You’d think after federal agents pumped three bullets into him outside Chicago’s Biograph Theater in 1934, John Dillinger would finally be at peace. But the man who became Public Enemy No. 1 didn't exactly get a quiet send-off. Even now, nearly a century later, people are still obsessed with what’s left of him—or if he’s even there at all. If you're looking for the short answer: John Dillinger is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. Specifically, you can find him in Section 44, Lot 94.
But there’s a catch. You can’t just go and see him. Honestly, nobody can.
The Fortress Under the Sod
When Dillinger’s body was brought back to his home state of Indiana, his father, John Wilson Dillinger, was terrified. He wasn't just grieving; he was paranoid. And for good reason. In the days following the shooting, thousands of people mobbed the funeral home. Some tried to dip handkerchiefs in the blood left on the Chicago pavement. Others wanted a piece of the man who had outsmarted the FBI for years.
The elder Dillinger was convinced that "ghouls" or souvenir hunters would dig up his son to sell him off piece by piece or put him on display in some macabre carnival sideshow.
To stop them, he didn't just buy a sturdy casket. He turned the grave into a vault.
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Here is what most people don't realize about the burial: the casket was lowered into the ground, and then workers poured two tons of concrete and scrap iron directly over it. Then they added four reinforced concrete slabs on top of that. Basically, John Dillinger is encased in a multi-layered tomb that would require heavy machinery and several days of loud, messy work to penetrate.
It’s one of the most secure graves in American history.
Why the Grave Site is Still a Pilgrimage
Crown Hill Cemetery is huge. Like, 555-acres huge. It’s the third-largest non-government cemetery in the United States, and it’s actually quite beautiful. It sits on the highest hill in Indianapolis, offering a killer view of the skyline.
When you walk up to Section 44, the grave itself looks surprisingly humble. It’s a simple granite marker that just says "John H. Dillinger, June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934."
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Look closely at the stone, though. The corners are rounded and the edges look chewed on. That’s because, despite the concrete fortress underground, fans and "true crime" tourists have spent decades chipping away at the headstone. The cemetery has had to replace the marker at least four times because people keep stealing chunks of it.
People leave weird stuff there, too. You’ll usually see:
- Pennies (often face up).
- Small bottles of whiskey.
- Old-style carnations.
- Occasionally, even a handful of spent shell casings.
The 2019 Exhumation Drama: Is He Actually There?
For years, a conspiracy theory has simmered: the FBI didn't kill Dillinger. The story goes that he knew he was being set up by "The Woman in Red" (Ana Cumpănaș) and sent a look-alike named Jimmy Lawrence to the theater in his place.
In 2019, this reached a breaking point. Two of Dillinger’s relatives, Mike and Carol Thompson, actually secured a permit to exhume the body. They claimed they had evidence—like different eye colors and non-matching fingerprints—that the man in the grave wasn't their uncle.
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The History Channel was even set to film the whole thing.
But it never happened. The cemetery fought it in court, arguing that a mass exhumation would be disruptive and disrespectful. Eventually, the family dropped the request. So, the concrete remains undisturbed. Whether it’s Dillinger or a Chicago petty criminal down there, we’ll probably never know for sure. The FBI, for their part, remains adamant that they got their man, citing fingerprint records taken during the autopsy that matched Dillinger's previous arrests perfectly.
Visiting Crown Hill: What You Need to Know
If you’re planning a trip to see the grave, don’t expect a "gangster" atmosphere. Crown Hill is a prestigious, quiet place. It’s the final resting place of President Benjamin Harrison and three U.S. Vice Presidents.
- Get a map at the office. Seriously. You will get lost. The cemetery has miles of winding roads.
- Be respectful. There are families mourning nearby. While Dillinger is the "celebrity" here, the surrounding graves belong to people whose families still visit.
- Check the hours. The gates usually close at 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM depending on the season.
- Look for the neighbors. Dillinger is buried in a family plot. You’ll see his father, John Wilson, and his stepmother, Lizzie, right there with him.
It’s a strange feeling standing there. You’re standing on top of two tons of iron and concrete, looking at a chipped piece of granite, wondering if the most famous bank robber in history is looking back up at you—or if he’s laughing from a beach in Mexico.
Getting There
The main entrance is at 700 West 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN. Once you enter, follow the signs (or your map) toward Section 44. The grave isn't on the main road; you'll have to walk a few rows in.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Before you head to the cemetery, download the Crown Hill App. It actually has a GPS-enabled map that will lead you directly to Dillinger’s coordinates. If you're interested in the crime history, pair your visit with a trip to the Indiana State Police Museum nearby; they have several authentic Dillinger artifacts, including some of the weapons used by his gang, which provides much-needed context before you stand at the foot of his concrete vault.