206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
⚠️ Warning: Viewer Discretion Advised ⚠️ The following section contains detailed information about serial killers, their crimes, and case details. Some content may be disturbing or graphic, including descriptions of violence, criminal behavior, and sensitive subject matter.
Description
See any errors? Let us know!

Levi Boone Helm: The Kentucky Cannibal

Introduction

Levi Boone Helm, infamously known as "The Kentucky Cannibal," was an American serial killer and mountain man. Born on January 28, 1828, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, Helm's life was marked by violence, cannibalism, and a string of murders across the western United States. He was executed by hanging on January 14, 1864, in Virginia City, Montana.

Early Life

Helm grew up in a turbulent environment and displayed violent tendencies from a young age. His early life was characterized by heavy drinking, domestic abuse, and reckless behavior. After bankrupting his family, Helm set out west in search of gold, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Crimes and Cannibalism

Helm's criminal activities spanned from 1850 to 1864, during which he committed numerous murders and acts of cannibalism. He gained notoriety for consuming human flesh, often in survival situations, but also in unprovoked instances. Below are some of the known details of his crimes:
  • Littlebury Shoot: Helm murdered his cousin, Littlebury Shoot, in 1850 by stabbing him in the chest after an argument. This marked the beginning of his violent spree.
  • California Murders: During his travels to California, Helm killed several men in altercations. Specific names and dates of these victims remain unclear.
  • Survival Cannibalism: While traveling with a group of men to Fort Hall, Helm resorted to cannibalism after provisions ran out. He confessed to killing and eating his companions, stating, "Many's the poor devil I've killed, at one time or another."
...Read More
Victims
See any mistakes? Let us know!
Confirmed Victims: (3)
  • Littlebury Shoot , Date of Death: 1850
  •     ...View 2 additional victims
    Killer's Details

    Levi Boone

    Helm

    January 28, 1828 Lincoln County, Kentucky, United States

    January 14, 1864 (aged 35) Virginia City, Montana, United States

    Executed by hanging

    Male

    White

    The Kentucky Cannibal

    Death

    11+

    1850 - 1864

    California, Idaho, Missouri, Oregon, Utah

    07/03/2025