Jack Unterweger

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Flugblatt Wortbr%C3%BCcke 3 und 4 - Unterweger

Austrian serial killer and journalist

Jack Unterweger (16 August 1950 – 29 June 1994) was an Austrian serial killer who murdered multiple women in several countries. He was also a journalist and author, which allowed him to gain access to his victims and evade suspicion for a time.

Early Life

Jack Unterweger was born in Judenburg, Styria, Austria. His early life was marked by instability and criminal behavior. He was raised by his grandfather after his mother, a barmaid and waitress, was imprisoned for fraud. Unterweger's criminal activities began at a young age, and he was first arrested in his teens for theft.

Criminal Career

Unterweger's criminal career escalated over the years. In 1974, he was convicted of the murder of a German woman, Margaret Schäfer, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. While in prison, Unterweger began writing and his works included short stories, poems, plays, and an autobiography titled Purgatory or The Trip to Jail - Report of a Guilty Man. His literary success led to a campaign for his release, with many believing he had been rehabilitated.

Release and Subsequent Murders

In 1990, after serving 15 years, Unterweger was released from prison. He became a minor celebrity and worked as a journalist, even reporting on crime. However, shortly after his release, a series of murders began, targeting prostitutes in Austria, Czechoslovakia, and the United States. Unterweger used his journalistic assignments as a cover to travel and commit these crimes.

Arrest and Trial

Unterweger was eventually arrested in 1992 in Miami, Florida, after a manhunt that spanned several countries. He was extradited to Austria, where he was tried and convicted of 11 murders. The evidence against him included fibers from his clothing found on the victims and his own writings, which contained details only the killer would know.

Death

On 29 June 1994, the night of his conviction, Jack Unterweger committed suicide by hanging himself in his prison cell using a rope made from shoelaces and a cord from his tracksuit pants. His death was ruled a suicide.

Legacy

Jack Unterweger's case remains one of the most infamous in Austrian criminal history. It highlights the complexities of criminal rehabilitation and the potential for manipulation by those who appear to be reformed.

See Also

• Serial killer
• List of serial killers by country
• Criminal psychology
• Journalism