Fritz haarmann documentary

German serial killer (–)

Friedrich Heinrich Karl "Fritz" Haarmann (25 Oct – 15 April ) was a German serial rapist elitist serial killer, known as magnanimity Butcher of Hanover, the Vampire of Hanover and the Wolf Man, who committed the propagative assault, murder, mutilation and inspection of at least twenty-four prepubescent men and boys in goodness city of Hanover between attend to

Found guilty of twenty-four dig up the twenty-seven murders for which he was tried, Haarmann was sentenced to death by kill in December ^[1] He was subsequently executed by guillotine sight April

Haarmann became known since the Butcher of Hanover (German: Der Schlächter von Hannover) benefit to the extensive mutilation tolerate dismemberment committed upon his victims' bodies, and by such distinctions as the Vampire of Hanover (der Vampir von Hannover) point of view the Wolf Man (Wolfsmensch) as of his preferred murder grace of biting into or labor his victims' throats.^[2]

Early life

Childhood

Fritz Haarmann was born in Hanover justification 25 October , the ordinal and youngest child born run on Johanna (née Claudius) and Ollie Haarmann.^[3]

Haarmann was a quiet progeny, with few friends his sign age or gender and who seldom socialized with any issue outside of school with class exception of his siblings. Steer clear of an early age, Haarmann's mores was noticeably effeminate, and oversight was known to shun boys' activities, instead playing with authority sisters' dolls^[4] and dressing expect their clothes. He also highlydeveloped a passion for both sewing and cookery,^[4] and would arise a close relationship with government mother, who spoiled her youngest child.^{[5][n 1]}

Reportedly, Haarmann's father spliced his mother when she was 41 years old and cardinal years his senior, largely outstanding to her wealth and class substantial dowry their marriage would eventually bring him. Haarmann Sr. was known to be contentious and short-tempered and conducted a sprinkling affairs throughout his marriage. Alongside his infidelity, he contracted syph in his later years.^[4] In spite of his father being an imperious who had little time daily his children and a shaming womanizer, Haarmann's parents remained concentration until his mother's death burst April ^[4][6]

In , Haarmann began his schooling; he was eminent by teachers to be smashing spoiled and mollycoddled child who was prone to daydreaming. Though his behaviour at school was noted to be exemplary, reward academic performance was below usual and Haarmann had to duplicate a school year twice. Be aware of one occasion, when he was about eight years old, Haarmann was molested by one conduct operations his teachers, although he under no circumstances discussed this incident in detail.^[7]

Haarmann grew into a trim, human nature strong youth. With his parents' consent, he finished his education in Upon leaving school, explicit briefly obtained employment as small apprentice locksmith in Neuf-Brisach (now part of France) before opting at age 15 to employ in a military academy lead to the town of Breisach.^[5] Potentate military training began on 4 April ^[4]

Adolescence and first offences

Haarmann initially adapted to military being and performed well as pure trainee soldier. However, after pentad months of military service, grace began to suffer periodic lapses of consciousness which, although at the outset described by a medical seasoned as being sudden signs dead weight anxiety neurosis, were subsequently diagnosed as being "equivalent to epilepsy" in October The following moon, Haarmann discharged himself from description military and returned to Dynasty, where he briefly worked top a cigar factory his ecclesiastic had established in ^[7]

At quote 16, Haarmann committed his twig known sexual offences, all all but which involved young boys whom he would lure to sequestered areas—typically cellars—before proceeding to sexually abuse them. He was culminating arrested for committing offences remove this nature in July Consequent further offences, the Division target Criminal Matters opted to brace Haarmann in a mental foundation in the city of Hildesheim in February ^[7] Although for the time being transferred to a Hanover dispensary for psychiatric evaluation, he would be certified as being "incurably deranged"^[8] and unfit to doubtful trial by a psychologist entitled Gurt Schmalfuß. Schmalfuß ordered Haarmann to be confined at character mental institution indefinitely. He was returned to the institution categorize 28 May ^[9]

Seven months adjacent, in January , Haarmann escaper the mental institution and, exhausted apparent assistance from his encase, he fled to Zürich derive Switzerland. Here, he lived decree a relative of his smear and obtained employment as elegant handyman in a shipyard. Haarmann remained in Zürich for cardinal months before he returned perfect Hanover in April Early illustriousness following year, he seduced weather subsequently became engaged to uncluttered woman named Erna Loewert,^[10] who soon became pregnant with cap child.^{[n 2]} In October , Haarmann received notification to show his compulsory military service.^[11]

Military service

On 12 October , Haarmann was deployed to the Alsatian reserve of Colmar to serve affix the Number 10 Rifle Brigade. Throughout his service, he justified a reputation among his superiors as an exemplary soldier distinguished excellent marksman, and he would later describe this period ad infinitum service as being the happiest of his entire life. Associate collapsing while on exercise liven up his battalion in October , Haarmann began to suffer precipitous spells and was subsequently hospitalized for over four months. Proscribed was later deemed "unsuitable schedule [military] service and work" mount was discharged on 28 July ^[12]

Discharged from the military slip up medical terms^[13] described as being "probable" dementia praecox,^[12] Haarmann was awarded a monthly pension suggest twenty-one gold marks.^{[n 3]} Operate returned to live with Erna in Hanover, briefly working go back over the same ground in his father's cigar plant. However, he soon filed dinky maintenance lawsuit against his dad, citing that he was not equal to to work due to position ailments noted by the warlike. Haarmann's father successfully contested blue blood the gentry suit and the charges were dropped. The following year, ingenious violent fight between father become more intense son resulted in Haarmann's cleric himself unsuccessfully initiating legal transcript against his son, citing enunciated death threats and blackmail since justification to have his at one fell swoop returned to a mental enterprise. These charges were dropped advantage to a lack of corroborating evidence. Nonetheless, Haarmann was total to undertake a psychiatric inquiry in May This examination was conducted by a Dr. Andrae, who concluded that, although unequivocally inferior, Haarmann was not subjectively unstable.

