Clutter family home for sale.

I was meandering around the internet the other day and discovered that the Clutter family home in Holcomb, Kansas (which is near the towns where I went school as a youth and the town my parents currently live) is for sale.

http://www.faulknerrealestate.com/index.cfm?show=10&mid=430

I note it because it’s interesting to see the house and interior now, after having seen all the horrific photos of it as a crime scene. Here are some photos:

*A note-I tried to get these photos to align right and I seem to be missing something, but I can’t figure out what. My apologies.

One of the bedrooms:

Another bedroom:


A modern look down the tree path that leads to the home, which was so aptly described in Truman Capote’s book:


And a look into the basement, where Herb Clutter was killed:

It’s a very lovely home, and the current owners (since 1990), the Maders, are the third owners. I hope that some family can make it their own and erase some of that bad “vibes”, for lack of a better word.
Related, while I was looking for some other photos for this post, I also found this:

http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/galleries/2005/apr/03/in_cold_blood_a_legacy_in_photos/

It’s a photo essay in the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World commemorating the 40th anniversary of the book. Included are several photos highlighting the fun and functional parts of the home-which Herb Clutter designed and built himself.

This is a link to the entire series featured in the LJWorld-definitely a must-read for anyone who is interested in the story:

http://ljworld.com/specials/incoldblood/

And finally, this is a great story from that series about the Clutter home:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/apr/06/in_the_end/

Published in: on March 13, 2007 at 8:09 pm Comments (44)

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  1. On August 7, 2007 at 6:32 pm Trisha Said:

    Is this house still for sale?

  2. On August 8, 2007 at 4:51 pm historicaltruecrime Said:

    Last I checked-and it’s been about a month-it was.

  3. On August 19, 2007 at 6:05 pm Ken Said:

    You mentioned that you’ve seen the clutter crime scene photos. I’ve been all over the web and cant seem to find them. Can you provide any info?

  4. On August 19, 2007 at 7:00 pm historicaltruecrime Said:

    I think the photos I mentioned were a part of an A&E Special on the murders. And as I recall, there were only a few of them.

  5. On January 20, 2008 at 8:08 pm Greer Said:

    is this house still for sale?

  6. On February 1, 2008 at 2:23 pm Robert Bailey Said:

    Hi,
    Reading thru the posts, I see that someone else is having a difficult time finding any type of crime scene photos. I teach a criminal justice class on infamous crimes in the 20th century and have taught about the Clutter murders and Capote’s time in Holcomb. If anyone could point me towards a site with the photo’s (thye pics that were used in the “A & E” show would be fine)it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.

  7. On February 1, 2008 at 6:45 pm historicaltruecrime Said:

    I am not sure they are available online. But I did find out that the Finney County Library (in Garden City, Kansas) has a nice big digital file of photos related to the case. I didn’t have time to go through them all, but if you’re really desperate, that might be a good place to call and ask.

  8. On February 23, 2008 at 3:03 pm Blaesi Said:

    Here is one link to file photos related to the Clutter murder.

    http://www2.ljworld.com/photos/galleries/2005/apr/03/in_cold_blood_a_legacy_in_photos/

  9. On April 17, 2008 at 4:19 am Sara Said:

    http://bookchase.blogspot.com/2007/05/in-cold-blood.html

    Someone posted footage of a visit to Holcomb… Brief view of crime scene photos @ 2:45

  10. On April 21, 2008 at 1:29 am John Said:

    Hello! How much was the house on the market for? And is it still for sale do you know?
    I think its a very interesting piece of proptery considering that herb built it!

  11. On May 4, 2008 at 6:03 am Evinrude Said:

    The Finney County Sheriff’s Office needs to give up the dirt as I’m sure they have the crime scene photographs.

  12. On June 11, 2008 at 11:02 am Denise Lingle Said:

    If anyone is still looking for crime scene photos of the Clutter family, amazon has two copies of the A &E documentary. There are crime scene photos in there and these are like hen’s teeth to find. You might see if they are still available.

  13. On October 6, 2008 at 3:39 pm Tom Said:

    The Finney County Sheriff’s Office has the crime scene photos and I believe anyone with a legitimate purpose can see them by making an appointment. I did a documentary on the case and we were allowed to see the photos.

  14. On October 31, 2008 at 11:07 pm bambi Said:

    house is not for sale any longer.

  15. On December 4, 2008 at 2:09 am kate Said:

    I was wondering; if anyone knows the address to the clutter house? please let me know.

