In the dark and dreary city of Düsseldorf, a figure emerged from the shadows, casting a haunting pall over the streets. Peter Kürten, known as The Vampire of Düsseldorf, unleashed a reign of terror that plunged the city into fear and despair. His sinister crimes, which included murder, sexual assault, and arson, marked a gruesome chapter in the city’s history.

The nefarious Kürten was branded by a renowned forensic scientist as the “king of the sexual perverts.” Guilty of nine murders and seven attempted murders, he was sentenced to death by beheading and met his end in July 1931 at the age of 48.

His macabre moniker, “Vampire of Düsseldorf,” stemmed from his twisted desire to drink the blood of his victims. As his execution loomed, Kürten’s request for a final meal of Wiener Schnitzel, fried potatoes, and a bottle of white wine added another chilling layer to his gruesome legacy.

Decades later, a film titled The Vampire of Düsseldorf brought Kürten’s crimes to life, captivating audiences with a fictionalized account of his reign of terror during the Great Depression era.

Kürten’s tragic upbringing in poverty and abuse laid the groundwork for his descent into darkness. His harrowing childhood, plagued by violence and alcoholism, foreshadowed the grim path he would follow. At just 13 years old, his involvement in animal cruelty and bestiality foreshadowed the unspeakable acts he would commit in the future.

The chilling saga climaxed on May 25, 1913, when Kürten claimed his first innocent victim, Christine Klein, a nine-year-old girl. The gruesome act, accompanied by the chilling sound of her blood dripping on the floor, left a haunting stain on history.

The legacy of Peter Kürten, The Vampire of Düsseldorf, stands as a somber reminder of the darkest depths of the human soul. His final meal and haunting last words echo through the ages, casting a shadow that lingers in the annals of history.