Sylvia Likens Death
Sylvia passed away on October 26, 1965 at the age of 16 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Sylvia's cause of death was torture murder.
When did Sylvia Likens die?
October 26, 1965How did Sylvia Likens die? What was the cause of death?
Torture murderHow old was Sylvia Likens when died?
16Where did Sylvia Likens die? What was the location of death?
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Sylvia Likens Birthday and Date of Death
Sylvia Likens was born on January 3, 1949 and died on October 26, 1965. Sylvia was 16 years old at the time of death.
Birthday: January 3, 1949
Date of Death: October 26, 1965
Age at Death: 16
Is Sylvia Likens's father, Lester Likens, dead or alive?
Lester Likens's information is not available now.
Is Sylvia Likens's mother, Betty Likens, dead or alive?
Betty Likens's information is not available now.
Sylvia Likens's sisters :
Sylvia has 2 sisters:- Diana Likens
- Jenny Likens
Sylvia Likens's brothers :
Sylvia has 2 brothers:- Daniel Likens
- Benny Likens
Sylvia Likens - Biography
Sylvia Marie Likens was a 16-year-old murder victim. She was tortured to death by Gertrude Baniszewski, Baniszewski's children, and other young people from their neighborhood.
Gertrude Nadine Baniszewski (née Van Fossan; September 19, 1929 – June 16, 1990) was born in Indianapolis, Indiana to Mollie Myrtle (née Oakley) and Hugh Marcus Van Fossan Sr., both of whom were originally from Illinois and were of American and Dutch descent. Baniszewski was the third of six children. On October 5, 1939, Baniszewski witnessed her 50-year-old father's death from a sudden heart attack. Six years later, she dropped out of school to marry 18-year-old John Stephan Baniszewski (1926–2007), who was originally from Youngsville, Pennsylvania, with whom she had six children. Although John Baniszewski had a volatile temper, the two stayed together for ten more years before divorcing.
An examination and autopsy of Likens' body revealed numerous burns, bruising, muscle and nerve damage. All of her fingernails were also broken backwards and most of the skin's outer layer peeled off. Her severely mutilated body led authorities to initially believe that it was the work of an "anonymous madman". In her death throes, Likens bit through her lips, partially severing each of them. Her vaginal cavity was nearly swollen shut, although an examination of the canal determined that her hymen was still intact, which meant it was possible she was still a virgin, discrediting Baniszewski's assertions that Likens was a prostitute and her insistence that she was pregnant. The official cause of death was brain swelling, internal hemorrhaging of the brain, and shock from severe and prolonged damage to her skin.