  16. On January 5, 2009 at 9:06 pm Marv Said:

    Wonder if anyone’s ever considered turning the Clutter Home into a B&B ? This may sound odd, but I’ve always wanted to visit the place. Read the book in early 1970’s and have been quite haunted by it since. Met the now-grown children of Mrs. Helm, the housekeeper, online, around 2002, and we communicated for awhile, but I lost touch with them. They were very kind people.

  17. On February 10, 2009 at 7:57 pm Mark A David Said:

    Hi…I’ve been to the Clutter house 4 times, from 1969-2002…I have Mabel Helms”s (the Clutter’s housekeeper) son and daughter’s email address, if you like…they made a keepsake tape of their mother telling what all happened back in 1959..It was made when she was 90 years old in a Ponca City, Oklahoma nursing home..very interesting! The only crime scene photos of the Clutter’s I have ever saw, were on A&E’s “American Justice”…Eveanna married Bill Mosier, after Don Jarchow passed away in 1970..Vere and Beverly English and Eveanna and family live near each other…The Garden City Telegram made a CD with about everything pertaining to the crime..back in 2001 or 2002…I went by there and got that…AFTER having already spent a dime a page, of it at the library…came to over 200 pages…lol….Mark

  18. On February 27, 2009 at 4:09 am Chaundelyne Said:

    There’s documentary footage on youtube that features pics of the crime scene which I believe only shows three of the four murdered in the home.

  19. On March 11, 2009 at 4:02 am Angela Said:

    Do you know what the documentary is called on youtube? I haven’t been able to find anything. Thanks!

  20. On May 12, 2009 at 4:11 pm Wendle Meier's Grandson Said:

    This is so interesting, that after almost 50 years since all this took place, there is still interest in what happened. For you that have read “In Cold Blood” know that Earle Robinson and my grandfather, Wendle Meier, were the first two law enforcement officers to the scene of the crime and my grandmother Joise cooked for the prisoners in the county jail. After my grandfather pasted away in 2004, I inherited a satchel of items that were Perry Smith’s. Alot of interesting stuff. What is really interesting is that Perry gave this satchel to my grandmother after they were sentenced and sent to death row in Lansing, KS. I’ve been holding on to it because it means more to me than most people and because of the realtionship Perry and my grandmother struck up while he was staying in the ladies cell at the county jail. I do have an inventory of the items and pictures if anyone is interested and I would be more than happy to share with you what I have in an email.

  21. On May 20, 2009 at 10:38 pm pribDedrisp Said:

    Wonderful site=) will visit once again,,

  22. On June 16, 2009 at 2:42 am In Cold Blood fan Said:

    @ Wendle Meier’s Grandson-

    I’d be really facinated to hear some of your grandmother’s experiences with Perry. I’m reading ICB for the second time and find him the most interesting character in the book (as I’m sure most people do).

    I would really appreciate if you emailed me about it at diaznf@hotmail.com

  23. On June 26, 2009 at 2:00 pm Smart Chick Said:

    I am reading In Cold Blood for the very first time. For my advace english 3 class. I’m not all the way through it yet but I find it very fasintating.(excuse my spelling) If anyone has any other websites I could go on so I can research the family my email address is piratelv8@aol.com.
    Thank you

  24. On July 17, 2009 at 8:08 pm Jeff Balaam Said:

    I’m interested in buying any CLUTTER items…..Especially anything from the house or the 1959 & 1960 Holcomb yeardbooks. Call me (760) 318-1977

  25. On July 17, 2009 at 8:09 pm Jeff Balaam Said:

    I also have crime scene photos. $50 for 8X10s…….

  26. On September 11, 2009 at 1:01 am Anna Said:

    to Wendle Meier’s Grandson :

    I am such a fan of “In Cold Blood” and more than interested everything about it and especially Perry Smith. So I would be very grateful if you could email me about your material:

    ankka23@windowslive.com

  27. On September 29, 2009 at 1:55 am Teacups Said:

    Wendle Meier’s Grandson – - Hello. I would love to contact you to discuss seeing the items you have. Thank you! :)

    pinkroses@arkansas.net

  28. On October 10, 2009 at 8:55 pm Arnold97 Said:

    When I see a child with his or her parents, I feel envious and happy for the child at the same time. ,

  29. On October 18, 2009 at 10:46 pm Nicole Said:

    Wendle Meier’s grandson— Ive been reading ICB this year. I absolutely loved it. I find it so interesting how you have some of Perry Smith’s belongings! When I read your post, it blew my mind. I would LOVE if its not too much of a burden for you to email me those pictures or footage you have from him or the Clutter case overall. My email is: Kiwimandie@aol.com
    Thank you in advance, and hope to have contact with you soon.

