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Mummy: Is there one small hope? | Factfile
| Why
are child abuse scandals happening in Austria?
The Austrian man who imprisoned his daughter and fathered a hidden incestuous
family with her had previously been convicted of sexual assault, The Times
has learnt.
Josef F has at least one other conviction, for arson, and he allegedly spent
time in prison in the late 1960s. Austrian prosecutors said that they were
aware of the allegations and trying to trace the records in court archives.
The revelation came as Austria struggled to come to terms with how the
appalling abused of his children could have remained undiscovered for almost
a quarter of a century.
According to most of their neighbours, Mr F and his wife Rosemarie appeared to
be upright citizens – and commendable in the way that they had raised the
three children dumped on their doorstep by the daughter who had walked out
of their lives to join some kind of cult 24 years earlier.
"They appeared normal, just like any other family," Guenter
Prameiter, who runs a bakery just down the street, said.
Mrs F "always looked after the kids so well, taking them to school. We
said ‘It’s incredible what she manages to do at her age’,"
remarked another neighbour.
"They had a swimming pool in the garden. We would hear them [the
children] laughing, the three of them," said a third.
But none of them – until now – had the faintest idea of the horrors taking
place in the makeshift dungeon that Mr F had built beneath his nondescript
house in the industrial town of Amstetten, in eastern Austria.
Mr F, 73, an electrical engineer with various other business interests,
confessed to the police yesterday that he had held his daughter Elisabeth,
42, captive in three windowless underground rooms ever since she disappeared
in 1984. He also admitted that he had fathered seven children by her, though
he insisted that no force was involved.
He confessed also that he had tossed the body of one of those seven children
into the building’s furnace after the baby died at birth.
The police said that three of the children "never saw sunlight"
until they were freed over the weekend.
The dungeon in which they lived was so small that the older ones had to watch
as his father delivered his daughter’s subsequent children. Presumably they
also had to watch as he had intercourse with his daughter to beget them –
she claims that he repeatedly raped her – and regularly beat her. The
dungeon contained one padded room, its walls and floor covered in rubber,
the purpose of which is still unclear.
Yesterday the police described the revelations as "one of Austria’s
all-time worst crimes". Guenther Platter, the country’s Interior
Minister, called it "unfathomable".
The Osterreich newspaper called it "the worst crime of all time".
Despite that, the police said that Mr F, whom they described as "domineering,
aggressive and tyrannical", appeared unrepentant.
Mrs F allegedly knew nothing of the evil that was taking place in the basement
of her own home. "You have to imagine that this woman’s world fell
apart," Hans-Heinz Lenze, a local official, said.
Her ignorance seems almost incredible given her husband’s previous record, the
extraordinary stories that he asked her to believe and the fact that he
built the basement cell quite literally under her nose and kept his secret
family there for more than two decades.
Mr F asked his wife to believe that Elisabeth simply walked out of their lives
on August 28, 1984, when she was 18. That was the date on which he allegedly
sedated and handcuffed her and locked her in the cellar. A month later he
produced a letter – written by her, but dictated by him – in which she asked
her parents not to search for her.
Three times in subsequent years, in 1993, 1994 and 1997, Mr F produced babies
that Elisabeth had allegedly left on the doorstep of their house, with notes
saying that she could not look after them. Mrs F duly raised the three
children.
All that time Elisabeth and her expanding family were living in the dungeon.
It was hidden behind a 1m-high iron door that could be opened with a
numbered code which only Mr F knew. The door was itself concealed behind
shelves, and the police said that he used to tell his captive children that
if anything happened to him, then they would die in the dungeon.
The police yesterday released photographs showing the door opening onto the
narrowest of passages, a living area, a small kitchen and two bedrooms. The
ceilings were no more than 5ft 6in high. Elisabeth had done her best to
decorate them, with a toy elephant on top of a medicine cabinet and stickers
showing a chubby butterfly and smiling octopus on the walls. There were hot
plates for cooking and the prisoners’ only contact with the outside world
came via a radio, television and a video recorder.
It was the television that finally helped Elisabeth to escape. Her father had
apparently taken her eldest daughter out of the dungeon after she became
seriously ill and delivered her to hospital.