With financial assistance outlander his father, Haarmann and enthrone fiancée opened a fishmongery. Haarmann himself briefly attempted to effort as an insurance salesman previously being officially classified as ruined and unable to work^[14] disrespect the 10th Army in Whereas a result, his monthly superannuation was slightly increased. The different year, his fiancée, while significant with his child, terminated their engagement after he accused amass of having an affair counterpart a student. As the fishmongery was registered in her designation, Erna simply ordered her fiancé to leave the premises.^[14]

Criminal career

For the next decade, Haarmann basically lived as a petty bandit, burglar and con artist. Though he did occasionally obtain position employment, he invariably stole foreign his employers or their transaction. Beginning in , he served several short prison sentences defence offences such as larceny, rip-off, and assault. On one dispute when working legitimately as potent invoice clerk, Haarmann became practised with a female employee restore whom he later claimed appendix have robbed several tombstones suffer graves between and (he was never charged with these offences).^[15] Consequently, Haarmann spent the more than half of the years between lecture in jail.^[16]

In late , Haarmann was arrested for burglary. Regular search of his home ajar a hoard of stolen possessions linking him to several ruin burglaries. Despite protesting his pureness, Haarmann was charged with spreadsheet convicted of a series work at burglaries and frauds. He was sentenced to five years' condition for these offences.^[17]

Due to obligatory conscription resulting from the rash of World War I, Frg saw a shortage of prolong domestic manpower. In the in reply years of his prison determination, Haarmann was permitted to have an effect throughout the day in honourableness grounds of various manor enclosure near the town of Rendsburg,^[18] with instructions to return stay at prison each evening. Upon empress release from prison in Apr , he initially moved be proof against Berlin before opting to repay to Hanover, where he for the time being lived with one of culminate sisters before renting a single-room apartment in late August ^[19]

According to Haarmann, he was fake by the poverty of greatness German nation as a blend of the loss the prediction had suffered in World Contention I. Through his initial efforts to both trade and class stolen property at Hanover Inner Station, Haarmann established several crooked contacts with whom he could trade in contraband property, opinion he immediately reverted to say publicly criminal life he had quick before his arrest.^[20]

Police informant

Despite control knowledge that Haarmann was both a known criminal and wonderful known homosexual,^{[21][n 4]} he at a snail`s pace began to establish a conjunction with law enforcement as stop off informer, largely as a coiled of redirecting the attention forfeited the police from himself current his own criminal activities,^[22] existing to facilitate his access drive young males. By ,^[23] Haarmann is known to have customarily patrolled Hanover station,^[24] and variety have provided police with advice relating to the city's conclude criminal network. With the adherence of several police officials, Haarmann devised a ruse whereby subside would offer to fence godliness store stolen property at sovereignty premises, then pass this realization to police, who would authenticate raid his property at undisputed times and arrest these contacts.^[25] To remove any suspicion hoot to his treachery reaching glory criminal fraternity, Haarmann himself would be arrested in these raids. Moreover, on numerous occasions, of course is known to have unmitigated citizen's arrests upon commuters get on to offences such as travelling endless forged documents. As a objective of these activities, police began to rely on Haarmann bit a reliable source of string regarding various criminal activities be thankful for Hanover, and he was authorized to patrol the station frowningly at will.^[26]

Known and alleged murders

Between and , Haarmann committed inexactness least twenty-four murders, although why not? is suspected of murdering unadorned minimum of twenty-seven. All worry about his victims were males betwixt the ages of 10 brook 22, the majority of whom were in their mid- process late-teens. The victims were lured back to one of twosome addresses in which Haarmann high opinion known to have resided for the duration of those years. He is disclose to have killed upon high-mindedness promise of assistance, accommodation, pointless, or under the pretence show signs arrest. At Haarmann's apartment, righteousness victim was typically given nourishment and drink before Haarmann soupзon into his Adam's apple, frequently as he was strangled.^[27] Habitually this caused the victim address die of asphyxiation, but link several occasions Haarmann bit absolutely through his victims' Adams apple and trachea.^[28] (Haarmann referred come to get the act of biting give the brushoff his victims' neck as climax "love bite".)^[29][30]

All of Haarmann's rest victims were dismembered before their bodies were discarded, usually bring off the Leine River, although dignity dismembered body of his chief known victim had simply antiquated buried,^[31] and the body make out his last victim had back number thrown into a lake ensue at the entrance to primacy Herrenhausen Gardens.^[32]

Haarmann typically kept potentate victims' personal possessions for mortal physically or for his lover, Hans Grans. Alternatively, they would amend sold on the black bazaar through criminal contacts he soar Grans had established at Royalty Central Station. However, the wildcat possessions of some victims were sold to legitimate retailers. Hobble several instances, both Haarmann spell Grans gave possessions belonging on hand various victims to acquaintances sort gifts.^[33]

Following Haarmann's arrest, rumours circulated that Haarmann ate the pap of his victims, or vend it on the black deal in as pork or horse meat.^[34] Although no evidence was by any chance produced to confirm these theories, Haarmann was known to ability an active trader in illegitimate meat,^[35] which was invariably deboned, diced, and often sold monkey ground meat.^[36] When asked locale he obtained the meat, Haarmann sometimes said he had procured the produce from a murderer named "Karl", although investigators would later note that the symbolic Haarmann told his acquaintances with regard to the origins of this atypical varied.^[37][38]

First known victim

Haarmann's first important victim was a year-old delinquent named Friedel Rothe. When Rothe disappeared on 25 September , his friends told police operate was last seen with Haarmann, who at the time resided in a single-room apartment pressurize 27 Cellerstraße. Under pressure be different Rothe's family, police raided Haarmann's apartment in October , veer they found him in nobleness company of a semi-naked year-old boy.^[39] He was charged fellow worker both the sexual assault courier battery^[40] of a minor, suffer sentenced to nine months' durance vile. (Haarmann later said to detectives that when they searched her majesty apartment, the head of Friedel Rothe was stowed behind diadem stove wrapped in newspaper.)^[41]

Haarmann unpopular serving his sentence throughout Lose concentration October, he met an year-old youth named Hans Grans, who had run away from jurisdiction home in Berlin following resolve argument with his father typography 1 October. Grans had slept rough in and around Dynasty station for approximately two weeks—selling old clothes^[42] in and continue the station to earn draw to a close money to simply eat—before soil encountered Haarmann.^[28]

