On the night of March 31, 1922, one of Germany’s most disturbing unsolved crimes took place on a remote farmstead known as Hinterkaifeck, located near the village of Waidhofen, Bavaria.
Six members of the Gruber family, including the maid who had just started working that day, were brutally murdered with a mattock, or grub axe, in a case that remains shrouded in mystery. With no clear motive and a slew of eerie details, the Hinterkaifeck murders continue to intrigue and horrify nearly a century later.
The Victims
The six victims were Andreas Gruber (63), his wife Cäzilia (72), their daughter Viktoria Gabriel (35), Viktoria’s children, Cäzilia (7) and Josef (2), and the maid Maria Baumgartner (44). Four bodies were found stacked in the barn, while the maid and young Josef were discovered dead inside the house. It was evident that the murderer(s) stayed on the farm for several days after the murders, eating the family’s food, tending to the livestock, and using the family’s fireplace. This chilling behaviour is one of many reasons why the case has captivated people worldwide.
Prelude to Murder: Strange Occurrences
Before the tragic night, the Gruber family experienced a series of unsettling incidents. Six months before, the family’s previous maid had left, allegedly because she believed the house was haunted by strange noises, especially in the attic. In the days leading up to the murders, Andreas Gruber found a newspaper in the house that neither he nor his neighbours recognized. He also discovered mysterious footprints in the snow leading from the nearby woods to the house, but none returned. Despite these eerie occurrences, the family continued with their lives, only discussing the events with neighbours.
The Night of the Murders
On March 31, Maria Baumgartner, a new maid, arrived at Hinterkaifeck. That night, it is believed that family members were lured one by one into the barn, where they were brutally struck down. After killing Andreas, his wife Cäzilia, Viktoria, and her daughter in the barn, the murderer(s) entered the house, where they killed Josef in his crib and Maria in her bedroom.
Discovery of the Bodies
It wasn’t until April 4, four days later, that neighbours finally discovered the bodies. Mechanic Albert Hofner, who arrived to repair a machine, had spent hours working nearby, unaware of the grisly scene inside. When family friend Lorenz Schlittenbauer and others entered the property, they were met with a gruesome sight. The family members had been bludgeoned, and it was clear that someone had lived in the home post-murder, feeding animals and even eating from the pantry.
Investigation and Suspects
The investigation was complicated by tampered evidence; neighbours and townsfolk had disturbed the crime scene, cooking meals in the house and moving items. Police were left without leads or a clear motive. Though robbery was initially suspected, money remained untouched.
Key Suspects
1. Lorenz Schlittenbauer: A neighbour with a possible personal connection, Schlittenbauer was rumoured to be the father of Viktoria’s son, Josef. His suspicious behaviour at the crime scene, including unlocking the house’s door (a key had recently gone missing), raised concerns. Some speculated he had a financial motive if Viktoria demanded support for Josef, or he may have killed in a fit of jealousy or rage.
2. Karl Gabriel: Viktoria’s husband, reportedly killed in World War I, was rumoured to have survived and returned under a different identity. Some believe he could have been the killer, especially given the incestuous relationship between Andreas and Viktoria that might have fueled rage. Allegations surfaced that German-speaking Soviet officers had mentioned the crime while held in captivity.
3. Adolf and Anton Gump: Members of the Freikorps, the Gump brothers were suspected due to connections with violent activities. Their sister’s deathbed confession named them as the murderers, but with one brother deceased and little concrete evidence, the case against them was eventually dropped.
4. Paul Mueller: In the book The Man from the Train, author Bill James suggests that Paul Mueller, a German migrant and suspected serial killer in the U.S., might have been responsible. James argues that Mueller, who targeted families in rural settings and used similar methods, might have returned to Germany, continuing his violent spree.
5. Other Suspects: The Bichler brothers and others who had worked on the farm and knew the layout were also investigated. Some had voiced disdain for the family or expressed familiarity with the property, making them potential suspects.
Unsettling Details and Inconsistencies
The case contains a litany of chilling details. For instance:
- The family’s previous maid reportedly left due to paranormal fears.
- Andreas Gruber discovered footprints in the snow that led only towards the house
- A school friend of young Cäzilia said the girl spoke of her mother’s recent attempt to flee after a heated argument.
- A passerby noted that a foul-smelling fire had burned in the home’s oven on the night of the murders, possibly used by the killer to destroy evidence.
Despite extensive investigations and a parade of suspects, no one was ever charged, and the case was officially closed in 1955.
Legacy and Speculation
The Hinterkaifeck murders remain a dark fascination, with documentaries, books, and theories keeping the case alive. In 1923, the farm was demolished, but the mystery remains unsolved. Whether it was a deranged outsider or someone close to the family with a deep-seated grudge, the truth about who committed these brutal killings has been lost to history.
