Hinterkaifeck Murders - Germany 1922
Peter Stangassinger was identified as a suspect in the 1922 Hinterkaifeck murders on June 23, 2026, by a special cold case unit at the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, using DNA evidence from attic floorboards at the farmstead in Bavaria, Germany. As of June 23, 2026, this new evidence suggests a familial connection to victim Andreas Gruber, indicating a potential motive rooted in a dark family secret, blood debt, or revenge. The notorious unsolved case, which involved the brutal slaying of six people on March 31, 1922, has seen recent DNA analyses in 2025 and 2026 suggesting breakthroughs. A 2007 re-examination by students at the Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy had previously narrowed the suspect pool to one individual, whose identity was not publicly disclosed.
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June 2026 — 4 developments
A special cold case unit at the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office reportedly used DNA evidence f…
A special cold case unit at the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office reportedly used DNA evidence from attic floorboards to identify Peter Stangassinger as a suspect in the 1922 Hinterkaifeck murders. This new evidence suggests Stangassinger was related to victim Andreas Gruber, indicating the motive may have been rooted in a dark family secret, blood debt, or revenge.
Recent DNA analysis of attic floorboards in the Hinterkaifeck murders suggests a familial connection to one of the victims, pointing to a motive rooted in a dark family secret.
Recent DNA analysis of attic floorboards in the Hinterkaifeck murders suggests a familial connection to one of the victims, pointing to a motive rooted in a dark family secret. The perpetrator's identity remains unconfirmed in the notorious unsolved case from March 31, 1922.
A 2007 re-examination of the Hinterkaifeck murders by students at the Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy reportedly narrowed the suspect pool to one individual.
A 2007 re-examination of the Hinterkaifeck murders by students at the Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy reportedly narrowed the suspect pool to one individual. The identity of this individual has not been publicly disclosed out of respect for living relatives. The case, which occurred on March 31, 1922, remains unsolved.
Recent analyses in 2025 and 2026 suggest potential breakthroughs via DNA evidence in the unsolved Hinterkaifeck murders.
Recent analyses in 2025 and 2026 suggest potential breakthroughs via DNA evidence in the unsolved Hinterkaifeck murders. The 1922 case involved the brutal slaying of six people on an isolated farmstead in Bavaria. Details surrounding the DNA evidence remain complex and debated.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Autopsy findings from the Hinterkaifeck murders revealed that young Cäzilia, one of the victims, clung to life for hours after the attack.
Autopsy findings from the Hinterkaifeck murders revealed that young Cäzilia, one of the victims, clung to life for hours after the attack.
April 2025 — 2 developments
It was noted that no valuables were stolen from the farm during the Hinterkaifeck murders.
It was noted that no valuables were stolen from the farm during the Hinterkaifeck murders.
The new memorial at Hinterkaifeck was inaugurated on April 5, 2025.
The new memorial at Hinterkaifeck was inaugurated on April 5, 2025. It consists of five steles created by stonemason René Kress and was commissioned by the Waidhofen Horticultural Association.
March 2025 — 1 developments
Former farmhands Anton and Karl Bichler were identified as suspects, implicated by their sister, a former maid, in a deathbed confession.
Former farmhands Anton and Karl Bichler were identified as suspects, implicated by their sister, a former maid, in a deathbed confession.
December 2024 — 1 developments
A prominent theory suggests that Karl Gabriel Jr.
A prominent theory suggests that Karl Gabriel Jr., Viktoria Gruber's deceased husband, may have survived World War I and returned to commit the crime.
January 2007 — 1 developments
The Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy re-examined the Hinterkaifeck Murders as a cold case using modern criminological techniques, but the case remains unsolved.
The Fürstenfeldbruck Police Academy re-examined the Hinterkaifeck Murders as a cold case using modern criminological techniques, but the case remains unsolved.
January 1955 — 1 developments
The official investigation into the Hinterkaifeck murders was closed, with no charges brought against any suspects.
The official investigation into the Hinterkaifeck murders was closed, with no charges brought against any suspects.
January 1923 — 1 developments
The Hinterkaifeck farm was demolished.
The Hinterkaifeck farm was demolished. The victims' heads, which had been sent for examination, were lost during World War II.
April 1922 — 2 developments
Court physician Johann Baptist Aumüller performed autopsies, establishing a mattock as the likely murder weapon.
Court physician Johann Baptist Aumüller performed autopsies, establishing a mattock as the likely murder weapon. It was also determined that the killer(s) had remained on the farm for several days after the murders, feeding livestock and eating meals.
Neighbors, concerned after the family's absence from church and young Cäzilia missing school, investigated the farm and discovered the bodies.
Neighbors, concerned after the family's absence from church and young Cäzilia missing school, investigated the farm and discovered the bodies. Four bodies were found in the barn, and two inside the house.
March 1922 — 2 developments
Maria Baumgartner arrived to begin her first day as the new maid.
Maria Baumgartner arrived to begin her first day as the new maid. Later that evening, all six inhabitants of the Hinterkaifeck farm were brutally murdered with a mattock.
The previous maid quit her job, claiming the house was haunted.
The previous maid quit her job, claiming the house was haunted.
February 1922 — 1 developments
Andreas Gruber, the patriarch, reported finding strange footprints in the snow leading to the farm but none leading away.
Andreas Gruber, the patriarch, reported finding strange footprints in the snow leading to the farm but none leading away. The family also found a newspaper they hadn't purchased and experienced missing house keys and unusual noises in the attic.