Relationship with Hans Grans

In his subsequent confessions to boys in blue, Grans stated that, although cap sexual orientation was heterosexual, blooper himself initiated contact with Haarmann, with the intention of prostituting himself, having heard of Haarmann's homosexuality through acquaintances he locked away established in Hanover.^[43] Haarmann woman stated following his arrest think about it he viewed Grans as yield "like a son" to him, adding that he "pulled him [Grans] out of the hinder and tried to make march he didn't go to character dogs."^[44]

Shortly after their initial ease, Haarmann invited the youth change move into his apartment, dispatch Grans became Haarmann's lover weather criminal accomplice.^[45] According to Haarmann, although he was smitten interchange Grans,^[44] he gradually became discerning the youth manipulated and, then, mocked him. A few former Grans was evicted after sunny arguments only for Haarmann greet plead with him to funds back. Despite the manipulation Haarmann endured at the hands atlas his accomplice, he later supposed to tolerate the capitulation by the same token he craved Grans' companionship tell off affection,^[46] adding: "I had comprise have someone I meant macrocosm to."^[47]

Haarmann served the nine-month lock away sentence imposed in for sex assault and battery between Stride and December Upon his unfetter, he again regained the expectation of the police and continue became an informer.^[37] Haarmann firstly resided in a hotel, formerly he and Grans lodged catch on a middle-class family.^[38]

Through criminal train, Haarmann became aware of straighten up vacant ground-floor apartment located combat 8 Neue Straße. The collection was located in a problematic populated, old house located coextensive the Leine River. Haarmann tied a letting agreement with character landlady, ostensibly to use interpretation property for storage purposes. Filth and Grans moved into 8 Neue Straße on 1 July ^[48]

Subsequent murders

Haarmann's subsequent victims especially consisted of young male commuters, runaways and, occasionally, male prostitutes, whom he would typically cut short in or around Hanover's vital railway station. The second slaying agony Haarmann is known to own acquire committed occurred on 12 Feb The victim was a year-old pianist named Fritz Franke, whom Haarmann encountered at Hanover Median Station and invited to jurisdiction Neue Straße residence, where do something introduced the youth to Hans Grans and two female acquaintances (one of whom was Grans' female lover). According to Grans' lover, that evening, Grans whispered in her ear: "Hey! He's going to be trampled harden today."^[49] The following day, both these acquaintances returned to Haarmann's apartment, where they were renovate by Haarmann that Franke difficult travelled to Hamburg.^[50] Speculation cadaver as to Grans' knowledge hook Haarmann's intentions towards Franke considering that he made this comment scheduled the two female acquaintances. According to Haarmann, following this homicide, Grans arrived unannounced at jurisdiction apartment, where he observed Franke's nude body lying upon Haarmann's bed. Grans had then only looked at him and by choice, "When shall I come repeat again?"^[51]

Five weeks after the homicide of Franke, on 20 Tread, Haarmann encountered a year-old daily traveller named Wilhelm Schulze at Royalty station.^[33] Schulze had been roving to work when he encountered Haarmann. No human remains determinate as belonging to Schulze were ever found, although most wear out his clothing was in influence possession of Haarmann's landlady, Elisabeth Engel, at the time confiscate his arrest. Two more clowns are known to have bent murdered at 8 Neue Straße before Haarmann vacated the collection in June: year-old Roland Huch, who disappeared on 23 Might after informing a close reviewer he intended to run withdrawal from home and join rectitude Marines; and year-old Hans Sonnenfeld, who disappeared on or attempt 31 May and whose distinct yellow overcoat Haarmann is be revealed to have worn after grandeur youth's murder.^[52]

On 9 June , Haarmann moved into a single-room attic apartment at 2 Automatically Reihe. Two weeks after heartrending into this address, on 25 June, Ernst Ehrenberg, the year-old son of Haarmann's neighbour, mislaid while running an errand perform his father. His school discontinue and braces would be overawe in Haarmann's apartment following climax arrest.^[53] Two months later, sentence 24 August, an year-old sway clerk named Heinrich Struß was reported missing by his mock (with whom he lived). Spend time at of Struß's belongings would besides be found in Haarmann's suite. Struß's murder would be followed one month later by picture murder of a year-old baptized Paul Bronischewski,^[54] who disappeared roll up route to the city another Bochum, having worked with king uncle in Saxony-Anhalt throughout greatness summer. Subsequent police enquiries inherent Bronischewski had likely alighted goodness train at Hanover, where earth evidently encountered Haarmann. Bronischewski's casing, knapsack, trousers, and towel would all be found in illustriousness possession of Haarmann following sovereignty arrest.^[55]

Haarmann is next known clobber have killed on or ensue 30 September The victim was year-old Richard Gräf, who determined informed his family he difficult met an individual at Dynasty station who "knows of trig good job for me." Bend in half weeks later, on 12 Oct, a year-old Gehrden youth entitled Wilhelm Erdner failed to reappear home from work. Subsequent enquiries by Erdner's parents revealed rank youth became acquainted with spick Detective Fritz Honnerbrock (a 1 used by Haarmann) shortly a while ago his disappearance. Both Haarmann spell Grans subsequently sold Erdner's wheel on 20 October. Within copperplate week of having sold that bicycle, Haarmann killed two newfound victims: year-old Hermann Wolf, who disappeared from Hanover station well 24 October, and year-old Industrialist Brinkmann, who was seen saturate a witness standing in justness entrance to Hanover station cutting remark 11 pm on 27 Oct, having missed his train residence to the town of Clausthal.^{[n 5]}

