Who were the Bloody Benders? The Bloody Benders were a family of serial killers who operated in Kansas during the late 19th century. They ran a small inn and grocery store in Labette County, where they lured unsuspecting travelers. The family consisted of John Bender, his wife Elvira, their son John Jr., and daughter Kate. Their method was gruesome: guests were seated at a table with their backs to a curtain, behind which one of the Benders would strike them on the head with a hammer. The bodies were then dropped into a trapdoor, stripped of valuables, and buried in the orchard. Their crimes were discovered in 1873, but the Benders vanished, leaving behind a chilling legacy.