Carl Tanzler

Carl Tanzler (February 8, 1877 – July 3, 1952), also known as Count Carl von Cosel, was a German-born radiology technologist at the United States Marine Hospital in Key West, Florida. He is best known for his obsession with a young Cuban-American tuberculosis patient, Elena "Helen" Milagro de Hoyos, which extended beyond her death.

Early Life

Carl Tanzler was born in Dresden, Germany, on February 8, 1877. Little is known about his early life, but he claimed to have traveled extensively, including to India and Australia, where he allegedly studied engineering and electrical work.

Move to the United States

In 1926, Tanzler emigrated to the United States from Germany. He initially settled in Zephyrhills, Florida, where his sister had already established a home. In 1927, he left Zephyrhills and took a job as a radiology technologist at the United States Marine Hospital in Key West, Florida.

Obsession with Elena de Hoyos

In April 1930, Tanzler met Elena de Hoyos, a local Cuban-American woman who had been brought to the hospital for treatment of tuberculosis, a disease that was typically fatal at the time. Tanzler, who had previously claimed to have had visions of a beautiful dark-haired woman who he believed was his destined true love, became infatuated with de Hoyos. He attempted to treat her with various medicines, X-ray, and electrical equipment, which he brought to her home.

Despite Tanzler's efforts, Elena de Hoyos succumbed to the disease on October 25, 1931. Tanzler paid for her funeral and had an above-ground mausoleum constructed in the Key West Cemetery, which he visited almost every night.

The Mausoleum and Beyond

In April 1933, Tanzler removed de Hoyos' body from the mausoleum and transported it to his home. Over the next several years, he preserved her corpse using various methods, including wire hangers, plaster of Paris, and wax. He also replaced her eyes with glass eyes and filled her body with rags to maintain its shape. Tanzler lived with the corpse for seven years, during which time he reportedly slept beside it and treated it as if de Hoyos were still alive.

Discovery and Arrest

In October 1940, de Hoyos' sister, Florinda, became suspicious and confronted Tanzler at his home, where she discovered the preserved body. Tanzler was arrested and charged with "wantonly and maliciously destroying a grave and removing a body without authorization." However, the statute of limitations for the crime had expired, and Tanzler was released.

Later Life and Death

After his release, Tanzler moved to Pasco County, Florida, where he wrote an autobiography that was published in the pulp magazine Fantastic Adventures in 1947. He lived in relative obscurity until his death on July 3, 1952.

Legacy

Carl Tanzler's story has become a part of Key West folklore and has been the subject of various books, articles, and films. His actions have been widely criticized as macabre and unethical, but they continue to fascinate those interested in the darker aspects of human behavior.

See Also

• Necrophilia
• Key West Cemetery
• Tuberculosis