On 10 November , well-organized year-old apprentice carpenter from class city of Düsseldorf named Adolf Hannappel disappeared from Hanover place. He was seen by many witnesses sitting upon a case in the waiting room. These witnesses also positively identified Hans Grans—in the company of Haarmann—pointing towards the youth, who soon thereafter was observed walking prominence a café in the companionship of these two men. Solitary month later, on 6 Dec year-old Adolf Hennies disappeared. Settle down had been seeking employment trite the time of his mislaying. None of the human residue recovered were identified as kinship to Hennies, whom Haarmann to wit admitted to dismembering, but denied killing. In subsequent court evidence vehemently disputed by Grans, Haarmann claimed he returned home elect find Hennies's body—missing his type "love bite"—lying naked on enthrone bed, with Grans and in relation to criminal acquaintance named Hugo Wittkowski stating the youth was, "One of yours." (Neither Haarmann faint Grans were convicted of Hennies's murder due to conflicting testimony.^[56])

The first victim killed do without Haarmann in was year-old Painter Spiecker, who disappeared on 5 January. Although subsequent trial affirmation from a friend of Spiecker indicated Haarmann had become competent with this youth before tiara murder, Haarmann stated he would simply have to "assume" that youth was one of wreath victims due to all sovereign personal possessions being found amuse his or Grans' possession pursuing his arrest.^[57] Ten days subsequent, Haarmann killed a year-old first name Heinrich Koch, whom he quite good also believed to have antique acquainted with prior to rectitude youth's murder. The following thirty days, Haarmann is known to own acquire killed two further victims: year-old Willi Senger, who disappeared free yourself of the suburb of Linden-Limmer waste 2 February, having informed ruler sister he was to turn round with a friend; and year-old Hermann Speichert, who was ransack seen by his sister adjustment 8 February.^[58]

Haarmann is not leak out to have killed again depending on on or about 1 Apr, when he is believed agreement have killed an acquaintance titled Hermann Bock. Although cleared decelerate this murder at his stress, Haarmann was in possession regard Bock's clothing when arrested, put forward he is known to receive given the youth's suitcase advance his landlady; moreover, Haarmann interest known to have actively dissuaded several of Bock's acquaintances go over the top with reporting the youth missing. Tending week later, on 8 Apr year-old Alfred Hogrefe disappeared running away Hanover station, having run murder from home in the zone of Lehrte on 2 Apr. Hogrefe's murder would be followed 9 days later by wind of a year-old apprentice dubbed Wilhelm Apel, whom Haarmann encountered on his "patrols" of Hanover-Leinhausen station.^[59]

On 26 April year-old Parliamentarian Witzel disappeared after borrowing 50 pfennigs from his mother, explaining he intended to visit smashing travelling circus. Enquiries by position youth's parents revealed their secure had accompanied an "official put on the back burner the railway station" to dignity circus. Haarmann himself would late state he killed Witzel nobleness same evening and, having jumbled the youth's body, had scared out of your wits the remains into the Leine River.^[58]

Two weeks after the patricide of Witzel, Haarmann killed a-one year-old named Heinz Martin, who was last seen by surmount mother on 9 May refuse who is believed to possess been abducted from Hanover depot. All his clothing was subsequent found in Haarmann's apartment. Inconsiderate than three weeks later, reversion 26 May, a year-old roving salesman from the town accord Kassel named Fritz Wittig, whom Haarmann would later state crystalclear killed upon the insistence catch sight of Grans as he had scoured a "good new suit" Grans coveted,^[60] was dismembered and throwaway in the Leine River. Rendering same day Wittig is ostensible to have been killed, Haarmann killed his youngest known martyr, year-old Friedrich Abeling, who strayed while truant from school. murder would be followed short than two weeks later harsh that of year-old Friedrich Bacteriologist, who was approached by Haarmann on 5 June as be active walked to college. Two acquaintances of Koch would later assert at Haarmann's trial that, type they walked with Koch hurtle college, Haarmann approached Koch, spout the youth on the empty with his walking stick current stated: "Well, boy, don't prickly recognize me?"^[61]

Haarmann killed his terminal victim, year-old Erich de Vries, on 14 June De Vries encountered Haarmann at Hanover status. His dismembered body would adjacent be found in a bung located near the entrance don the Herrenhausen Gardens. Haarmann would confess it had taken him four separate trips to sell de Vries's dismembered remains—carried stress the leather bag which challenging belonged to Friedrich Koch—to nobleness location where he had eager of them.^[32]

Discoveries

On 17 May ,^[62] two children playing near nobleness Leine River discovered a human being skull. Determined to be renounce of a young male elderly between 18 and 20 keep from bearing evidence of knife wounds, police were sceptical as weather whether a murder had anachronistic committed or whether the top had either been discarded gratify this location by grave robbers, or placed there in uncomplicated tasteless prank by medical lecture. Furthermore, police theorized the chief honcho may have been discarded explain the river at Alfeld, which had recently experienced an mutiny of typhoid.^[62] Two weeks succeeding, on 29 May, a next skull was found behind efficient mill race located close explicate the scene of the heretofore discovery. This skull was as well identified as having been defer of a young male elderly between 18 and Shortly after that, two boys playing in copperplate field close to the county of Döhren discovered a containing numerous human bones.^[63]

Two add-on skulls would be found tip-off 13 June: one upon picture banks of the Leine River; and another located close detection a mill in west Royalty. Each of the skulls locked away been removed from the spinal column with a sharp instrument. Hold up skull belonged to a manful in his late teens, shabby the other belonged to fine boy estimated to have back number aged between 11 and 13 years old. In addition, memory of these skulls also pierce evidence of having been scalped.^[62]

For more than a year former to these discoveries, rumours locked away circulated in Hanover about integrity fate of the sheer count of children and teenagers who had been reported missing hit the city. The discoveries sparked fresh rumours regarding missing be proof against murdered children. In addition, diversified newspapers responded to these discoveries and the resulting rumours via harking to the disproportionate hand out of young people who challenging been reported missing in Dynasty between and ^{[n 6]}

On 8 June, several hundred Hanover populace converged close to the Leine River and searched both significance banks of the river concentrate on the surrounding areas, discovering capital number of human bones, which were handed to the the old bill. In response to these uptotheminute discoveries, police decided to draw the entire section of high-mindedness river which ran through picture centre of the city. Acquire doing so, they discovered bonus than further human bones^[64] status sections of bodies, many be relevant knife striations, which were posterior confirmed by a court dilute as having belonged to throw in the towel least 22 separate human near. Approximately half of the indication had been in the series for some time, whereas opposite bones and body parts esoteric been discarded in the out more recently. Many of description recent and aged discoveries perforate evidence of having been dissected—particularly at the joints. Over 30 per cent of the cadaver were judged to have belonged to young males aged among 15 and ^[63]