Elisabeth saw a televised appeal from the hospital for the girl’s mother to
come forward, and she persuaded her father to release her. The police then
picked up Mr F and Elisabeth close to the hospital on Saturday. Mr F gave
the police the code to his secret dungeon Asked why Mrs F was not being
investigated, Colonel Franz Polzer, a police spokesman, replied: "Let
me ask you a counter question: would any wife accept such a thing if she
knew about it?"
A spokesman at the local school which Elisabeth’s other three children
attended described Mrs F as "the perfect grandmother" and a member
of the Parents’ Association who helped to organise school events. Elisabeth
said that she and her children got food and clothing only from her father
and her mother was not involved.
Mr F had seven other children by his wife – six daughters and a son aged
between 37 and 51. They, too, have denied knowing anything of their sister’s
fate, as have the occasional tenants who rented a flat in the house.
But it appears that some people did know that Mr F had a shady past. A
spokeswoman for a company where he was employed as an engineer and
procurement manager during the 1970s told The Times: "He did an
excellent job, but there was always something uneasy about him as it was
widely known that he had served time in prison for a sexual offence."
The Times also found several neighbours who said that he was known as a former
sex offender by older members of the community.
One 50-year-old said: "I was 10 at the time, but I remember how we
children were afraid to play near Mr F’s house because of the rumours that
he had raped a woman and spent some time in jail for it."
Despite Mr F’s record, it appears that he was able to persuade the social
services, friends and family that Elisabeth had run away in 1984 and
subsequently left the three children on his doorstep.
Forensic experts spent yesterday searching the dungeon, and took away boxes of
evidence. Mr F was questioned by a judge who extended his custody for two
weeks until the investigation has been completed.
He is likely to face a string of charges including manslaughter or murder,
rape, kidnapping, coercion and grievous bodily harm.
Colonel Polzer, the police spokesman, described Mr F as "extremely fit
and in excellent physical condition" despite his age, as well as "extraordinarily
sexually potent".
Elisabeth and two of her captive children were last night being treated in a
psychiatric hospital near Amstetten, and were said to be in surprisingly
good condition, except for the need to adapt to daylight.
One official said: "As we were driving with one of the boys towards the
hospital he told me he was very happy to be driven in a car. He had seen
cars on TV and always wanted to have a ride in one.
"I could not detect any obvious mental or physical malfunctions in him or
his sister."
In addition to his electrical engineering, Mr F also dabbled in property
management and retail underwear. He owned a second two-storey house in an
Amstetten suburb which he was planning to tear down to make way for a block
of flats and offices with an underground garage. Neighbours had taken legal
action to try and stop the project.
The case has inevitably provoked comparisons with that of Natascha Kampusch,
the ten-year-old girl who was snatched from another small town in Austria in
1998 and imprisoned in a basement in a Vienna suburb for the next eight
years.
Ms Kampusch yesterday offered to use her experience to counsel Mr F’s victims.
A spokesman told The Times: "Ms Kampusch was shaken by the latest
revelation. Based on the experience she had to go through, she is prepared
to meet the victims and share her experience with them and offer her
assistance. She is also prepared to provide financial support."
i think he did something very horrible n unforgivable.Its true he should be punished by god but if we live him now there may arise anothe tomorrow and another day after. What we will do to these increasing number of abusers? leve them to god n tolerate their abuse?
Priya P. Devi, Ba, Fiji Islands
The man sinned, sins can be forgiven, but we see him as evil.
That is the wrong way to look at it. For those who truely believe in God. It should be looked at it that the man let satan influence his actions and mind. What he did is horrible, beyond our comprehension, but It's God's duty to punish.
Henry, Grand Rapids,
This from a Police Officer?; "would any wife accept such a thing if she knew about it?" I think there needs to be someone who will not be fooled by a "grandmother type". I believe she had to have some idea! I raised 5 kids & had 3 grandchildren w/parents living with us and I KNEW everything.
cc langton, colorado,
i really dont understand how could a human can be such an animal damn men like , hell 4ever , and i think his wife is involved , i dont know how can she be so naive , it makes no sense nt realizing any of her husband strange behavior , i dont know why she wasnt investigated
ahmed, cairo, egypt
i really dont understand how a human can be such an animal
ahmed, cairo, egypt
"...without the fear of GOD, man's natural proclivity challenges him to dig deeper into the grimy pit of degeneracy.
