Erwin Spengler

Case record: Erwin Spengler

Outcome

Erwin Spengler was convicted of murder and sentenced to a term of life in prison in 1989.

Other details

Bathtub killer Erwin Spengler dissolved his elderly employer in acid and attempted to wash the remains down a bathtub drain. Police never found a trace of the wealthy widow’s body, but circumstantial evidence helped investigators piece together details of the crime.

The prosecution described the effect of the acid in detail. Prosecutor Gerhard Schurr said:

"The acid ate everything - flesh, bones, hair anf teeth,"

Schurr also linked Spengler’s behaviour to the case being solved. He said:

"He was so proud of what he'd done that he couldn't resist telling others about it, and that was his downfall,"

Background

Scheming chauffeur Erwin Spengler was eager to get rid of his elderly employer. He was described as a father of three and was 33 years old.

Katharina Kornagel was the elderly employer and widow. She was 74 years old.

Investigation

Police never found a trace of Katharina Kornagel’s body, but investigators used a mountain of circumstantial evidence to piece together the details of the murder.

Investigators learned that Katharina’s friend had not lived in Bremen for several years.

Other details: reported method and concealment

Spengler soaked Katharina Kornagel in hydrochloric acid for two weeks. He covered her with “gallons of acid,” waited for her to dissolve, and then rinsed her down the drain by pulling the plug.

Trial

Prosecutor Gerhard Schurr presented the case and discussed both the acid effects and the sequence of events.

Timeline

June 27, 1989 — A report described Spengler’s conviction and life sentence, and recounted the acid-dissolution and disposal approach. 1989 — Spengler was sentenced to life in prison. Last December — Katharina Kornagel learned that Spengler had been pilfering money from her bank account, leading to a brawl and the assault.

The offence

Katharina Kornagel learned that Erwin Spengler had been pilfering money from her bank account. A brawl occurred over the money, and Spengler beat the old woman with his fists, knocking her out cold.

Spengler covered the unconscious but still living Katharina Kornagel with hydrochloric acid in a bathtub and waited for her to dissolve so he could rinse her down the drain.

Arrest / statements

Spengler told police that Katharina disappeared after catching a train to visit a friend in the city of Bremen. Investigators determined that her friend hadn’t lived in Bremen for several years.

Prosecutor Gerhard Schurr explained the alleged sequence in his statements:

"They got into a brawl over the money and Mr. Spengler beat the old woman with his fists and knocked her out cold," prosecutor Gerhard Schurr said.
"She was unconscious but still alive when he laid her in the tub and covered her with gallons of acid. Then he sat back and waited for her to dissolve so he could rinse her down the drain."

Other details: prosecutor commentary on the investigation

Schurr said that investigators learned the friend’s location through their inquiries and commented on how bragging and incomplete homework contributed to Spengler’s failure to avoid detection. He said:

"If he'd just done his homework and resisted the urge to brag to his buddies about what he'd done, this might heve been the perfect crime," said prosecutor Schurr.