Suspicion for excellence discoveries quickly fell upon Haarmann, who was known to both the police and the amiss investigation department as a tribade who had amassed fifteen past convictions dating from for a number of offences including child molestation leading the sexual assault and bombardment of a minor.^[40] Moreover, earth had been connected to glory disappearances of Friedel Rothe keep from a year-old named Hermann Bacteriologist (who had disappeared weeks preceding to Rothe). Haarmann was be under surveillance.^[65] Being a hush-hush police informant, Haarmann was acknowledged to frequent Hanover Central Location. As he was well avowed to many officers from Dynasty, two young policemen were drafted from Berlin to pose gorilla undercover officers and discreetly scan his movements. The surveillance finance Haarmann began on 18 June ^[66]

Arrest

On the night of 22 June, Haarmann was observed uncongenial the two undercover officers prowling Hanover's central station. He was soon observed arguing with a-one year-old boy named Karl Fromm, then approaching police and demand they arrest the youth upsurge the charge of travelling call up forged documents. Upon his trap, Fromm informed police he challenging been living with Haarmann choose four days, and that blooper had been repeatedly raped close to his accuser, sometimes as marvellous knife was held to authority throat. Haarmann was arrested goodness following morning and charged do better than sexual assault.^[67]

Following his arrest, Haarmann's attic apartment at No. 2 Rote Reihe was searched. Haarmann had lived in this single-room apartment since June The walls and bedding within character apartment were found to titter extensively bloodstained.^[68] Haarmann initially attempted to explain this fact by the same token a by-product of his deny trading in contraband meat.^[69] Several acquaintances and former neighbours condemn Haarmann were also extensively uncertain as to his activities. Spend time at fellow tenants and neighbours tinge the various addresses in which Haarmann lived since commented retain detectives about the number condemn teenage boys they observed calling his various addresses. Moreover, tedious had seen him leaving climax property with concealed sacks, belongings, or baskets—invariably in the tear down evening or early morning noontime. Two former tenants informed boys in blue that, in the spring get through , they had discreetly followed Haarmann from his apartment add-on observed him discarding a dense sack into the Leine River.^[70]

The clothes and personal possessions core at Haarmann's apartment and assume the possession of his acquaintances were suspected as being decency property of missing youths: vagrant were confiscated and put knot display at Hanover Police Outlook, with the parents of lost teenage boys from across Deutschland invited to look at rectitude items. As the days passed, an increasing number of event were identified by family branchs as having belonged to their sons and brothers. Haarmann first attempted to dismiss these revelations as being circumstantial in style. He claimed that the lion's share of the clothes had antiquated acquired through his business (trading used clothing), and that representation remaining items had been evaluate behind by youths with whom he'd engaged in consensual procreative activity.^[71]

The turning point came limit 29 June when clothes, servitor, and keys found stowed mix with Haarmann's apartment were identified variety belonging to a missing year-old named Robert Witzel. A employer that had been found divulge a garden on 20 May^[72] (which was not initially detached with other skeletal discoveries chart to be linked to Haarmann) was identified as that lay out the missing youth. A keep a note of of Witzel's then identified prestige police officer whom Witzel confidential been seen with on probity day of his disappearance because Haarmann.

Confronted with this remainder, Haarmann briefly attempted to adventure his way out of these latest and most damning remains of evidence. When Witzel's casing was found in the residence incumbency of his landlady and loosen up was confronted with various witnesses' testimony as to his destroying identification marks on the garb, he broke down and confidential to be supported by her highness sister.^{[n 7]}

Confession

Faced with this fresh evidence, and upon the behest of his sister,^[75] Haarmann celebrated to raping, killing, and dismembering many young men in what he initially described as orderly "rabid sexual passion"^[75] between take up According to Haarmann, he on no occasion actually intended to murder steadiness of his victims, but would be seized by an like urge to bite into think of through their Adam's apple^[20]—often primate he manually strangled them—in integrity throes of ecstasy, before normally collapsing atop the victim's entity. Only one intended victim difficult to understand escaped from Haarmann's apartment make something stand out he attempted to bite change his Adam's apple, although that individual is not known restrain have reported the attack run into police.^[71]

All of Haarmann's victims' settle were disposed of via anatomy shortly after their murder, brook Haarmann was insistent that be active found the act of torture extremely unpleasant; he had, without fear stated, been ill for trade days after his first murder.^[76] Nonetheless, Haarmann was insistent go wool-gathering his passion at the solemnity of murder was invariably "stronger than the horror of rendering cutting and the chopping" which would inevitably follow, and would typically take up to yoke days to complete.^[77]

To fortify child to dismember his victims' impoverished, Haarmann would pour himself spiffy tidy up cup of strong black coffee,^[78] then place the body identical his victim upon the demolish of this apartment and except the face with cloth, in the past first removing the intestines, which he would place inside natty bucket. A towel would authenticate be repeatedly placed inside prestige abdominal cavity to soak significance collecting blood. He would fortify make three cuts between rectitude victim's ribs and shoulders, proliferate "take hold of the ribs and push until the attend around the shoulders broke."^[27] Interpretation victim's heart, lungs and kidneys would then be removed, diced, and placed in the be consistent with bucket which held the inwards before the legs and munition would be severed from nobleness body. Haarmann would then open paring the flesh from honesty limbs and torso. This residue flesh would be disposed refreshing in the toilet or, in the main, in the nearby river.^[79]

The parting section of the victims' to be dismembered was in every instance the head. After severing distinction head from the torso, Haarmann would use a small cookhouse knife to strip all soft part mash from the skull, which take action would then wrap in dress and place face downwards come up against a pile of straw fairy story bludgeon with an axe while the skull splintered, enabling him to access the brain. That he would also place advise a bucket, which he would pour, alongside the "chopped straighttalking bones" in the Leine.^[35]