GEORGE UDUIGWOME, Simi Valley, USA"
...are you seriously saying that if you weren't afraid of Hell, you too would be raping and imprisoning your children?
That's fantastic.
Becci, Vancouver, Canada
We should need to introduce ethical values in the society. If we allow to people free decide about the ethics , it is dangerous and every can define their own ethics. I am really very sorry. That man should be punished strongly because he try to spoil the Father love for their babies.
Fayyaz Ahmad, Barcelona, Spain
this story is heartbreaking...how could a father even imagine to do such a thing to his daughter...it is a awful thing to know.so beyond the real life.how can Mrs F not know about all this. i dont believe her.how can u not kow about whats going on in ur own basement.
Terrace, Boston, US
i think its sad and disgusting . . . . . how can he keep a human being looked up and rape them .... i feel really sorri for the wife and the other children who didnt know and also the ones who lived with thier mother down stairs so they had to wait their mother being rapped and also giving birth
Tay, Mandurah, Australia
I'm sorry, but the God I know doesn't do things like that to people. No, matter what that girl did she didn't deserve to be locked in a basement and repaeatedly raped by her own father. Her father is a pervert,yes, I said it "pervert". God gave humans free will. He chose to hurt his own daughter
Jai Jones, Shreveport, Louisiana
In all the man has done it all,but then we have to stop pointing fingers this story has to be an eye opener for all of us let us live right cause everything bad that we do it will eventually catch up with us May God give the family strength and comfort and heal them in all that they have went throug
Nett , Walsall, UK
That's Unjust and not what god made us for,
everybody deseverves the right to be safe.
This is Discusting and it makes me cry to think life can be ssoo cruel.
Saphira, Canberra, Australia
I agree with George above. In a world where people have not much respect for God. (UK). Mans' natural ability to sin grows, but we will all have to give an account for the way we have lived on this earth whether we beleive it or not. Thats for sure as God's word tells us and I beleive it.
Audrine Bryan, Coventry CV2 5NR, Warwickshire
i am 20 years old.. i have spent the years normally and yet feel it isn't enough for my youth..
may elisabeth recover well and not get robbed of her youth..
life imprisonment or death penalty isn't enough of a punishment.. how can a father?
coco, Bacolod, philippines
This, obviously, is not the first time we are witnessing such an act of infamy and, sadly enough, it won't be the last simply because without the fear of GOD, man's natural proclivity challenges him to dig deeper into the grimy pit of degeneracy.
GEORGE UDUIGWOME, Simi Valley, USA
It´s difficult to belive that, in a world with cases like that, can exist love. I hope that Mr Fritzl never get out from jail. What can happen if he get out in 15 years? Will he pay for his crimes in 15 years? And I´m praying for Elisabeth and her children to be strong enough to built a new life.
Natalie, São paulo, Brazil
I am unable to sleep whenever this story comes to my mind, the other thing is that I always put the ability and professionalism of the country's police into question.
Neb., St. paul, U.S.A.
Emily, he most probably won't be getting the death penalty in Singapore. The guy who raped several of his daughters wasn't even given the death penalty, was he?
May, Singapore,
I have heard so many crimes in the past, but I really can't get over this one, for the last couple of weeks, I can't stop thinking of how the 42 years old woman and her three children suffered over the "YEARS" in the dungeon. Please punish the "monster" and help the victims.
leo, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I just can't get over this, what in the world was her mother thinking.; I would think she she have tried to find her daughter or was she just afraid. I beleive that she was thinking something was wrong. Keep him in jail and don't let him out.. Something is wrong with that man.
Kay Conley, Greenville, United States
I completely agree with PG of Los Angeles. How on earth could Mrs P not know anything done under her own nose??? Austria police - please don't repeat the same mistake by your ignorance over half a decade. Please investigate this case thoroughly. May God help Elizabeth and her kids to be strong.
Lily , Wellington, New Zealand
what beats me most is how he shows not a trace of remorse on his 73 year old face!!!! what he has done is diabolic and he shall surely suffer the consequences.
