Wolf Family Murders
Mass Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Turtle Lake, North Dakota
TIME PERIOD
April 22, 1920
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
On April 22, 1920, the Wolf family, consisting of Jacob Wolf (41), his wife Beata (35), five of their six daughters aged 3 to 12, and a 13-year-old farmhand named Jacob Hofer, were brutally murdered at their farm near Turtle Lake, North Dakota. The perpetrator, Heinrich C. “Henry” Layer, a German-Russian immigrant, used a hatchet and a double-barreled shotgun in the attack, which remains the deadliest mass murder in North Dakota's history. The only survivor was the family's 8-month-old daughter, Emma Wolf. As of 2025, the case remains a significant historical reference point, with ongoing discussions regarding the motivations behind the crime and its implications within the community.
The primary theory surrounding the Wolf family murders is that Heinrich C. “Henry” Layer, the perpetrator, acted out of a personal grievance against the family, potentially related to a financial dispute or issues stemming from his employment. Some speculate that Layer may have been mentally unstable, leading to the brutal attack on the family. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Layer may have had accomplices or that the murders were premeditated rather than impulsive.
The Wolf Family Murders: A Tale of Tragedy and Justice
On a seemingly ordinary day, April 22, 1920, a tranquil farmhouse near Turtle Lake, North Dakota became the chilling scene of one of the most heinous crimes in the state's history. The Wolf family, well-known in the community, was mercilessly slaughtered, leaving an indelible mark on the quiet rural landscape.
The Horrific Discovery
Jacob Wolf, a 41-year-old farmer of German descent, alongside his wife Beata, aged 35, was found murdered on their family farm. Their five young daughters—Bertha, 12, Maria, 9, Edna, 7, Liddia, 5, and Martha, 3—were also brutally killed. Adding to the tragedy was the murder of 13-year-old Jacob Hofer, a farmhand who had been working alongside the family. Miraculously, the only survivor was Emma Wolf, a mere 8 months old, who was discovered unharmed amidst the carnage.
The Weapon of Choice
The perpetrator of this brutal crime wielded a hatchet and a double-barreled shotgun, executing a massacre that would go down as the worst mass murder in North Dakota's history, a grim title it holds as of 2025.
The Perpetrator: Henry Layer
The investigation led authorities to Heinrich C. "Henry" Layer, a German-Russian immigrant whose life was steeped in complexities. Born in Eigenfeld, Akkermansky Uyezd, within the Bessarabia Governorate of the Russian Empire, Henry emigrated to the United States with his family in 1886. The Layers settled near Ashley, North Dakota, where Henry lived until 1916.
Henry's personal life was turbulent. In 1904, he married Mathilda Miller, with whom he had two children. However, the marriage ended in divorce in March 1911. A year later, he married Lydia Brokofsky Hinzman, and they expanded their family with six children. The Layers made Turtle Lake their home in 1916, establishing a farm and integrating into the community. Yet, beneath this facade of normalcy, tensions simmered.
Motive and Arrest
The investigation unraveled a motive rooted in a mix of personal vendetta and unforeseen circumstance. Reports suggest that an altercation over an injured cow sparked the murderous rampage. On this fateful day, Henry took the lives of eight individuals in a fit of rage.
The evidence against Henry was overwhelming, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial. His heinous actions shocked the community, and justice was served as he was found guilty of the brutal murders.
Legacy of the Tragedy
The Wolf family murders remain a dark chapter in North Dakota's history, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the depths of human cruelty. As time has passed, the memory of the victims endures, stirring discussions about motive, justice, and the societal impact of such violent acts.
See Also
For those interested in similar stories, the case of Charles Bannon, who was lynched in Schafer, North Dakota after murdering a family of six on a farm, offers another chilling narrative within the same state.
Sources
For further information, the following sources provide a deeper insight into the Wolf family murders:
- Briggs, Tracy (15 April 2021). "Was North Dakota's worst mass murder a hate crime or politically charged lies? The Turtle Lake Murders." parkrapidsenterprise.com. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- Roehl, Taylor. "The Murdered Family." themurderedfamily.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- "The Wolf Family Murders: A Brutal Crime in Small Town North Dakota." The Lineup. 5 April 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Key Characters in the story about the Wolf family murders." themurderedfamily.com.
- "Death of Henry Layer." March 21, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- Martin, Andrew (5 September 2024). "Henry Layer, The Man Who Murdered A Family Of 8 Because Of An Injured Cow." Medium. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
For those wishing to expand their knowledge, the Wikipedia URL is available: Wolf family murders on Wikipedia
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Wolf Family Murders
Jacob Wolf, his wife Beata, five daughters, and a farmhand are found murdered at their farm.
Investigation Begins
Local authorities initiate an investigation into the brutal murders of the Wolf family.
Suspect Identified
Heinrich C. Layer is identified as a suspect in the murders due to a dispute over a cow.
Layer Arrested
Heinrich Layer is arrested in connection with the murders after a manhunt.
Layer's Confession
Heinrich Layer confesses to the murders, detailing the events leading to the attack.
Trial Begins
The trial of Heinrich Layer for the Wolf family murders begins, drawing significant public attention.
Layer Found Guilty
Heinrich Layer is found guilty of the murders and sentenced to life in prison.
Death of Heinrich Layer
Heinrich Layer dies in prison, marking the end of the case's direct connection to the perpetrator.
