On a quiet farm in Bavaria in 1922, six members of a family and their maid lost their lives under violent and bizarre circumstances. The events leading up to the murders included unsettling reports of unexplained noises, missing keys, and strange footprints in the snow, which left the local community both unsettled and on edge.

The case became even more perplexing when evidence suggested that the perpetrator may have remained at the farm for several days after the crime, attending to daily chores and giving the appearance of normal activity. Despite an extensive investigation, many aspects of the case—including the motives, identity of the killer, and connections among those involved—remain deeply mysterious.

Key Takeaways

A series of strange occurrences preceded the murders on the Bavarian farm.
The killer likely stayed at the property after committing the crime.
The investigation raised complex questions with few clear answers.

How the Hinterkaifeck Killings Came to Light

The First Disturbing Signs and Scene

On April 4, 1922, six bodies were uncovered at a small farmstead around 40 miles north of Munich. The crime took place at a rural property that was considered quite isolated. The area’s remoteness contributed to a delay in the discovery, as neighbors and acquaintances did not immediately notice anything out of the ordinary.

Below is a brief overview of where the grim discovery unfolded:

Location Description Farmstead Name Hinterkaifeck Distance from Munich ~40 miles north Setting Remote, Bavarian countryside Date Bodies Found April 4, 1922

Those who happened upon the scene were deeply unsettled by what they saw. The bodies of Andreas Gruber, his wife, their daughter, her two children, and the family’s new maid were all found brutally murdered — some were stacked on top of each other in the barn.

Events Leading to the Bodies Being Found

The chain of events began when several locals grew concerned after days passed without seeing any sign of life at the farm. Among those who checked on the property was a neighbor, accompanied by two friends. When they arrived, they found the house quiet, but signs suggested someone had been present after the date the murders likely took place. Witnesses later reported seeing smoke from the chimney and noticing that the animals had been cared for, despite the family being deceased.

A timeline of significant circumstances in the discovery:

Evening following the murders: Smoke seen coming from the farmhouse chimney; a person carrying a torch spotted outside.
Two days after the murders: A mechanic works on the property for hours, sees no one, but notices the family dog tied up and the barn door left open.
Day of discovery: The group finds the bodies and observes still more unusual details, such as the family’s animals having been recently fed.

The killer appeared to remain on the property for several days after committing the murders, tending to livestock and preparing meals, which only increased the shock experienced by those who found the victims.

Peculiar Happenings Before the Killings

Disturbing Sounds and the Maid’s Fearful Departure

In the months preceding the tragedy, unsettling sounds began to trouble the farmhouse. Reports included persistent noises like scratching and tapping coming from the attic, which unnerved the household. The previous live-in maid became so distressed by these occurrences that she abruptly resigned, refusing ever to return to the property.

Odd Tracks and the Disappearing House Key

Days before the violent events, Andreas Gruber, the homeowner, discovered a trail of footprints leading from the surrounding forest straight to the farm. Strangely, no tracks were found heading in the opposite direction. That same night, unfamiliar noises echoed again from the attic, alarming the entire family. By the following day, it was noticed that one of the house keys had gone missing, adding to the growing sense of unease within the household.

Unusual Event Details Unknown Attic Noises Persistent, unsettling, not ordinary Maid’s Abrupt Resignation Left due to fear, wouldn’t return Footprints from Forest to Farm No tracks found leaving the premises Disappearance of House Key Key went missing on the eve of murders

These incidents, each troubling on their own, combined to create a deeply uneasy atmosphere within the farm in the days leading up to the killings.

Chronology and Specifics of the Offense

Order of the Murders

On the evening of March 31, 1922, events unfolded at a farm 40 miles north of Munich. The assailant is believed to have first concealed themselves in the barn. Four members of the Gruber family—Andreas, his wife, their daughter Victoria, and Victoria’s young daughter—were each led separately into the barn, where they were killed, their bodies later found stacked atop one another.
Afterward, the perpetrator entered the house, murdering the new maid in her bedroom and then Victoria’s youngest child, a two-year-old boy, as he lay in his cot. Each victim suffered fatal blows to the head delivered with a blunt weapon.