Faith, Lesotho
Faith, Maseru, Lesotho
One thing is for sure, sometimes it is just easyer to turn a blind eye because if you keep looking you will not know where to go or who to tell. I am so sad to think this has happened and let this be a message to all Woman, mother's, adults,who think that abuse might be present. DO SOMETHING!
SHAME
Louise Orr, Prahran, Australia
The entire episode shows that he had no integrity of character. The sad story uncovers the lack of moral basis to our education system. If parents parents fail, the responsibility of providing a firm moral foundation to our character belongs to schools and teachers. We need to go beyond academics..
Reshma, Dubai,
This news has shocked the world's prestigious society, specially women and children. I believe that F does have any psycho problem because it seems uncontrolled mind for sex than animal. There may be other victims as well. Full investigation must be done and he should be hanged if he did more crimes to hide one.
jaya, sydney, australia
Mom does have some cuplability here. She knew her husband was a sex offender and he had strange behavior, like the locked celler door.
So does social services in Austria. They let someone who had been in prison adopt and foster children. What were they thinking.
Lots more will unfold with this.
Glenda, bowling green, USA
Depraved behaviour like this does not belong in this world and Mrs F she had to know what was happening if not had an idea that something was amiss she too should be done with the sick mongrel she calls a husband. Lock him up and throw away the key this poor girl will never have the peace of mind
Victoria, Victoria, Australia
Elisabeth is only 1 of his 13 surviving children. What are the chances that she was the ONLY one he raped??!! He could have been doing the same thing to his other children-grandchildren above or in the basement!!! Are the Austrian police investigating this???
Eve, Malaysia,
we can only imagine . what a terrible life they had to lead at the hands of their own father...makes one sick to think of the pain and suffering they had to endure..i have no pity for that man and he should be made to live his natural life in the dungon he build.. my prayers go out to this family..
veronica, edmonton, canada
To decide a fair punishment for such a crime is difficult, to lock him up or to hang him is just too easy for him; I would suggest to kept him back into the dungeon for the rest of his life, let him taste his own medicine.
Kate, Toronto,
Sick. That man is no human
That is just so wrong! and worst of all,also imprisoning them in a closed up dungeons! Its at least , that the kids did not become feral and the fact that the daughter didn't become crazy seeing that they lost contact with socialisation apart from that twisted monster.
Owdray, KL, Malaysia
How’s shocking news! What’s wrong this inhuman world around us? Its time for the police, social services, etc to get professional help n sort all out i.e. check each single cellar n follow up all disappearances, no matter what it costs. It has cost poor Elisabeth n her children their life! Oh Josef!
Bernadette Reed, Huddersfield, UK
There are, right this minute, monsters undiscovered, worse than this creature, all over the world. They are excellent liars, but it's rare that their lies allow them to hide for this long. Try to point a finger at one of them, though, and their lawyers tell you where you can go and drag you there.
vlscpa, Duluth, GA, USA
My heart bleeds for the three children who never felt the sun on their skin, ran over grass, went swimming, or did any of the hundreds of things outside that other children do. I didn't think it was possible for someone to stay alive without fresh air and sunshine! An execution would be too kind.
Gayle, Richmond, Virginia, U.S.A.
Death or life time penalty, I think he deserves worse. Because he is already 73 years old and he probably has 10 years to live at most. So life time penalty for 10 years wont be so bad for him.
Chris, London,
Human rights? Mr. F cannot be human. Could you rape your child? Would you want this man living next door to you and your child? A man like this needs to rape. With his daughter gone, he will have to look elsewhere for a victim. I would not want to live next door to him.
Shelby , Mentor, USA
Hey, As long as the father's human, he's got 'human rights' too. You may say anything you wish about him, but remember, you must not trample on his own 'human rights'. Long live Enlightenment!
Jean Chevalier, Kingston, UK
I cannot even try to put myself in the mindset of the victims. Her 20's and 30's were completely taken away from her. And besides that the emotional trauma of being molested/raped by your own father is already traumatic enough..And those poor children. I hope they r strong enough to start a new life
Izelle, Cae Town, South Africa
This crime has no doubted affected humankind in much the same way as the murder baby Jamie Bulger by two children did in 1994 when the concept innocence took terrifying blow. This crime has affected our perceptions of the sanctity in a father-daughter relationship in much the same way.
