Harry Powers was born as Harm Drenth on November 17, 1892, in the Netherlands. He immigrated to the United States in 1910, starting his new life in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later, in 1926, he moved to West Virginia.

In 1927, Harry married Luella Strother, who owned a farm and grocery store. They met through a "lonely hearts" advertisement. Despite being married, Harry continued to place his own advertisements, looking for women to correspond with. He received many replies, with postal records showing 10 to 20 letters per day.

Harry built a garage and basement at his home in Quiet Dell. This garage would later be discovered as the site where he committed his crimes. Before his 1931 arrest, police found out he had been jailed for burglary in Wisconsin under his birth name. He was also suspected in the 1928 disappearance of a man he worked with and an unsolved murder in Illinois.

Harry Powers, originally from the Netherlands, moved to the United States and began a criminal career using lonely hearts advertisements. He pretended to seek love but lured women to their deaths for their money. He used multiple aliases to deceive his victims.

Powers' crimes were discovered in 1931 when police investigated the disappearances of Asta Eicher, her three children, and Dorothy Lemke. They found evidence at his home, including letters and personal items of the victims. Bodies were discovered buried on his property.

Harry Powers was arrested and taken to jail. During questioning, he received bruises, allegedly from falling down stairs. A mob attempted to lynch him, but he was moved to a safer location. His trial drew large crowds, and he was convicted of the murders.

On December 12, 1931, Powers was sentenced to death. He was hanged on March 18, 1932, at the West Virginia State Penitentiary. His execution ended the life of a man who had caused much pain and suffering through his deceitful and murderous actions.