Oswald Sibrol

Timeline

• December 31, 1983 — Oswald broke into the house of an old lady in Vienna, Austria and gave her a beating; she was found dead the next day by her neighbour.
• April 18, 1984 — Oswald broke into the apartment of Franziska Spengler, 80, in Vienna; he used a pair of scissors to silence her, then used a carving knife to ensure she was dead; he lay down and took a nap next to her body before leaving the apartment the next morning.
• June 14, 1985 — Oswald was sentenced to 20 years in jail.

Background

Oswald Sibrol found a way of making money in Vienna, Austria that seemed easier than working. He mugged old ladies. The police took an interest following one night when Oswald “got a little carried away.” He was later picked up after trying to steal an old ladies handbag.

The offence

Oswald carried out muggings of old ladies in Vienna. On December 31, 1983, he broke into the house of an old lady, gave her a beating, and she was found dead the next day by her neighbour. On April 18, 1984, Franziska Spengler, 80, was at home alone when Oswald broke into her apartment. Oswald used a pair of scissors and “stuck them into Mrs. Spengler's chest rather forcibly” to silence her. He then went into the kitchen and found a carving knife and “used this to make certain that the old lady was well and truly dead.” After committing the killing, Oswald pushed the body over to one side of the bed and lay down and took a nap next to it, spending the whole night in the apartment. He left the next morning in a hurry, leaving behind something “pretty vital to his freedom.”

Investigation

When police arrived at the apartment after Franziska Spengler’s body was found, they were “very surprised to see that nothing much had been taken from the apartment.” A “very large sum of money” was in a drawer next to her bed. A wallet lying on the floor contained the ID of Oswald Sibrol. Police later picked him up after trying to steal an old ladies handbag.

Arrest

Oswald was picked up after trying to steal an old ladies handbag.

Trial

Once in police custody, Oswald admitted to the two murders and the many old lady “muggings” that he had carried out. At trial, Oswald argued that it was not his fault he killed the old ladies and claimed his grandfather was to blame. He said that, although his grandfather was dead, the grandfather still liked the ladies and, “again even though he was dead, he still liked to shag around.” He claimed that his grandfather’s spirit had called out to Oswald: “send him a few old ladies to enjoy himself with.”

Sentencing

Oswald was sentenced to 20 years in jail on June 14, 1985.

Outcome

Oswald received a prison sentence of 20 years on June 14, 1985.

Other details

A wallet lying on the floor in Franziska Spengler’s apartment contained the ID of Oswald Sibrol. Oswald left behind something “pretty vital to his freedom.” Police did not find much taken from the apartment despite money being in a drawer next to the bed.