of:
Herbert William "Herb" Clutter (May 24, 1911 – November 15, 1959), 48, was a successful farmer and community leader.
Bonnie Mae Fox Clutter (January 7, 1914 – November 15, 1959), 45, Herb's wife, who battled mental and physical health challenges.
Nancy Mae Clutter (January 2, 1943 – November 15, 1959), 16, a bright and popular high school junior, was active in 4-H and enjoyed baking and music.
Kenyon Neal Clutter (August 28, 1944 – November 15, 1959), 15, was a sophomore interested in woodworking and hunting, also active in 4-H.
Their funeral drew approximately 1,000 mourners to the First Methodist Church in Garden City, Kansas. The family was laid to rest at Valley View Cemetery, with a double headstone marking the parents' graves, flanked by Nancy and Kenyon's separate headstones.
Perpetrators
The men responsible for this heinous crime:
Perry Edward Smith (October 27, 1928 – April 14, 1965), 31 at the time of the murders, was executed at 36.
Richard Eugene "Dick" Hickock (June 6, 1931 – April 14, 1965), 28 at the time of the murders, was executed at 33.
Their capture came on December 30, following a relentless investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, the pair was extradited to Kansas, where a jury at the Finney County Courthouse found them guilty of four counts of first-degree murder. Their death sentences were carried out at the Kansas State Prison near Lansing, with Hickock meeting his fate first at 12:41 am, followed by Smith at 1:19 am.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote, intrigued by the shocking crime, ventured to Kansas to document the story, accompanied by his childhood friend Harper Lee. Through meticulous interviews with locals and law enforcement, Capote amassed an extensive collection of notes. His efforts culminated in In Cold Blood, published in 1966. The book swiftly became a bestseller and remains a seminal work in true crime literature, second only to Vincent Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter.
Film and Television Adaptations
The Clutter family murders and Capote's book have inspired numerous adaptations:
- In Cold Blood (1967 film) featured Robert Blake as Smith and Scott Wilson as Hickock.
- In Cold Blood (1996 TV miniseries) saw Eric Roberts as Smith and Anthony Edwards as Hickock.
- Capote (2005 film), with Clifton Collins Jr. as Smith, Mark Pellegrino as Hickock, and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Capote, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal.
- Infamous (2006 film), with Daniel Craig as Smith and Lee Pace as Hickock.
- A Crime to Remember: "Once Upon a Crime" (2013–2018 documentary series), depicting the crime through dramatization and expert interviews.
Sources
For more detailed accounts and references, visit the Wikipedia page on the Clutter family murders.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Clutter Family Murdered
Herb, Bonnie, Nancy, and Kenyon Clutter are murdered in their home by Perry Smith and Richard Hickock.
Suspects Arrested
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock are arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, six weeks after the murders.
Trial Begins
The trial of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock begins in Finney County Courthouse.
Guilty Verdict
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock are found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder.
Executions
Perry Smith and Richard Hickock are executed by hanging at Kansas State Prison.
In Cold Blood Published
Truman Capote's book detailing the Clutter family murders, 'In Cold Blood', is published.