On April 22, 1920, the Wolf family, consisting of Jacob Wolf (41), his wife Beata (35), five of their six daughters aged 3 to 12, and a 13-year-old farmhand named Jacob Hofer, were brutally murdered at their farm near Turtle Lake, North Dakota. The perpetrator, Heinrich C. “Henry” Layer, a German-Russian immigrant, used a hatchet and a double-barreled shotgun in the attack, which remains the deadliest mass murder in North Dakota's history. The only survivor was the family's 8-month-old daughter, Emma Wolf. As of 2025, the case remains a significant historical reference point, with ongoing discussions regarding the motivations behind the crime and its implications within the community.
The primary theory surrounding the Wolf family murders is that Heinrich C. “Henry” Layer, the perpetrator, acted out of a personal grievance against the family, potentially related to a financial dispute or issues stemming from his employment. Some speculate that Layer may have been mentally unstable, leading to the brutal attack on the family. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Layer may have had accomplices or that the murders were premeditated rather than impulsive.
The Wolf Family Murders: A Tale of Tragedy and Justice
On a seemingly ordinary day, April 22, 1920, a tranquil farmhouse near Turtle Lake, North Dakota became the chilling scene of one of the most heinous crimes in the state's history. The Wolf family, well-known in the community, was mercilessly slaughtered, leaving an indelible mark on the quiet rural landscape.
The Horrific Discovery
Jacob Wolf, a 41-year-old farmer of German descent, alongside his wife Beata, aged 35, was found murdered on their family farm. Their five young daughters—Bertha, 12, Maria, 9, Edna, 7, Liddia, 5, and Martha, 3—were also brutally killed. Adding to the tragedy was the murder of 13-year-old Jacob Hofer, a farmhand who had been working alongside the family. Miraculously, the only survivor was Emma Wolf, a mere 8 months old, who was discovered unharmed amidst the carnage.
The Weapon of Choice
The perpetrator of this brutal crime wielded a hatchet and a double-barreled shotgun, executing a massacre that would go down as the worst mass murder in North Dakota's history, a grim title it holds as of 2025.
The Perpetrator: Henry Layer
The investigation led authorities to Heinrich C. "Henry" Layer, a German-Russian immigrant whose life was steeped in complexities. Born in Eigenfeld, Akkermansky Uyezd, within the Bessarabia Governorate of the Russian Empire, Henry emigrated to the United States with his family in 1886. The Layers settled near Ashley, North Dakota, where Henry lived until 1916.
Henry's personal life was turbulent. In 1904, he married Mathilda Miller, with whom he had two children. However, the marriage ended in divorce in March 1911. A year later, he married Lydia Brokofsky Hinzman, and they expanded their family with six children. The Layers made Turtle Lake their home in 1916, establishing a farm and integrating into the community. Yet, beneath this facade of normalcy, tensions simmered.
Motive and Arrest
The investigation unraveled a motive rooted in a mix of personal vendetta and unforeseen circumstance. Reports suggest that an altercation over an injured cow sparked the murderous rampage. On this fateful day, Henry took the lives of eight individuals in a fit of rage.
The evidence against Henry was overwhelming, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial. His heinous actions shocked the community, and justice was served as he was found guilty of the brutal murders.
Legacy of the Tragedy
The Wolf family murders remain a dark chapter in North Dakota's history, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the depths of human cruelty. As time has passed, the memory of the victims endures, stirring discussions about motive, justice, and the societal impact of such violent acts.
See Also
For those interested in similar stories, the case of Charles Bannon, who was lynched in Schafer, North Dakota after murdering a family of six on a farm, offers another chilling narrative within the same state.
Sources
For further information, the following sources provide a deeper insight into the Wolf family murders:
- Briggs, Tracy (15 April 2021). "Was North Dakota's worst mass murder a hate crime or politically charged lies? The Turtle Lake Murders." parkrapidsenterprise.com. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- Roehl, Taylor. "The Murdered Family." themurderedfamily.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- "The Wolf Family Murders: A Brutal Crime in Small Town North Dakota." The Lineup. 5 April 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
- "Key Characters in the story about the Wolf family murders." themurderedfamily.com.
- "Death of Henry Layer." March 21, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
- Martin, Andrew (5 September 2024). "Henry Layer, The Man Who Murdered A Family Of 8 Because Of An Injured Cow." Medium. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
For those wishing to expand their knowledge, the Wikipedia URL is available: Wolf family murders on Wikipedia
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...
Wolf Family Murders
Jacob Wolf, his wife Beata, five daughters, and a farmhand are found murdered at their farm.
Investigation Begins
Local authorities initiate an investigation into the brutal murders of the Wolf family.
Suspect Identified
Heinrich C. Layer is identified as a suspect in the murders due to a dispute over a cow.
Layer Arrested
Heinrich Layer is arrested in connection with the murders after a manhunt.
Layer's Confession
Heinrich Layer confesses to the murders, detailing the events leading to the attack.
Trial Begins
The trial of Heinrich Layer for the Wolf family murders begins, drawing significant public attention.
Layer Found Guilty
Heinrich Layer is found guilty of the murders and sentenced to life in prison.
Death of Heinrich Layer
Heinrich Layer dies in prison, marking the end of the case's direct connection to the perpetrator.