Fritz Haaarmann (1879-1925) was a German serial killer and one of the most notorious criminals in the country’s history. He was responsible for the murders of at least 24 people – mostly young boys and men – in the city of Hanover during the 1920s.
Haaarmann was born in Hanover in 1879. He had a difficult childhood. His father was an alcoholic and his mother had a mental illness, which caused her to be institutionalized for many years. He left school at the age of 14 and was constantly in trouble with the law, often for petty crimes such as theft and fraud.
Haaarmann's first known victim was a young prostitute he murdered in 1918. He was arrested but released without charge due to a lack of evidence. He then began to target young men and boys, luring them back to his apartment with the promise of alcohol or sex. He would then strangle them, often biting them on the neck as he did so, before dismembering their bodies and disposing of the remains.
In 1924, police finally caught up with Haaarmann, arresting him on suspicion of the murders. He confessed to 24 killings, although the true number of his victims is unknown. His trial was a sensation and he became a household name in Germany. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by beheading. His execution was carried out in 1925.
Haaarmann's story has been the subject of numerous books, films and plays. He remains one of the most infamous figures in German criminal history and a symbol of the depravity and horror of which humans are capable. His life and death have been used to highlight the flaws in the criminal justice system, which allowed him to remain free for so many years despite his long history of criminal behaviour.
