Gertrude Baniszewski Today: The Final Days And Secret Life Of 'The Torture Mother' After Parole

As of today, December 12, 2025, the case of Gertrude Baniszewski remains one of the most horrifying and disturbing chapters in American criminal history. While the brutal torture and murder of 16-year-old Sylvia Likens occurred decades ago in 1965, the lingering questions about Baniszewski’s life after her conviction, her controversial parole, and the fate of her children continue to captivate true crime audiences and legal scholars alike. This article delves into the final, lesser-known years of the woman infamously dubbed "The Torture Mother." The details of the crime are well-documented, but the story of Gertrude Baniszewski—the central figure in the tragedy—did not end with her life sentence. She was a woman who seemingly vanished from public view after her release, living under a new identity until her death. Her attempt to escape her past highlights the profound ethical and legal debates surrounding parole for those convicted of the most heinous crimes.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Gertrude Baniszewski

Gertrude Baniszewski, born Gertrude Nadine Van Fossan, was the central perpetrator in the 1965 torture and murder of Sylvia Likens in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her life was marked by poverty, numerous failed marriages, and a rapidly deteriorating mental state that culminated in one of the state's most notorious crimes.

• Full Birth Name: Gertrude Nadine Van Fossan
• Aliases: Gertrude Nadine Baniszewski, Gertrude Wright (Name after parole), The Torture Mother
• Date of Birth: September 19, 1929
• Date of Death: June 16, 1990
• Age at Death: 60
• Cause of Death: Natural Causes (Heart Disease/Lung Cancer)
• Location of Death: Laurel, Iowa
• Victim: Sylvia Marie Likens (Age 16)
• Conviction: First-Degree Murder (1966)
• Parole Date: December 1985
• Co-Conspirators: Paula Baniszewski (Daughter), John Baniszewski (Son), Ricky Hobbs, Coy Hubbard

The Controversial Parole and Life as Gertrude Wright

Gertrude Baniszewski was convicted of first-degree murder in 1966 and initially sentenced to life imprisonment. After the conviction was overturned on appeal, a second trial in 1971 resulted in the same verdict and sentence, upholding her conviction for the brutal death of Sylvia Likens. She served nearly two decades of her life sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Her parole hearings were highly contentious, drawing outrage from the public and the Likens family.

The Shocking Decision to Release

In 1985, after numerous appeals and a significant public outcry, the Indiana Parole Board voted 3-2 to grant Gertrude Baniszewski parole. This decision was met with widespread condemnation, as many felt a woman responsible for such prolonged and sadistic torture should never be released. The board cited her good behavior in prison and her purported rehabilitation as reasons for the release. She was released in December 1985 after serving 20 years.

A New Identity: Gertrude Wright

Upon her release, Gertrude Baniszewski immediately changed her name to Gertrude Wright in an attempt to live anonymously and avoid the inevitable public scrutiny. She relocated to a small town in Iowa, successfully blending into the community for a period. For the last five years of her life, Gertrude Wright lived quietly, largely undetected by the media and the general public who had followed the infamous case.

The Final Days and Death of 'The Torture Mother'

Gertrude Wright’s life after parole was short-lived. She died on June 16, 1990, at the age of 60, just five years after her release from prison.

Cause of Death and Final Resting Place

The cause of death was officially reported as natural causes, primarily attributed to heart disease and lung cancer. She had a history of poor health, which had reportedly worsened during her time in prison. Her death brought a quiet end to the life of one of the most reviled figures in American criminal history. She was buried under her assumed name, Gertrude Wright, further cementing her final attempt to erase her past identity.

The Lingering Question of Justice

For the Likens family and the community, Baniszewski's death closed a tragic chapter, but it did not fully resolve the deep-seated feelings of injustice over her parole. Her death in 1990 meant she served only a fraction of her life sentence, a fact that continues to fuel debates about the efficacy and morality of the parole system for violent offenders.

The Aftermath: The Fate of Baniszewski’s Children and Co-Conspirators

The case is unique because Gertrude Baniszewski coerced her own children and neighborhood youths into participating in the abuse, making them co-conspirators in the torture. The current status of these individuals remains a key part of the case’s topical authority and continued interest.

Paula Baniszewski (Daughter)

Paula Baniszewski, Gertrude’s eldest daughter, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. She was also granted parole in 1972, a decision that caused a separate wave of controversy. In a significant, relatively recent update, Paula’s past resurfaced years later when she was living under the name Paula Pace. She was working as a teacher's aide in a school in Knoxville, Iowa, a fact that was revealed to the public, leading to her being fired from the position. Her attempt to live a normal life was ultimately thwarted by the gravity of her past crime.

John Baniszewski (Son)

John Baniszewski was convicted of intentional homicide without premeditation. He was released from the Indiana Reformatory in 1974. He later changed his name and, according to various accounts, successfully integrated back into society, living a quiet life away from the public eye.

The Other Children and Co-Conspirators

Other Baniszewski children, including Stephanie Baniszewski and Shirley Baniszewski, were also involved to varying degrees, though their legal fates differed based on their age and level of participation. The two neighborhood youths, Coy Hubbard and Richard Hobbs, were also convicted of intentional homicide. Both were released in the 1970s and have since lived private lives, with reports indicating that Richard Hobbs died in 2007. The story of Gertrude Baniszewski is a dark reminder of the capacity for human cruelty, but the subsequent decades of her life and the lives of her children serve as a complex study in justice, anonymity, and the inescapable shadow of a horrific past. The case continues to be analyzed in books, documentaries like *An American Crime*, and endless discussions about what constitutes true rehabilitation.