On March 31, 1922, a mysterious killer murdered a German family of five. The victims were Andreas (63) and Cäzilia Gruber (72). Their daughter was Viktoria Gabriel (35). Viktoria’s children were Cäzilia (7) and Josef (2). The family’s maid, Maria Baumgartner (44), was also killed. To this day, the killer has never been identified.

Strange Events Leading Up to the Murders

Prior to the Hinterkaifeck murders, strange occurrences started happening on the farmstead. Several incidents indicated that something was afoot. Andreas Gruber had reported hearing strange noises in the attic. He even claimed to have found footprints in the snow. These footprints led from the forest to the house but not back out again. He suspected someone had been living in the attic but couldn’t find anyone. Gruber also reported finding a set of unfamiliar footprints leading to the farm but not away from it. A few days before the murders, the family maid, Maria Baumgartner, had been hired. People said that she left the house briefly. She had expressed fear, about the strange events surrounding the farm. Then, in March 1922, Andreas Gruber found a newspaper from Munich on the farmstead. He could not recall buying it. At first, he thought there was a mix-up with the postman. Later, it was discovered that no one nearby subscribed to this specific paper.

The Grisly Scene Of The Hinterkaifeck Murders

On April 4, 1922, neighbors became concerned after the family had not been seen for several days. Lorenz Schlittenbauer, a neighbor, led a group to the farmstead. Inside the barn, they found the bodies of Andreas Gruber and his wife Cäzilia. They also discovered their daughter Viktoria Gabriel and Viktoria’s daughter Cäzilia. All four were covered with hay. Unsolved: Haunting Crime Scene Photos of The Murders at Hinterkaifeck Farm They then found the bodies of Viktoria’s young son, Josef, and the maid, Maria Baumgartner, inside the house. All six victims had head injuries. These injuries were caused by a mattock, a type of farm tool similar to a hatchet. This tool was never found. The discovery was gruesome, with some victims showing signs of having survived for hours after. Despite a thorough investigation, the murderer was never found, and the case remains unsolved to this day.

Crime scene and Investigation

Police quickly noticed that the crime scene had been disturbed by curious locals. Some even cooked meals in the farmhouse. This tampered with crucial evidence. The initial examination showed that the victims were lured to the barn one by one. Each was killed with blows to the head. The farmhouse itself showed signs of someone having lived there for several days after the killings. Various items were moved around, adding to the confusion for investigators. Detectives searched the farmhouse and the barn for clues. They interviewed neighbors and pieced together a timeline. Despite their efforts, they struggled with the lack of reliable witnesses and clear evidence. Many people interacted with the crime scene. This made it difficult to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant clues. The investigation into the Hinterkaifeck murders had continued for decades. In 2007, the Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy reopened the case as a cold case. They analyzed old evidence with modern forensic techniques, hoping to find new leads. Despite these efforts, the case remains unsolved. The farmhouse was demolished less than a year after the murders, erasing potential evidence.

Suspect and Theories

While many theories and suspects have been discussed over the years, none have led to a definitive answer. The Hinterkaifeck murders stay one of the most puzzling unsolved cases in criminal history. There is a lack of clear evidence. The farm’s isolated location contributes to the challenge. This has made it difficult to pinpoint the true culprit. As a result, the case remains shrouded in mystery and speculation.