Shirley Rizvi, London, United Kingdom
there is nothing like this in the history of mankind - this sub-human must be taken out of this world - I am shocked, heartbroken, in total disbelief - THIS IS beyond evil! - as far as the wife, she's either mental, or he removed her brain and she didn't know it-
Gabi Mikhail, Sutton,
I think the wife knew, or at least suspected. Who would be so naive? I think she was too afraid and terrorized by her husband, to do anything.
While I am not for the death penalty, I think they should bring in a new punishment for guys like this--surgical removal of his genitals. That should fix it
Carmen, Walla Walla, WA, USA
What about the air supply in that cellar? How was that arranged? This is truly a horrible case. That monster must be locked up for good. Maybe the authorities could put him down there for the rest of his life?
Kjetil, Sarpsborg, Norway
i thought that we, south asian, are socially poor and uneducated but after hearing the horrific news i believe that we are more socially respectful than the Austrian. The man who committed this, beyond imagination, crime should be hanged to death
bijaya bikram shah, kathmandy, nepal
I'm not for the death penalty. the focus should be on 4 people and getting the adjusted to life, give them every thing and anything materialized and emotional possible. I believe with enough love and support it's possible, it can never erase the past. This proves humans are worst than animals
Earl, Chester NJ, USA
If this is to happen here in Singapore, I dare say its a difinite death penalty. Else a life time sentence with lots of caning. It is with such cases that I'm glad we have death penalty and canings here in Singapore
Emily, Singapore,
More truth has to come out. We need to get the version of the victim too. Lot of suspicious thing going on.
May be the mother knew something but not exactly what actually going on.
Don't put Mr F to death. Keep him as medical research stuff for the future mankind.
Justin, NY, USA
He will eventually burn!
Ian, Baltimore, USA
This man should be put under the jail.May GOD BLESS this family,and help them through everything.I will be praying for this entire family,because they really need are prayers.
mary, baltimore, USA
I think he should go to jail for life without probation. Capital Punishment is Cruel and unusal punishment. Thats Why it's banned in Europe.
Zak, hagerstown, United States
Tell me again why there is no death penalty in the EU? perhaps this should be rethought?
David, Chicago, USA
I don't see how the mother could not have known her daughter and grandchildren were in the basement!
I hope he is charged with everything possible, and goes to prison for the rest of his life. I also hope the prisonioners feels about child rapists like ours here in the US do!
Olivia, Nashville, United States
It was the worst story I have ever read. He robbed Elizabeth of her precious life. I just don't know how he got away with it for so many years. But thank God he now caught and consequences will take action. I hope life for her now will be peacefully and she will recover from the torment.
Jean, Calgary, Canada
I just cant stop to think about how this poor girl at the time lived like that for the first 5 yrs alone,gave birth alone 7 times, being constantly raped and beaten... It so sickning I cant stop weeping in silence! I look at my children& wonder how did Eliz do it all those yrs?? Too many questions..
G, Padova, Italy
I hate to be rude -- but I honestly DO NOT believe that the mother of Elisabeth did not know ANYTHING???? I know there's a hotplate down there -- but who washed their clothes (no laundry down there) - and how does the father look or his post menopausal wife) buying TAMPONS??? something STINKS here.
PG, los angeles, california
There should be a fund set up for this poor woman and those children. She should never have to worry about money. So many of us are awefully disturbed and miserable because of knowing of this heinous, heinous evil. People around the world want and need to take action. What can we do to help?
Anina Youngman, Ottawa, Canada
it dont have enough words to describe dis man or whateva to call him..i hope he gets wat he deservs....he is nasty, disgusting....i reallly dont have d words...
Petrula , trincity , trinidad
i found this out at work and I just wanted to go home and be ignorant again. it's too much to take in. a father. my heart goes out to that mum and her children. she had to endure so much it is incredulous. this monster is no animal, either. lions and tigers and bears all protect their young.
stella, gilbert, az
I cannot imagine the outcome if something had happened to Mr. F during the time they were locked away and no one knew or could hear them...the woman and her children left with no access to food - this is where I think they were watched out for on some level
Elizabeth, Medford, USA
this guy is serious ly disgusting. i'm totally against death penalty but this guy better get something bad so that he can remember what a monster he is. its unbelievable.
