Hinterkaifeck Murders

Unusual prelude events

Andreas found a Munich newspaper no one nearby subscribed to; fresh tracks led from the woods to the farm; a key went missing; footsteps were heard in the attic.

1. Andreas Gruber found a Munich newspaper on the property that the household did not subscribe to and that neighbors reportedly denied leaving.
2. He reported footprints in the snow leading from the edge of the woods toward the farm, without a corresponding set leading away.
3. A house key was reported missing shortly before the killings.
4. Footsteps were reportedly heard in the attic; Andreas searched but did not find an intruder.

Murders at Hinterkaifeck

Investigators placed the killings between about 7 and 10 p.m. Four victims were found in the barn and Josef and Maria inside the residence. The often-repeated claim that each barn victim was deliberately lured there is a reconstruction, not an established fact.

1. Andreas, the elder Cäzilia, Viktoria, and young Cäzilia are attacked in or near the barn.
2. Cäzilia (child) is killed in the barn; later evidence suggests she lived for hours after the assault.
3. Perpetrator kills Josef in his bassinet and Maria in her chamber using the same weapon.
4. Later observations—among them tended animals and signs of household use—suggest activity at the farm after the killings; its duration and perpetrator are uncertain.

Murders at Hinterkaifeck

Investigators placed the killings between about 7 and 10 p.m. Four victims were found in the barn and Josef and Maria inside the residence. The often-repeated claim that each barn victim was deliberately lured there is a reconstruction, not an established fact.

1. Andreas, the elder Cäzilia, Viktoria, and young Cäzilia are attacked in or near the barn.
2. Cäzilia (child) is killed in the barn; later evidence suggests she lived for hours after the assault.
3. Perpetrator kills Josef in his bassinet and Maria in her chamber using the same weapon.
4. Later observations—among them tended animals and signs of household use—suggest activity at the farm after the killings; its duration and perpetrator are uncertain.

Marriage of Viktoria Gruber and Karl Gabriel; farm ownership transfer

Viktoria married Karl Gabriel; ownership of the farm was transferred to the couple on that date.

Karl Gabriel reported killed in World War I

Viktoria’s husband, Karl Gabriel, was reportedly killed at the Battle of Arras; his body was not recovered.

Murders at Hinterkaifeck

Investigators placed the killings between about 7 and 10 p.m. Four victims were found in the barn and Josef and Maria inside the residence. The often-repeated claim that each barn victim was deliberately lured there is a reconstruction, not an established fact.

1. Andreas, the elder Cäzilia, Viktoria, and young Cäzilia are attacked in or near the barn.
2. Cäzilia (child) is killed in the barn; later evidence suggests she lived for hours after the assault.
3. Perpetrator kills Josef in his bassinet and Maria in her chamber using the same weapon.
4. Later observations—among them tended animals and signs of household use—suggest activity at the farm after the killings; its duration and perpetrator are uncertain.

Murders at Hinterkaifeck

Investigators placed the killings between about 7 and 10 p.m. Four victims were found in the barn and Josef and Maria inside the residence. The often-repeated claim that each barn victim was deliberately lured there is a reconstruction, not an established fact.

1. Andreas, the elder Cäzilia, Viktoria, and young Cäzilia are attacked in or near the barn.
2. Cäzilia (child) is killed in the barn; later evidence suggests she lived for hours after the assault.
3. Perpetrator kills Josef in his bassinet and Maria in her chamber using the same weapon.
4. Later observations—among them tended animals and signs of household use—suggest activity at the farm after the killings; its duration and perpetrator are uncertain.

Murders at Hinterkaifeck

Investigators placed the killings between about 7 and 10 p.m. Four victims were found in the barn and Josef and Maria inside the residence. The often-repeated claim that each barn victim was deliberately lured there is a reconstruction, not an established fact.

1. Andreas, the elder Cäzilia, Viktoria, and young Cäzilia are attacked in or near the barn.
2. Cäzilia (child) is killed in the barn; later evidence suggests she lived for hours after the assault.
3. Perpetrator kills Josef in his bassinet and Maria in her chamber using the same weapon.
4. Later observations—among them tended animals and signs of household use—suggest activity at the farm after the killings; its duration and perpetrator are uncertain.

Murders at Hinterkaifeck

Investigators placed the killings between about 7 and 10 p.m. Four victims were found in the barn and Josef and Maria inside the residence. The often-repeated claim that each barn victim was deliberately lured there is a reconstruction, not an established fact.

1. Andreas, the elder Cäzilia, Viktoria, and young Cäzilia are attacked in or near the barn.
2. Cäzilia (child) is killed in the barn; later evidence suggests she lived for hours after the assault.
3. Perpetrator kills Josef in his bassinet and Maria in her chamber using the same weapon.
4. Later observations—among them tended animals and signs of household use—suggest activity at the farm after the killings; its duration and perpetrator are uncertain.

Bodies discovered in barn and house

Around 3:30 p.m., Schlittenbauer sent his son and stepson to check on the family; later that day he, Michael Pöll, and Jakob Sigl entered the barn and found the bodies.

1. Lorenz Schlittenbauer sent his son Johann and stepson Josef to check the farm; they returned without finding the family.
2. Schlittenbauer went to Hinterkaifeck with Michael Pöll and Jakob Sigl and entered the barn area.
3. They found Andreas and Cäzilia Gruber, Viktoria Gabriel, and young Cäzilia in the barn, then found Maria Baumgartner and Josef inside the residence.
4. Authorities were notified, beginning a formal investigation at a scene that neighbors and other visitors had already entered.

Autopsies conducted over two days; skulls retained

Johann Baptist Aumüller conducted three autopsies on April 6 and three on April 7 at the farm. The victims’ skulls were removed for further examination in Munich and were later lost.

Mechanic repairs engine without seeing family

Mechanic Albert Hofner waited, then repaired an engine alone for several hours and left after seeing no one.

1. Albert Hofner arrived for a previously arranged engine repair but received no answer from the household.
2. After waiting about an hour, he worked alone on the engine for roughly four and a half hours.
3. Hofner left without seeing any member of the family and later reported the unexplained absence.

Bodies discovered in barn and house

Around 3:30 p.m., Schlittenbauer sent his son and stepson to check on the family; later that day he, Michael Pöll, and Jakob Sigl entered the barn and found the bodies.

1. Lorenz Schlittenbauer sent his son Johann and stepson Josef to check the farm; they returned without finding the family.
2. Schlittenbauer went to Hinterkaifeck with Michael Pöll and Jakob Sigl and entered the barn area.
3. They found Andreas and Cäzilia Gruber, Viktoria Gabriel, and young Cäzilia in the barn, then found Maria Baumgartner and Josef inside the residence.
4. Authorities were notified, beginning a formal investigation at a scene that neighbors and other visitors had already entered.

Bodies discovered in barn and house

Around 3:30 p.m., Schlittenbauer sent his son and stepson to check on the family; later that day he, Michael Pöll, and Jakob Sigl entered the barn and found the bodies.

1. Lorenz Schlittenbauer sent his son Johann and stepson Josef to check the farm; they returned without finding the family.
2. Schlittenbauer went to Hinterkaifeck with Michael Pöll and Jakob Sigl and entered the barn area.
3. They found Andreas and Cäzilia Gruber, Viktoria Gabriel, and young Cäzilia in the barn, then found Maria Baumgartner and Josef inside the residence.
4. Authorities were notified, beginning a formal investigation at a scene that neighbors and other visitors had already entered.