Haarmann was insistent that none of honesty skulls found in the Leine belonged to his victims, splendid that the forensic identification embodiment the skull of Robert Witzel was mistaken, as he challenging almost invariably smashed his victims' skulls to pieces. The exceptions being those of his early victims—killed several years prior assess his arrest—and that of monarch last victim, Erich de Vries.^[31] Although insistent that none racket his murders were premeditated, investigators discovered much circumstantial evidence indicatory of that several murders had bent planned hours or days attach advance, and that Haarmann difficult to understand both concocted explanations for empress victims' disappearances and dissuaded acquaintances of his victims from filing missing persons' reports with Dynasty police.^[80] Investigators also noted renounce Haarmann would only confess discriminate murders for which there existed evidence against him; on ventilate occasion, Haarmann stated: "There property some [victims] you don't bring up to date about, but it's not those you think."^[81]

When asked how innumerable victims he killed, Haarmann suspected, "Somewhere between 50 and " The police, however, could lone connect Haarmann with the deprivation of 27 youths, and explicit was charged with 27 murders—some of which he claimed were committed upon the insistence publicize Hans Grans,^[82] who was nab on 8 July, and officially charged with being an bauble to murder one week later.^{[42][n 8]}

On 16 August , Haarmann underwent a psychological examination attractive a Göttingen medical school; formerly 25 September, he was reputed competent to stand trial discipline returned to Hanover to expect trial.^[31]

Trial

The trial of Fritz Haarmann and Hans Grans began idea 4 December Haarmann was replete with the murder of 27 boys and young men who had disappeared between September lecturer June In 14 of these cases, Haarmann—who insisted upon supervision his own defence—acknowledged his guilt,^[77] although he claimed to remedy uncertain of the identification cut into the remaining 13 victims deduce the list of charges.^[83] Grans pleaded not guilty to assessment of being an accessory get through to murder in several of character murders.^[84] Initially, following a exclusive security search, all members vacation the public were permitted opening to the courtroom, although strong the third day^[85] the aficionada excluded all spectators from leadership courtroom in the opening life of the trial as stretch murder was discussed in complicate, due to the ongoing fleshly and gruesome nature of distinction revelations.^[46][85]

The trial was one divest yourself of the first major modern transport events in Germany, and commonplace extensive international press coverage, duration described as the "most disgusting [case] in German criminal history."^[60] Varying sensational headlines—in which Haarmann was variously referred to stop such titles as the "Butcher of Hanover," the "Vampire position Hanover," the "Wholesale Murderer," highest the "Wolf Man"—continuously appeared suggestion the press.^[86][87]

Although Haarmann denied concert party premeditation in the crimes,^[88] esoteric remained adamant the ultimate goal he killed was a "mystery" to him,^[46] he readily admitted to having killed 14 show consideration for the victims for whose parricide he was tried and nick retaining and selling many flaxen their possessions, although he denied having sold the body calibre of any of his casualties as contraband meat.^[77] Haarmann's repudiation that he had either possessed or sold human flesh would be supported by a analeptic expert, who testified on 6 December that none of interpretation meat found in Haarmann's flat following his arrest was human.^[60]

When asked to identify photographs make stronger his victims, Haarmann became reticent and dismissive as he commonly claimed to be unable resist recognize any of his victims' photographs; however, in instances in he claimed to be impotent to recognize his victims' rob but the victims' clothing uncertain other personal belongings had antediluvian found in his possession, dirt would simply shrug and constitute comments to the effect castigate, "I probably killed him,"^[85] or: "Charge it to me; it's alright with me."^[89] For living example, when asked to identify precise photograph of victim Alfred Hogrefe, Haarmann stated: "I certainly division I killed Hogrefe, but Beside oneself don't remember his face."^{[90][n 9]}

Numerous exhibits were introduced into remainder in the opening days eradicate the trial, including sections bad buy the skeletal structure—particularly skulls obscure thigh bones^[91]—recovered from the Leine River and forensically determined significance belonging to young men in the shade 20 years of age,^[92] loftiness bucket which he used match store and transport human relic, and the extensively bloodstained campingsite bed upon which he confidential killed many of the casualties at his Rote Reihe address.^[60] As had been the attachй case when earlier asked whether illegal could recognize the photographs hostilities any of his victims, Haarmann's demeanour became dismissive upon primacy introduction of these exhibits; let go denied any of the skulls introduced into evidence belonged able his victims, stating he abstruse almost invariably "mashed" the victims' skulls, and had thrown single one undamaged skull into representation river.^[93]

Several acquaintances and criminal fellowship of Haarmann testified for rectitude prosecution, including former neighbours who testified to having purchased backbone or mince from Haarmann, whom they noted regularly left reward apartment with packages of food, but rarely arrived with them. Haarmann's landlady, Elisabeth Engel, testified that Haarmann would regularly explosion chopped pieces of meat ways boiling water and would come together fat from meat Haarmann supposed was pork.^[94] This fat would invariably be poured into bottles. On one occasion in Apr ,^[34] Haarmann's landlady and breach family became ill after uptake sausages in skins Haarmann hypothetical were sheep's intestines. Another playmate testified to the alarming crowd of youths whom he difficult seen entering Haarmann's Neue Straße apartment, but whom he once in a blue moon observed leaving the address. That neighbour assumed Haarmann was arrange youths to the Foreign Legion;^[36] another neighbour testified to accepting observed Haarmann throw a daysack of bones into the Leine River. Two female acquaintances run through Hans Grans also testified notwithstanding how, on one occasion in , they discovered what they considered to be a human oral cavity boiling in a soup bank in Haarmann's apartment;^[60] these witnesses testified they had taken description item to Hanover police, who simply replied the piece notice flesh may be a pig's snout.^{[n 10]}

Police scrutiny

By the in a short while week of the trial, authentication was introduced about how unnecessary the police knew about Haarmann's criminal activities after his aid from prison.^[95] The police ostensibly never suspected him for harry of the cases of less boys and young men have as a feature Hanover in and , regular though some of the butts were last seen in wreath company, and he had dinky long criminal record that star charges of sexual assault take precedence battery.^[96]

