Fred Oesterreich, a wealthy textile manufacturer, was found dead on August 22, 1922, in his Los Angeles home. The circumstances surrounding his death were both shocking and bizarre. Fred was shot three times during a heated argument with his wife, Walburga "Dolly" Oesterreich. The argument escalated to the point where Otto Sanhuber, Dolly's secret lover who had been living in the attic of their home for years, emerged with two .25 caliber pistols and fatally shot Fred.
The investigation
into Fred's death revealed a tangled web of deceit and infidelity. Dolly had been having an affair with Sanhuber for nearly a decade. To avoid suspicion, she had convinced Sanhuber to live in the attic of their home, first in Milwaukee and later in Los Angeles. Sanhuber, who described himself as Dolly's "sex slave," would come down from the attic during the day to perform household chores and then retreat to his hidden quarters at night.
Initially, the police suspected a botched robbery, as Dolly was found locked in a closet when they arrived. However, further investigation uncovered the truth about Sanhuber's presence in the attic and his involvement in the murder. Dolly and Sanhuber were both arrested and charged with Fred's murder. The case garnered significant media attention due to its sensational details and the unusual living arrangement.
During the trial, Sanhuber testified about his relationship with Dolly and the events leading up to Fred's death. Dolly's defense argued that she had no knowledge of Sanhuber's plan to kill Fred and that she was a victim of circumstance. Despite the compelling testimony, Dolly was acquitted of the murder charges. Sanhuber, on the other hand, was convicted of manslaughter but later released on appeal due to the statute of limitations.
The case of Fred Oesterreich's murder remains one of the most bizarre and intriguing criminal cases in Los Angeles history. It highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to conceal their secrets and the unexpected consequences that can arise from such deceptions.
