Zdislaw Marchwicki

Background

Zdislaw Marchwicki, called the "Zagłębie vampire", was a Polish serial killer. He was born in 1927 to a low-class family.

His father went through five marriages in which four children were born: three brothers and a sister. All four children later stood trial with Zdislaw Marchwicki for criminal conspiracy, robbing and obstructing justice.

Zdislaw Marchwicki dropped out of school at an early age. He was described as having a low IQ.

One of Marchwicki's murder victims was the niece of Edward Gierek, who was then the Upper Silesian communist party leader. The prosecution and police investigators denied being pressured by political forces in the criminal prosecution of Zdislaw Marchwicki.

During and after the trial, there was much dispute about whether Marchwicki was the real vampire.

The offence

Zdislaw Marchwicki committed killings in the neighbourhoods of Czeladź, Będzin, and adjoining towns in Zagłębie Dąbrowskie and Upper Silesia.

He started his murders in 1964 and continued, with occasional breaks, till late 1970.

Marchwicki was charged with murdering fourteen women and attempting to kill another six; one attempted murder charge was not proven.

Investigation

After his arrest, his trial and subsequent appeal were highly publicised.

While in prison awaiting the results of the appeal, Marchwicki reputedly wrote a diary in which he described his killings in minute details and included associated emotional ups and downs. It was firmly established today that the diary was dictated to him by police officers through a fellow prisoner. It seemed barely possible that Marchwicki, who dropped out of school at an early age and was rather low on IQ, would write using complex sentences and including police slang terms.

Trial

Zdislaw Marchwicki was apprehended in early 1972.

He was tried in a highly publicised show trial which lasted for 10 months.

During the criminal trial proceedings, Marchwicki did not show typical serial killer behaviour and remained rather passive and demure.

The appeal upheld the verdict.

Sentencing

In July 1975, Marchwicki received the death sentence.

His execution took place in late 1976, and his current status indicates he was executed on April 29, 1977.

Zdislaw Marchwicki’s brother Jan Marchwicki also received the death penalty.

His third brother, Henryk Marchwicki, received a 25 years sentence for taking part in a conspiracy to commit murder.

The half-sister, Helena, received a three year prison sentence for storing small stolen things such as watches and pens that she knew came from Zdislaw's victims.

A similar criminal penalty was given out to Helena’s son, also called Zdislaw, for failing to inform the police about the murder conspiracies.

Outcome

Zdislaw Marchwicki was executed.

Aftermath

During and after the trial, speculations abounded whether Marchwicki was the real vampire.

Victims

1. MYCEK Anna; Dąbrówka Mała — 7.XI.64
2. PAKUŁA Ewa; Czeladź-Piaski — 20.I.65
3. NOWACKA Lidia; Będzin — 17.III.65
4. SZYMAŃSKA Irena Grodziec — 14.V.65
5. ZYGMUNT Jadwiga; Sosnowiec — 22.VII.65
6. GĄSIOROWSKA Eleonora; Łagisza — 26.VII.65
7. WIŚNIEWSKA Zofia; Łagisza — 4.VIII.65
8. BŁASZCZYK Maria; Czeladź — 15.VIII.65
9. ŁEBEK Genowefa; Będzin — 25.VIII.65
10. TOSZA Teresa; Będzin — 25.X.65
11. DUBIEL Alicja; Garbierze — 28.X.65
12. SZREK Irena; Czeladź — 12.XII.65
13. SAMUL Stanisława; Gródków — 19.II.66
14. BIJAK Genowefa; Niepiekło — 11.V.66
15. GOMÓŁKA Maria; Zagórze — 15.VI.66
16. KOZIERSKA Julianna; Będzin — 15.VI.66
17. GIEREK Jolanta; Będzin — 11.X.66
18. KAWKA Zofia; Grodziec — 15.VI.67
19. GARBACZ Zofia; Wojkowice — 3.X.67
20. SĄSIEK Jadwiga; Cieśle — 3.X.68
21. KUCIA Jadwiga; Siemianowice-Bytków — 4.III.70