The Forgotten Cannibal

Karl Denke (February 12, 1860 – February 22, 1924) was a Prussian serial killer and cannibal who killed and cannibalized dozens of homeless vagrants and travelers from 1903-1924. He is credited with killing at least 40 people.

Born in Münsterberg, Silesia, which is what was once known as the Kingdom of Prussia, coming from a wealthy family that worked as farmers. As a child, Denke proved to be difficult for his parents to raise; at the age of twelve, he even ran away from home. When he graduated from elementary school, he started an apprenticeship under a gardener, and then started life on his own at the age of 25.

Soon after, his father died. His brother took over the family farm while Karl was given money to buy some land. Being an unsuccessful farmer, he sold the land and bought a house in town (on present Stawowa Street). However recession forced him to sell again this property. He was finally left with a little apartment on first floor and a small shed in the backyard of the house.

His first known victim was Ida Launer, in 1903. Six years later, in 1909, he killed 25-year-old Emma Sander (another slaughterhouse worker, Eduard Trautmann, was found guilty of her murder and sentenced to 12 years, but was released after the truth was discovered). His last known victim was Rochus Pawlick. Denke kept a ledger recording his murders. He is also believed to have sold the flesh of his victims as meat to unsuspecting customers.

On December 20, 1924, a homeless man named Vincenz Olivier escaped Denke after he attempted to kill him with an axe, slashing his scalp with it. He was found by a coachman named Gabriel and the authorities were alerted. Denke was arrested and questioned. He was placed in a holding cell, where he hanged himself just two days later. In his apartment police would find 100's of human bones.

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