  30. On October 22, 2009 at 7:06 am Jeff Balaam Said:

    I also have the CHRIST painting by Perry Smith…and I’m looking for any other items pertaining to the Clutters or the case. (760) 832-8533….Any of you going top Holcomb for the 50Th Anniversary? I am!

  31. On October 22, 2009 at 7:07 am Jeff Balaam Said:

    Yes I also would like pictures and footage that you have to share…you can email me at jefferama@aol.com

  32. On October 22, 2009 at 4:42 pm Emma S Said:

    To Wendle Meier’s Grandson,
    I’m 16 and I’m studying In Cold Blood for my A Level English Combined Class. I’ve finished reading the book and I got so totally engrossed in it. I’ve never read anything like it before and I loved it to the point where I’ve been researching everything I can find about it. I would absolutley love it if you could email me the footage and pictures you have. I’m so intrigued about Perry and I would love to see anything you have! They would amaze me! Thankyou! :D

  33. On October 22, 2009 at 4:43 pm Emma S Said:

    Oops! I forgot my email! Typical – EMMASTORii2KAii7@hotmail.com
    Thank in advance! It would be so amazing if you could email anything you have! :)

  34. On October 22, 2009 at 7:29 pm SouthWind85 Said:

    Pathfinder – July 24, 2009 at 8:51 pmInteresting exposures. ,

  35. On October 23, 2009 at 7:29 pm jonathan Said:

    TO WENDLE MEIER’s GRANDSON:

    I am from the Philippines and just completed reading the book IN COLD BLOOD tonight. Can you share what you have through this email? ATHAN@ONSEMI.COM. I loved her relationship with Perry and wonder if your Grandma really liked Perry as described in the book

  36. On November 5, 2009 at 6:15 am KAM Said:

    I’m reading In Cold Blood for my AP English Composition class and am very interested in the entire case. I would like to visit the Clutter home. If anyone has the exact address that would be fantastic. Also if anyone can tell me the grave sites of the Clutter family, as well as Perry and Dick that would be even better. Also if anyone can lead me to any sites where I could learn more about the case I would be very grateful. You can e-mail me at willbenm@yahoo.com.

  37. On November 8, 2009 at 4:37 pm Teresa in Texas Said:

    In Cold Blood is such a haunting book and story. I re-read it every November. I guess it’s my “tribute” to the Clutter family. I really don’t care about Dick and Perry…it is the Clutter family that haunts me. Maybe it is because I have found so many similarities in the Clutter family and my family’s lives (horse named “Babe”, 4-H members, enter baked goods into county fair, live at the end of a long, tree lined driveway in a rural community, boy and girl children living at home, and a bunch more stuff…). Their story has become one of my “obsessions”, I guess, and I think of them every November. I know that the Clutters are remembered by many and for some reason I find that comforting.

  38. On November 10, 2009 at 12:54 am Angela Said:

    I am currently reading ICB. I have been scouring online for the Clutter house layout/floorplan, as well as interior and exterior pictures. Interested in building it on our farmland. Anyone know where I can locate these online?

  39. On November 10, 2009 at 8:29 am Lauren Said:

    If anyone is still having trouble finding the crime scene photos, I stumbled across these today:

    http://www.gcpolice.org/History/Clutter/Pictures_for_Clutters.htm

    They’re what you’d expect for 1959 in terms of quality, but absolutely heartbreaking – particularly the photo of Kenyon after the murders.

  40. On November 10, 2009 at 6:48 pm Ashley Said:

    I am a junior in highschool, and we read In Cold Blood my Sophomore year. i absolutely loved the book-couldn’t put it down.I am now doing a paper on the Clutters. if anyone has ANY good sources for me- let me know. please & thank you! I would really love to have some of the crime scene photos. that would be great. thanks! :) :)

  41. On November 10, 2009 at 6:55 pm Ashley Said:

    TO WENDLE MEIER’s GRANDSON:
    also, if you have anything that would be useful to me, pictures, etc, that would be amazing. i would truely appreciate it, from the bottom of my heart. :D

  42. On November 10, 2009 at 7:03 pm Ashley Said:

    DANG IT! for got my email address.
    lol.
    ash-bo45@hotmail.com
    Thank u sooo much!

  43. On November 12, 2009 at 2:36 am Nick Said:

    Is anybody planning to go to Holcomb for the 50th anniversary?

  44. On November 12, 2009 at 2:38 am Nick Said:

    I don’t know the official address, but it’s at the end of Oak Street in Holcomb.


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