Karl Denke

Karl Denke (August 12, 1870 – December 22, 1924) was a serial killer from Germany.

Denke was born in Münsterberg/Silesia in Germany, today's Ziębice in Poland. There is not a great deal of information about his early life, but in adulthood he was well liked in his community, and worked as an organ player at the local church.

On December 21, 1924, Denke was arrested after attacking a man at his house with an axe. Police searched Denke's home and found human flesh in huge jars of curing salts. A ledger contained the details of 40 people Denke had murdered and cannibalized over the years. It is thought he even sold the flesh of his victims at the Breslau (today's Wroclaw) market.

The day after his arrest, Denke hanged himself in his cell, meaning his exact motives can only be guessed at.

External links

* [http://www.denke.org/karldenke.htm Short biography] , other short articles: [http://www.denke.org/stowoe.htm] and [http://www.denke.org/stowoe.htm]