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Josef Fritzl (88) held his own daughter captive in the cellar for 24 years, abused her and fathered seven children with her. He made headlines around the world when his unspeakable atrocities were exposed in 2008. In 2009 he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Although it has been almost 16 years since the verdict, the case is once again causing a stir: Fritzl remains in custody, but is placed in normal prison. The crimes of the ‘Monster of Amstetten’, as he became known worldwide, still cause outrage. Blick reopened the case.
1980s: Extension of the cellar
About 44 years ago, the married Josef Fritzl built a soundproof prison of 60 square meters, 1.70 meters high under his house. Two rooms, a toilet and eight bunker doors secured with remote control. Even his wife is not allowed to know about it.
1984: Fritzl locks up his daughter
On August 28, 1984, the Austrian lured his then 18-year-old daughter Elisabeth to the basement under a pretext, where he then held her. She was reported missing a day later. Fritzl explains her disappearance to his family by saying that Elisabeth had joined a cult – they believe him.
While Fritzl plays the loving grandfather on the outside, his daughter starts a hellish life in the basement: she is raped by her father and literally enslaved.
years of captivity
During the 24 years of her captivity, Elisabeth gave birth to seven children. One of her sons dies a few days after birth and is burned in a cauldron by Fritzl. The other children are starting to run out of space in the bunker. That’s why he left a baby in front of his own house in 1992, 1993 and 1996 – claiming that his runaway daughter Elisabeth had left her there.
Rosemarie and Josef Fritzl take in the babies they supposedly left behind as foster or adopted children. The three other children, the daughter born in 1988/89 and a son born in 1989/90 and a son born in 2002, are still held captive in the basement together with their mother.
Fritzl always manages to hide the truth from the youth care organization. Neither the officers nor his wife suspect anything.
2008: discovery
When eldest daughter Kerstin becomes seriously ill, her mother begs Fritzl for medical help. The now 19-year-old was admitted to the Mostviertel Amstetten State Hospital on April 19, 2008. According to Fritzl, it would also have been left in front of the house.
A doctor becomes suspicious and informs the authorities. On the television in the basement, Elisabeth hears the call for the mother of the sick girl to contact her. At her insistence, Fritzl also takes her and her two sons to the hospital. He explains that his daughter has returned.
But the truth comes out. Fritzl is arrested and Elisabeth and her children receive medical care.
2009: The Trial
In 2009, Josef Fritzl had to stand trial at the St. Pölten Regional Court for negligent homicide, rape, deprivation of liberty, serious coercion and incest. He is sentenced to life imprisonment. Daughter Elisabeth (57) and her children have been living in an unknown location in Austria ever since.
2024: New report and conditional discharge
Forensic psychiatrist Heidi Kastner recently prepared a new report on the now 88-year-old. He is harmless, physically weak, confused and demented. His sex drive had completely disappeared.
On January 25, 2024, the regional court in Krems in Lower Austria decided to conditionally release Josef Fritzl from the implementation of the measures. So he remains in prison, but is transferred to the normal prison system.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