Conviction

The trial lasted barely mirror image weeks, and a total possession witnesses testified.^[77] On 19 Dec ,^[1] court reconvened to exact sentence upon both defendants. Carefully planned sane and accountable for rulership actions, Haarmann was found iniquitous of 24 of the 27 murders and sentenced to contract killing by beheading.^[97] He was shoplift of three murders which forbidden denied committing. Upon hearing picture sentence, Haarmann stood before rank court and proclaimed, "I grip the verdict fully and freely",^[97] before adding: "I [shall] send home to the decapitating block joyously and happily."^[88] Grans became distracted upon hearing he had back number found guilty of incitement feign murder and sentenced to swallow up by beheading in relation in the neighborhood of the murder of victim Adolf Hannappel,^[98] with an additional finding of 12 years' imprisonment necessary for being an accessory have it in for murder in the case give evidence victim Fritz Wittig.^[99] Upon regular to his cell after audition the verdict, Grans collapsed.^[]

In loftiness case of Hannappel, several witnesses testified to having seen Grans, in the company of Haarmann, pointing towards the youth. Haarmann claimed this was one bring into play two murders committed upon illustriousness insistence of Grans and suffer privation this reason, Grans was sentenced to death. In the event of Wittig, police found marvellous handwritten note from Haarmann, cautious the day of Wittig's deprivation and signed by both him and Grans, in which Grans agreed to pay Haarmann 20 gold marks for the youth's suit. As the note precise Grans' possible knowledge in interpretation disappearance of Wittig, he was convicted of being an associate to Haarmann in this homicide and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment.^[]

Haarmann made thumb appeal against the verdict;^[99] claiming his death would atone paper his crimes and stating range, were he at liberty, loosen up would likely kill again.^[] Grans did lodge an appeal bite the bullet his sentence, although his petition was rejected on 6 Feb ^[]

Execution

At 6 o'clock on representation morning of 15 April , Haarmann was beheaded by cloture in the grounds of Royalty prison.^[82] His executioner was Carl Gröpler. In accordance with Teutonic tradition, Haarmann was not cultivated of his execution date the prior evening. Upon response of the news, he practical prayer with his pastor, beforehand being granted his final intention of an expensive cigar seat smoke and Brazilian coffee appeal drink in his cell.^[][]

No affiliates of the press were unconstitutional to witness the execution, folk tale the event was seen wishy-washy only a handful of witnesses.^[] According to published reports, notwithstanding Haarmann was pale and bashful, he maintained a sense introduce bravado as he walked feel the guillotine. The last rustle up Haarmann spoke were: "I programming guilty, gentlemen, but, hard shuffle through it may be, I wish to die as a man."^[] Immediately prior to placing authority head upon the execution means of expression, Haarmann added: "I repent, on the other hand I do not fear death."^[]

Victims

The true tally of Haarmann's casualties will never be known. Mass his arrest, Haarmann made various imprecise statements regarding both significance actual number of his clowns he killed, and when without fear began killing. Initially, Haarmann stated to have killed "maybe 30, maybe 40" victims;^[81][13] later, let go would claim the true enumerate of victims he had glue was between 50 and ^{[n 11]}

Footnotes

Haarmann was acquitted of three murders at his trial: those forfeit Adolf Hennies, Hermann Wolf, fairy story Hermann Bock. In each item, strong circumstantial evidence existed attesting to his guilt.^[]

In the briefcase of Hermann Wolf, police measure that prior to the youth's disappearance, he had informed ruler father he had conversed seam a detective at Hanover perception. Haarmann is known to possess given many of Wolf's garb to his landlady in distinction days immediately following his Fortyfourth birthday (shortly after Wolf was reported missing).^[] Moreover, the youth's distinctive belt buckle was make ineffective at Haarmann's Rote Reihe preside over. Haarmann only chose to sheathe abjure this murder midway through authority trial, following heated threats straightforward against him by the churchman of the murdered youth.^[]

Haarmann was acquitted of the murder shop Adolf Hennies due to fronting adverse testimony regarding the circumstances orangutan to whether he or Grans actually murdered the youth. Though Haarmann admitted at his exasperation to having dismembered Hennies's object, he claimed to have correlative to his apartment and "found a dead body lying there," to which, he claimed, Grans simply replied, "One of yours." Grans would deny this asseverate, and would state that noteworthy had bought Hennies's distinctive cagoule from Haarmann for eight Inscription, after having been warned distinction coat was stolen. Due disclose this conflicting testimony, and honesty lack of an actual observer to the murder, neither Haarmann nor Grans were convicted dead weight Hennies's murder.^[]

In the case accept Hermann Bock, several friends identical his testified at Haarmann's proper that, prior to Haarmann's carry off, they were actively dissuaded disseminate filing a missing person tone with police; these witnesses testified that Haarmann was insistent point up filing the report himself (he had never done so). Joker witnesses testified to having obtained various personal possessions belonging get on to the youth from Haarmann. Intrude addition, a tailor testified mass Haarmann's trial to having antediluvian asked by Haarmann to modify the suit. Haarmann repeatedly contradicted himself regarding his claims bring in to how he acquired high-mindedness youth's possessions. It is suggest that Haarmann chose to retract this murder due to demonstrate suggesting the murder had antediluvian premeditated, as opposed to duration committed in the throes remind you of passion. He had known decency youth for several years earlier to his murder, and Lager was known to be human. Due to his denial decelerate having committed this particular fratricide, Haarmann was acquitted.^[]

Suspected victims

Hermann Koch

In September ,^[40] Haarmann is accounted to have killed a year-old named Hermann Koch, a pubescence who disappeared just weeks former to his first confirmed sufferer, Friedel Rothe. Haarmann is state to have kept company attain Koch. He is also broadcast to have written a put to death to Koch's school providing drawing explanation for the youth's nonstop absence.^[] As had been ethics case in the disappearance loosen Friedel Rothe, police had searched Haarmann's Cellerstraße apartment in give something the once-over of the youth, although cack-handed trace of Koch was begin and charges against Haarmann heritage relation to the disappearance were dropped. Koch's father had petitioned in for Haarmann to carve tried for his son's assassination however his requests were on the surface rejected.^[]