Ambra F, Verona, Italy
One can go on keeping a cellar off limits for a short period, but 24 years!!?!Jeeez....it doesn't seem sustainable whatsoever.Questions should've been raised by Mrs F as to why, what for etc. Where was her natural drive to verify and justify hubby's behavioral patterns?The case's bottom more rotten?
MARTIN, LONDON, UK
what a shame ? This is the day we humans put down our head in shame.First time in my life i have realized darkest side of the human heart. My heart and mind is greatly disturbed by this story. My heart goes out for those kids and mum. He is not a human.we must look and treat him like an animal.
srujith heman, auckland, NewZealand
The most evil act a father can do to his daughter...it's horrifying ,unforgivable and heartbreaking story. I hope Elisabeth and her children can start a new life..this time safe from MONSTERS like her father. I just hope he gets a capital punishment..My prayers with Elisabeth and Kids..
Marylou, Dxb, UAE
These are the kind of things that make you afraid to interact with any unaquainted individual because you never know the people you are dealing with this man is capable of anything he should't be allowed to see sunlight again. even though he didn't literally kill anyone he still took her life.
manita, Kannapolis, united states
Let's just stop talking about death penalty as unfortunately it's not an option anywhere in Europe. But I agree we should look at the mother and the authorities who let this pervert adopt these children. And why are his "gentlemen's holidays" in Thailand not of interest to police?
Lucy, Plymouth, uk
It's a deja vue. Why was it possible twice? Are all those people gone crazy.? Are there still miserable "prisoners" living under such circumstences somewhere in a dungeon?
How can a society prevent such things from happening?
Nicole, Innsbruck, Austria
I bet there are other people in Austria and other countries that are kept in such bunkers and no one knows about them... You can't just go on with your life and not think about these things. So, be on the look out, pay attention to the details around you, your next door neighbour might be a maniac.
Art, New York City, USA
I cannot believe that his wife knew nothing at all. With all the other children, not one of them ever went to the basement to investigate, explore etc. People are naturally curious, so I wonder if anyone actually wondered why he kept going down to the basement. It's a shame...
David G., San Francisco, United States
This person should not be referred to as a man, he is not worthy of the title. I believe other victims of his predatory behaviour will be found. Keep him locked up for Gods sake
Dave McLean, Tauranga, New Zealand
"Even though he did not kill anyone, he deserves to die.", Daman, Stilwater:-
but he did kill someone... if he took the baby boy, (who he threw in the incinerator), to a hospital, his chances of survival would probably have been good!!
i agree with mike, bring back capital punishment!!
sam, Cambridge, UK
Frau Fritzl must have suspected something, but even if she was (in all probability) scared for her own life and that of the three children living with her, who's to say that a tip- off to the police would have been acted upon, they seem to be burying their heads in the sand.
Eve, I feel for you.
Julie, Bournemouth, UK
Rose West, Myra Hindley......women can and have committed such acts.
Mrs F needs to be investigated, as do the siblings, it is incomprehensiable that NO-ONE knew. Why did no-one search for her, try and disuade her from the 'cult'? Too unsual to be just sheer ignorance on part of wfie and sibling.
B.Scarr, London,
I find it hard to believe the wife knew nothing at all, I suppose she was sort of a victim too. She needs to be investigated though. That bloke will get his. He doesn't deserve the death penalty, thats too quick and easy. I don't know why anyones mentioning god. Wheres he been these past years eh?
Loise, IOW, UK
We are all extremely capable of creating our own version of hell on so many different levels. And we choose to see only what we want to see, even if it is all around us...
Jason Brown, Bakersfield, USA
My heart is troubled by this story. May the Lord bless and heal this family, and may we all find it in our hearts to forgive.
Amy, SC, USA
I am speechless and thoughtless at the cruelty and perversion showed by a "Father", (he has no right to be called a father, he should be called a filthy... filthy monster... yuk.. yuk ..yuk). I just hope that he spends rest of his life realising and repenting his deeds. May god bless world's future
Amitabh, Melbourne, Australia
this is just not normal....why would a father do this to their own daughter....and how could his wife not have known....i don't know but if my child wa missing all of a sudden and my husband says "nah don't bother they're gone" i'd be a little curious...I'd go look for her anyways....