Information About the Victims

The following table outlines the six individuals who lost their lives that night:

Name Relationship Age Andreas Gruber Owner of the farm Adult Cazilia Gruber Andreas’s wife Adult Victoria Gabriel Andreas and Cazilia’s daughter Adult Cazilia Gabriel Victoria’s daughter Child Maria Baumgartner Newly hired maid Adult Josef Gabriel Victoria’s youngest child 2 years

All six were killed on the same night, and none survived the attack.

Aspects of the Crime Location

Several odd details mark the aftermath. Over four days following the killings, neighbors took note of smoke coming from the farmhouse chimney and spotted a figure in the yard at night, even as the victims lay dead inside.
During this period, farm chores, such as milking cows and feeding the animals, were carried out, and food was prepared in the kitchen, suggesting the murderer remained on the premises after the crime.
The main bodies were discovered in the barn, stacked together, while the maid and youngest child were found in their house bedrooms. Evidence like a missing house key, unexplained noises in the attic before the crime, and footprints approaching the house but not leaving, spoke to the unusual circumstances preceding the murders.

Unusual Happenings After the Murders

Evidence of Ongoing Activity at the Property

Multiple accounts provided by local residents indicate there was movement at the farm after the deaths. On the evening following the crime, a local carpenter noticed both smoke rising from the chimney and a person with a torch in the yard.

Two days later, a mechanic repairing equipment at the property saw no people during his hours of work, but the barn door was left open, and the family dog had been tied up outside. These observations were supported by later police findings.

Patterns of Normal Life Continued by the Offender

Despite all members of the household being deceased, animals at the farm appeared well cared for in the several days after the murders. The cows were milked, and pets were fed, as if everyday routines hadn’t stopped. There was clear evidence left in the kitchen that fresh meals had been both cooked and eaten.

This suggests the perpetrator remained at the scene, carrying out standard farm duties for approximately four days after the killings. The daily habits continued even as the crime itself remained entirely undiscovered by the community.

The Investigation Begins and Initial Theories

Early Doubts About Neighbor Lorenz Schlittenbauer

Following the discovery of the victims, attention swiftly turned to Lorenz Schlittenbauer, who lived on a neighboring farm. He, along with acquaintances, was among the first to enter the property after the family went unseen for several days.

Various rumors circulated regarding his possible relationship with one of the victims, Victoria. However, primary suspicion arose from his peculiar conduct during and after the discovery, leading investigators to focus on his potential involvement.

Actions and Conduct After the Discovery

Schlittenbauer's response at the crime scene raised eyebrows. Instead of displaying visible distress, he reportedly moved the bodies in the barn, which others found unusual. He then entered the main house using a key he produced himself, disregarding objections from others present about tampering with possible evidence.

When the authorities arrived, Schlittenbauer voluntarily handed over a pickaxe he believed to be the murder weapon. He defended his actions by stating he was searching for his missing son. The uncertainty around his motivations and the strange circumstances drew increased scrutiny from both investigators and the community.

Intricate Issues and Leading Hypotheses

Questions About Josef Gabriel’s Father

Uncertainty surrounds the identity of Josef Gabriel’s father. Victoria, Josef’s mother, had lost her husband several years prior to his birth, which leaves the possibility open regarding who actually fathered Josef. This ambiguity adds another layer of complexity to understanding events and relationships at the farm.

The speculation about Josef’s paternity affected both community suspicions and the direction of the initial investigation. Family dynamics and potential motives became less clear, making it harder to identify clear suspects or motivations.

Key Motives and Conjectures

Several main theories have emerged based on available evidence and unusual circumstances at the farm. Suspicion initially centered on the nearest neighbor, Lorenz Schlittenbauer. He was linked to Victoria through rumored relationships and his behavior on discovering the bodies was unconventional, such as entering the house with a key and handling the victims.

Below is a summary list of the main points that have led to speculation:

Strange Noises & Missing Key: Persistent attic sounds and the disappearance of a house key set the stage for later developments.
Footprints with No Exit: Tracks leading to the property without any leading away suggested someone entered but did not leave by the same means.
Presence After Murders: Signs, such as smoke from the chimney and meals prepared after the murders, indicated someone remained at the scene for days.
Personal Behavior: Schlittenbauer’s actions, like moving the bodies and producing a key, fueled suspicions due to their unusual nature.

The lack of resolution and multiple plausible explanations continue to make the case the subject of ongoing debate and analysis.

The Hinterkaifeck Murders: Bavaria's Most Chilling Unsolved Family Slaughter of 1922