The Bloody Benders were a family of German serial killers who owned a small general store and inn called the Wayside Inn in Osage township, Labette County, Kansas from 1872 to 1873. The alleged family consisted of John Bender, his wife Kate, son John Jr. and daughter Kate. While most people believe John and Kate were brother and sister, the two were known to have had a more intimate relationship and some people said that they claimed to be man and wife. Ma Bender spoke very little English and was so unfriendly that her neighbors took to calling her a “she-evil.” John Bender, who spoke English fluently with a German accent, was prone to laughing aimlessly which led ted many to consider him a “half-wit.” Kate Bender was attractive and a self-proclaimed healer and psychic. Kate’s popularity became a large attraction for the Bender’s inn. Although the elder Benders’ kept to themselves, Kate and her brother regularly attended Sunder school in nearby Harmony Grove. It was speculated that if a guest appeared to be wealthy, the Benders would give him a seat of honor at the table which was positioned over a trap door that led down into the cellar, with his back to the curtain. Kate would distract the guest, while John Bender or his son would come from behind the curtain and strike the guest on the right hand side of the skull with a hammer. The victim’s throat was then cut by one of the women to ensure his death. The body was then dropped through the trap door. Once in the cellar, the body would be stripped and later buried somewhere on the property, often in the orchard. More than a dozen bullet holes were found in the roof and sides of the room, possibly indicating that some of the victims had attempted to fight back after being hit with the hammer. The family murdered about 2 dozen people. In reference to the Dark Triad, the Bender family seemed to have them all. Because of the way they acted among others, they believed they were better than everyone else and had pride on themselves and what they do. This part of them shows a lot of narcissism. In addition, research shows that Ma Bender married George Griffin, with whom she had 12 children. Ma allegedly marries several times, each time following the death of her previous husband from head injuries. In this case, Ma Bender was a psychopath that carried along her journey of killing with her last family. On top of that, they family knew how to manipulate people into thinking they were a normal, loving caring family that had a mother with an attitude. With all the recipients present from the Dark Triad, I don’t believe this family could have been stopped from all the damage they caused. One victim who was persuaded to enjoy the Bender’s hospitality was Dr. William York. He informed his brother, Colonel York of Fort Scott, that he would be staying with the Bender’ on his return journey. Not surprisingly, Dr. York never returned home. After his brother’s disappearance, Colonel York arrived at the Bender home, explained that his brother had disappeared. York agreed to stay at the Bennet’s and later on that night, while sitting alone in the front room, he happened to notice something glittering underneath one of the beds. He pulled the object out and saw that it was his brother’s locket on a gold chain. He had convinced the sheriff to send a contingent of deputies and local men from town. The posse planned to investigate the inn and the surrounding area, especially the orchard. When they arrived however, they found that the house was empty. The Bender’s, apparently aware that York had disappeared the night before, had packed up and left the place. The story of their escape spread, and the search continued on and off for fifty years. Often, groups of two traveling women were accused of being Kate Bender and her mother. They were never found.