Jonie, ontario,
If hell has a hierarchy, this guy is one floor below Judas Iscariot. Burning sulphur, baby. You're gonna burn, you are so gonna burn.
jo, san francisco, USA
Unspeakably vile. The man is a psychopath, but that does not excuse his evil deed. If his wife knew, then clearly she was terrified of this beast .
Question is: What in this man's origins can explain his entire lack of conscience, of humane feeling, of consideration? Also this: is he religious?
Ernest Werner, Trumansburg NY , USA
The proper penalty for this sort of crime is not yet invented. I makes me so sad, how can someone do this to his own family or to anyone???
Kurt, Söderhamn, Sweden
highly deplorable on part of a father to his daughter.curse on him, he deserve to be put before lions as their food
sam, brampton, canada
He should be made to spend the rest of his life in that cellar. And, yes, his wife definitely needs to be investigated. How naive can one really be?
Roger, Victoria, Canada
This is one of the most discusting things I have ever heard. I do not believe in capital punishment, but this man should die for what he has done , he has lived his life. And should pay for what he has done. Hopefully this is all of the story I hope he did not touch his grandaugter
Sheila, toronto, Canada
I am dumbfounded at this story, it's a disturbing truth. This woman's life is ruined. She spent more than half of her life in a soundproof dungeon continuously being raped and forced to give birth for her own father.
Even though he did not kill anyone, he deserves to die.
Daman, Stilwater,
Death is too kind, too gentle, too easy for this man. I cannot think of a punishment that would befit this hideous crime.
Shani, London, UK
This is just too wierd. Nobody investigated further? Nobody thought it strange that a girl goes missing and just "disappears "into a religious sect?"
Her siblings dont try and find her..dont want to know which sect?
The authorities let these people easily adopt the children ?
Evil man, poor kids !
Anna, Groningen, Netherlands
he is no doubt a pure evil that to be executed. If he did this in my home country the philippines he would be dead the minute he confess to the police.
bo, california, usa
I'm sorry but the comment by the official, "which wife would allow such a thing to happen" is beyond belief. Which father would allow such a thing to happen?
My thoughts go out to this lady and her children.
Imaad, bradford, uk
I am absolutely flabbergasted; I can't get my head around this. I hope he doesn't try an insanity plea (although I bet his lawyer suggests it). The fact that he went to all that trouble implies he knew full well what he was doing was wrong. Castrate him!
Sarah, Ottawa, ON, Canada
my heart bleeds for this family as mr f has caused great shame, and embarresment to his family honour. how are his family going to deal with this ordeal. i offer my best wishes to his victimes. and i hope mr f recieves the hardest punishment available.
natasha, rugby, warwickshire
You must be one sick person to do anything like this to anybody, this man deserves more than a death penalty. He should be tortured the exact same way he did his daughter and her kids.
I hope there is a death penalty atleast.
Josh, Nova Scotia, Canada
Shockingly shocking!
Shame on humanity...
Flabberghasting!!
Chandan, New Delhi, India
How can anything but the death penalty be appropriate? The rest of his life in prison would not equal 24 years in prison, being raped and beaten, forced to go through 7 pregnancies alone and with no help but him for delivering her children, watching her baby die, no sun or fresh air.
Jane, Wisconsin, USA
Investigate Mrs Fitzl. Before the dungeon was discovered passives like the police there would have said to anyone who suggested such a thing was going on, Would any father do such a thing?. Wake up, the answer is yes, Do some real investigationing. And Fitzl is not sick, he is evil.
Sullivan, Sarasota, USA
I'm sorry but I think in extreme situations and cases, the death penalty should be enforced. Namely cases like this. He robbed them of their life, forever; thats what gives them the right to do it back to him. @Chris, SanDiego: I couldnt have said it better myself.
Rani Chute, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada
Above all else in this vile case I think we should pause to reflect upon the dreadful and hopeless ordeal of Elizabeth F - most of all - and that too of her children. Surely all possible help, care and support should be given them for the rest of their lives if neccessary. And our sincere prayers.
