Max Gufler

Serial killer

18known / alleged victims (4 - 18 +)

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: Austria
Location: Austria
Date of birth: May 1, 1918
Age at first offence: 28
Characteristics: poisoner
Victim profile: Women (after luring them with matrimonial advertisements)
Method of murder: Poisoning - Drowning
Date(s) of murder: 1946 - 1958
Years active: 1946–1958
Date of arrest: November 1, 1958
Status: Life imprisonment
Sentenced to life in prison on May 1961; died 1966 during trial in Vienna

Case Summary

Case record: Max Gufler

Background

Max Gufler was described as Austria’s “Bluebeard.” He lived in a lower Austrian town.

Gufler was a 50-year-old traveling salesman accused of killing women after luring them with matrimonial advertisements. He claimed that he was forced to confess to four murders because his fiancée had been arrested as hostage. He declared: “I would have confessed to 20.”

The offence

Gufler was accused in connection with four murders at trial and at least three murders in police claims.

A 65-page indictment said he took the women on motor tours, then gave each a cherry liqueur and drowned her in river.

Police said they had proof to convict Gufler of at least three murders. They also said that they established that multiple items belonged to women who disappeared in the last six years.

Police said the case resembled Henri Desire Landru, the French “bluebeard” executed in 1922.

Maria Robas, aged 47, was linked to Gufler in the report of his arrest, with her body found Sept. 22.

Investigation

A Reuters report stated that Austrian police said the recent arrest of a man may bring to light a case resembling the French “bluebeard” executed in 1922.

Police said Max Gufler was arrested on suspicion of having killed 47-year-old Maria Robas, whose body was found Sept. 22.

While searching his rooms, police found piles of ladies’ bags, suitcases and other articles that they established belonged to women who disappeared in the last six years.

Police claimed they have proof to convict Gufler of at least three murders. He was accused of killing four women after luring them with matrimonial advertisements.

Arrest

Max Gufler, described as a 50-year-old, was arrested on suspicion of having killed 47-year-old Maria Robas.

Police said the arrest took place in lower Austria, with the report dateline St. Poelten, Austria, Nov. 5.

Trial

Austria’s “Bluebeard” went on trial in Vienna. He claimed he was forced to confess to four murders because his fiancée has been arrested as hostage.

The judge challenged Gufler, pointing out that he even reconstructed one of his crimes for the police.

Gufler declared: “I would have confessed to 20.”

Sentencing

Gufler confessed four murders and was sentenced to life in prison on May 1961.

Outcome

Gufler died in 1966 “Bluebeard” on trial in Vienna.

Other details

A motive label was given as “PC MO: ‘Bluebeard’ slayer of wives/fiancées.”

The record included the item: “Michael Newton - An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers.”

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