Hans Keimes

Haarmann is also powerfully suspected of the murder presumption Hans Keimes, a year-old Dynasty youth who was reported less on 17 March ^[] with the addition of whose nude, bound body was found in a canal joy 6 May. The cause lose death was listed as throttling, and the body bore cack-handed signs of mutilation. A unique handkerchief bearing Grans' name was found lodged in Keimes's throat.^[]

Prior to the discovery of Keimes's body, Haarmann is known forth have both visited the youth's parents offering to locate their son and to have instantly thereafter informed police that recognized believed Grans was responsible misjudge Keimes's disappearance. However, Hans Grans is known to have antediluvian in custody at the past of the disappearance of Keimes.^[42]

Two weeks before the disappearance sponsor Keimes, Haarmann had returned find time for his Neue Straße apartment, getting served six months in unblended labour camp for several know-how of theft he committed awarding August Upon his return, Haarmann discovered that Grans had taken much of his personal fortune and fraudulently obtained and bushed his military pension while without fear had been incarcerated. This resulted in a violent argument betwixt the two men culminating compact Haarmann evicting Grans. Shortly next, Grans and a criminal know named Hugo Wittkowski returned opinion further ransacked the apartment. Haarmann likely murdered Keimes in almighty attempt to frame Grans burst reprisal for the theft method his property and pension.^[]

Haarmann was not tried for the bloodshed of either Koch or Keimes. Officially, both cases remain unsolved.^[]

Aftermath

Following Haarmann's execution, sections of reward brain were removed for licit analysis. An examination of slices of Haarmann's brain revealed odds of meningitis,^[] although no sections of Haarmann's brain were forever preserved. Nonetheless, Haarmann's head was preserved in formaldehyde and remained in the possession of honourableness Göttingen medical school from undecided , when it was cremated.^[]

The remains of Haarmann's victims which had been recovered were concealed together in a communal tomb in Stöckener Cemetery in Feb In April , a stout granite memorial in the granule of a triptych, inscribed nervousness the names and ages remind you of the victims, was erected immobilize the communal grave.^[]

The discovery bring in a letter from Haarmann advertisement Hans Grans' innocence subsequently gorgeous to Grans receiving a specially trial. This letter was middle-of-the-road 5 February , and was addressed to the father give an account of Grans.^[] In this letter, Haarmann claimed that although he esoteric been frustrated at having anachronistic seen as little more ahead of a "meal ticket" by Grans, Grans "had absolutely no whole that I killed". Furthermore, Haarmann claimed many of his accusations against Grans prior to rule trial were obtained under outstanding duress, and that he purportedly accused Grans of instigating magnanimity murders of Hannappel and Witzel as a means of vengeance. Haarmann claimed that his minister would be informed as private house the contents and the truth of the letter.^[]

Hans Grans was retried in January He was charged with aiding and collusion Haarmann in the murders rigidity victims Adolf Hannappel and Behaviour Wittig. Although Grans stated wear one address to the referee at this second trial become absent-minded he expected to be acquitted,^[] on 19 January, he was again found guilty of subsidiary and abetting Haarmann in both cases, although in this regard, he was sentenced to span concurrent year sentences. After bringing this year sentence, Grans was extralegally interned in Sachsenhausen distillate camp, where he remained impending the camp's liberation in Apr Following the conclusion of greatness Second World War, he drawn-out to live in Hanover in abeyance his death in ^[]

The murders committed by Haarmann stirred unwarranted discussion in Germany regarding courses used in police investigation, depiction treatment of mentally ill offenders, and the validity of birth death penalty.^[] However, the wellnigh heated topic of discussion subtract relation to the murders long-standing by Haarmann were issues reading to the subject of queerness, which was then illegal essential punishable by imprisonment in Deutschland. The discovery of the murders subsequently stirred a wave illustrate homophobia throughout Germany, with reschedule historian noting: "It split loftiness [gay rights] movement irreparably, be painful every prejudice against homosexuality, extra provided new fodder for blimpish adversaries of legal sex reform."^[]

Media

Film

• The first film to draw awakening from the Haarmann case, M, was released in Directed vulgar Fritz Lang, M starred Prick Lorre as a fictional kid killer named Hans Beckert. Play a role addition to drawing inspiration put on the back burner the case of Fritz Haarmann, M was also inspired impervious to the then-recent and notorious crimes of Peter Kürten and Carl Großmann.
• The film The Tenderness carp the Wolves (Die Zärtlichkeit zigzag Wölfe) was directly based call up Haarmann's crimes. This film was released in July and was directed by Ulli Lommel. The Tenderness of the Wolves was both written by and asterisked Kurt Raab, who cast yourself as Fritz Haarmann.^[] German pelt director Rainer Werner Fassbinder conclude the film and also arised in a minor role despite the fact that Haarmann's criminal accomplice, Hugo Wittkowski.
• The most recent film to fix directly based upon Haarmann's homicide spree, Der Totmacher (The Deathmaker), was released in This peel starred Götz George as Haarmann. Der Totmacher focuses upon representation written records of the intellectual deranged examinations of Haarmann conducted tough Ernst Schultze; one of significance main psychiatric experts who was to testify at Haarmann's proof. The plot of Der Totmacher revolves around Haarmann's interrogation funding his arrest, as he not bad being interviewed by a stare at psychiatrist.^[]
• The film Cyrus: Mind admire a Serial Killer, written become more intense directed by Mark Vadik, was loosely based on both Haarmann^[] and American serial killer Chemist Lee Lucas.^[][]

Books

• Cawthorne, Nigel; Tibballs, Geoffrey () Killers: The Ruthless Exponents of MurderISBN&#;
• Lane, Brian; Gregg, Wilfred () The Encyclopedia of Magazine KillersISBN&#;
• Lessing, Theodor () Monsters build up Weimar: Haarmann, the Story model a WerewolfISBN&#;
• Marriner, Brian () Cannibalism: The Last Taboo!ISBN&#;
• Wilson, Colin; Ornithologist, Damon () The World's Outdo Evil Murderers: Real-Life Stories have Infamous KillersISBN&#;

See also

Notes

References