The Hinterkaifeck Murders: Unsolved Mystery of the Brutal 1922 Farmhouse Slayings

In March 1922, six members of the Gruber family were brutally murdered on their small farm in Bavaria, Germany. The case is still unsolved.

Victims

• Andreas Gruber (63)
• His wife, Cäzilia (72)
• Their daughter, Viktoria Gabriel (35)
• Viktoria's children: Cäzilia (7) and Josef (2)
• The maid, Maria Baumgartner (44)

The bodies were found on April 4, 1922, four days after the murders, when neighbors noticed the family was missing and checked the farm.

Details of the Crime

The murders were carried out with a mattock, a farming tool. Andreas, Cäzilia, Viktoria, and her daughter were killed in the barn, while Maria and Josef were murdered in the house.

Before the murders, Andreas reported odd events: unexplained footprints in the snow leading to the house, noises in the attic, and missing keys. After the murders, it appeared the killer stayed on the farm, feeding the animals, using the family's food, and even lighting fires in the fireplace.

Investigation

Despite a thorough investigation and questioning over 100 suspects, the police couldn't identify the killer. Theories ranged from family disputes to vagrants and even supernatural causes. Some suggested Viktoria's late husband might have returned under a false name or that someone close to the family committed the crime.

The farm was demolished a year later, and the reasons behind the murders remain unknown.

Background

Viktoria Gabriel, a widow, lived on the Hinterkaifeck farm with her two children and her elderly parents. A former maid had quit after reporting strange noises and feeling watched, but there was no evidence to support this. A new maid, Maria Baumgartner, began working on March 31, 1922.

Discovery of the Bodies

On April 4, 1922, neighbors noticed the Gruber family was missing and went to the farm. They found the bodies under hay in the barn and in the house. All victims had severe head injuries. Andreas and Cäzilia, as well as Viktoria and her daughter, showed signs of extreme violence. Maria and Josef were also found dead, with similar head injuries.

Police Investigation

Local residents quickly arrived at the crime scene, inadvertently damaging evidence. The police from Munich arrived and found that the victims had been lured to the barn one by one. The murder weapon was identified as a mattock or pickaxe, which was later found in the attic during the demolition of the farm.

The murders were determined to have occurred on the night of March 31. Initially, the police thought it was a robbery, but when cash was found untouched, they considered other motives.

It seemed the killer stayed on the farm for some days, feeding the animals and using the family’s food. Neighbors reported seeing smoke from the chimney after the murders.

Scandals and Suspects

During the investigation, rumors about the Gruber family emerged, including a complaint about incest involving Andreas and Viktoria. Andreas and Viktoria were found guilty and served prison time.

Some witnesses reported seeing a mysterious man near the farm. Over 100 suspects were questioned, including:

• Lorenz Schlittenbauer: A neighbor who helped discover the bodies. He was romantically involved with Viktoria and later took responsibility for her child. He was cleared of suspicion.
• Karl Gabriel: Viktoria’s husband, who was thought to be dead but was rumored to have returned for revenge. Investigators confirmed his death, and the theory was abandoned.

Aftermath

The investigation went cold, and the case was closed in 1955. In 2007, the Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy reopened the investigation but couldn't solve it due to lost evidence and deceased witnesses. They have a theory but have kept it private to respect the suspect’s descendants.

Today

The Hinterkaifeck case continues to be discussed in books, movies, articles, and podcasts. The farm no longer exists, but a memorial stands at the site where visitors can pay their respects. The town is now called Waidhofen.