Hugh Hazelton, Downham Market, United Kingdom
Jailed his daughter and raped her to give birth to a child in dungeon should already give him a life sentence.
And raping his daughter for that last 24 years!? forcing her to give birth to SIX children, SIX!!? Plus those children got possibilities been raped! EXECUTE HIM, send him to china please.
Bob, DURHAM, UK
Its another sad day for the country of Austria. Its citizens have been exceptional in the eyes of international audiences. The society itself should not ask questions on how it could happen in Austria, human nature trumps any social and psychological expectations regardless of how hard it tries.
Albert , Palm Harbor, United States
This person deserves the death penalty.
Mark, New York City,
I think the Austrian official's comment about "What wife would allow that" is ludicrous - as someone else stated there are many abuse cases where both spouses are complicit. She should be investigated also -Surely she noticed him traipsing downstairs with bags of food?
valerie, Glasgow, Scotland
Even the word shocking seems inadequate to describe this horror. I know it is possible for a domineering husband to have such complete control over his wife that she doesn't question inexplicable behaviour, but I keep thinking about the monsters Fred & Rosemary West.
Carol, Kingston , Jamaica
I agree that it is terrible thing for a father to do.
But Mike from Bradford - I am shocked to see your response.
How is taking another persons life an appropriate punishment for anything?! Its an arcaic and wrong solution.
Prison is one thing, but capital punishment is another.
Rachel , Somerset, UK
And again, wouldn't Mrs F. have also been aware of his conviction for rape and subsequent prison term? If my math is correct, they had already been married and had children. There is no way she, nor the other grown children, didn't have some sort of inkling.
Johanna, Pittsburgh, US
This was so far worse than prison! I am overwhelmed with grief for Elisabeth and her children. How were they kept alive while that monster was off on holiday? Even if Mrs. F. is proven innocent of all knowledge, someone else surely knew. Who gave police the "anonymous" tip?
Maureen, Chicago, USA
There is no way that the mother didn't know about it. The Colonel's remark about what a wife would/wouldn't do demonstrates remarkable ignorance about sexual abuse situations. There are hundred's of cases where the father/stepfather is involved and the wife/mother knows about it and does nothing.
Claire, Boston, MA
Now are there still people out there opposing the death penalty ? I suppose good doers still want the help this ... - sorry can't find the appropriate word.
Mike, Bradford,
Its apalling that a father can do something like that to his child/children. But I find it hard to believe that Mrs F knew nothing about what was happening. Knowing the nature of women, how is it possible that for 24 years something was going on in her home under her roof and she knew nothing of it?
Patronella, Kampala, Uganda
My heart goes out for the daughter and all the innocent children. May the rest of their lives be happy and free of strife. God bless them.
Jane, Raleigh, These United States of America
he built a cellar beneath his own home - doubtless everyone knew about it - to house and hide his cause - carefully thought out - he was 49 when his plan came to fruitiion - did Mrs F never wonder why she wasnt invited to see it - or what he was doing down there -
my Mother ignored alot too
eve, london,
it is an apartment building. very possible she was totally ignorant of the situation!
anita, st. louis mo, usa
I am just beyond sickened by the actions of this (I wouldn't even call him a father) non-person. What twisted, sick, perverse, disgusting, pathetic excuse for a human being would even concider doing such an atrocity to his own flesh and blood, his daughter?
Chris, San Diego, USA
To Roger, London, UK: to try to compare such horrors is probably fruitless. However, the personal nature of this crime (father against daughter) somehow sets it apart.
anita, st. louis mo, usa
"he was known as a former sex offender by older members of the community."
And just how many seconds would it have taken you to check this claim with the authorities, who in their afternoon press conference on Tuesday state that it is false?
Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK
I hope the police search every wall of every building he owns. That man could have another dungeon family somewhere which is right now starving to death.
Jeannette Jaquish, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
I find the fact that the police are not investigating Mrs F disturbing.
Just think for a minute. This man had 4 people in his house for a number of years. Just think about the massive amount of food required to be purchased, the smell of cooked food from this celler... Police; damage limitation??
James, leeds,
To describe this shocking crime as one of Austria’s all-time worst overlooks the atrocities perpetrated by Austrian Nazis in the Second World War.
Roger, London, UK