Jack Unterweger’s Death: Insights into the Life of a Notorious Killer

Peacock’s latest true crime docu-series, World’s Most Notorious Killers, delves into the chilling stories of five of the most infamous murderers. Among them is Jack Unterweger, infamously dubbed the Vienna Strangler. Convicted of over 10 murders, Unterweger’s life ended tragically when he committed suicide shortly after receiving his sentence.

The twisted psyche of this killer is the focus of World’s Most Notorious Killers episode 2, which premiered on Peacock on September 17, 2024. The episode’s synopsis reveals:

“Police in Vienna, Austria, are perplexed by a series of deaths; when similar murders occur in Los Angeles, detectives realize they are hunting the world’s first transatlantic serial killer: a celebrity hiding in plain sight.”

Jack Unterweger’s criminal past began when he was younger, serving time for earlier crimes. However, upon his release, he resumed his deadly endeavors, evading capture for years until he was finally apprehended. Tragically, Unterweger took his own life in prison, using shoelaces and a fabric string much like the way he murdered his victims.

Who was Jack Unterweger and what did he do?

Jack Unterweger was a notorious Austrian serial killer, whose confirmed victims exceed ten, with suspicions surrounding many more. Born on August 16, 1950, to Theresia Unterweger and Jack Becker, Unterweger’s early life was marked by abandonment and turbulence, particularly due to his father’s absence and his mother’s alleged involvement in sex work.

His troubled childhood included a period living with his grandfather in Carinthia, Austria, following his mother’s arrest. Jack began his life of crime at a young age, accumulating 16 arrests by 1974 for offenses ranging from petty theft to violent assaults.

In 1974, he committed the brutal murder of 18-year-old Margaret Schäfer, leading to his life sentence in prison. However, this incarceration did not mark the end of his criminal activities.

Jack Unterweger’s Second Killing Spree

While imprisoned, Unterweger tapped into his creative side, writing extensively and eventually gaining public sympathy through his autobiography, Purgatory or The Trip to Prison – Report of a Guilty Man. As a result, pressure mounted for his early release, with supporters arguing he deserved a second chance.

He was released in May 1990 and subsequently hired by Österreichischer Rundfunk, Austria’s national broadcaster, as a crime reporter. However, while he thrived in his new role, a series of murders targeting sex workers emerged in Vienna.

Following this, four more victims were discovered in Graz, prompting suspicions as Unterweger remained in the spotlight, even traveling to the United States for a related project. There, similar murders of sex workers occurred, correlating with his known whereabouts.

Authorities quickly connected the dots, noting his presence in cities where the crimes took place. Witnesses also identified him during investigations.

As law enforcement closed in on him, Unterweger fled with his girlfriend but was captured on February 27, 1992, in Florida. Upon extradition back to Austria, he faced 11 murder charges and was convicted of nine. On the day of his sentencing in Graz-Karlau Prison, Jack Unterweger took his own life, mimicking the method he used on his victims.

Episode 2 of World’s Most Notorious Killers delves deeper into his complex and troubled life.

Source