Franz Schneider was born in 1857 in Murstetten, a rural hamlet in the Sankt Pölten-Land District of Austria-Hungary. His early life remains largely undocumented, but it’s known that he rarely attended school and was illiterate for most of his life. He had a brother named Heinrich. From a young age, Franz turned to petty crime—committing thefts and robberies—which led to frequent imprisonment. His criminal career spanned much of his youth and early adulthood.

After being released from prison on April 28, 1891, Franz relocated to Vienna, where he met Rosalie Capellari, a divorced maidservant and cook originally from Villach. She was six years older than him. Their marriage appeared transactional—Franz likely married her to gain access to a 700-florin dowry. When the money ran out, he began extorting Rosalie’s ex-husband for more. The couple soon moved into an apartment in Rudolfsheim under false identities, surviving through Franz’s scams, thefts, and occasional work as a butcher or servant.

Franz and Rosalie Schneider’s killing spree began with botched attacks. On 11 September 1890, Franz lured Johanna Dumsegger under false pretenses, assaulted her, and attempted robbery. She survived, but authorities dismissed her report. In May and June 1891, he assaulted two other women—Johanna Strober and Anna Gyurics—again under the guise of employment offers. These early attacks foreshadowed the horrific murders to come.

On 18 June 1891, the Schneiders approached 18-year-old Rosalie Kleinrath, offering her a job as a maidservant for a “Baroness Falke.” She followed them to their residence and later accepted Franz’s invitation to walk through the woods of St. Christophen. There, he strangled her and stripped her of valuables. The couple then ransacked her apartment and sold her belongings.

On 3 July 1891, Rosalie visited an employment office and approached Marie Hottwagner, offering her work. Marie agreed to accompany the Schneiders to Vienna. She was last seen leaving with them by her boyfriend. Her body was discovered around 20 days later in the forest near Vienna, visibly robbed and strangled.

On 8 July 1891, the couple lured their third victim, Friederike (or Vincentia) Zoufar, under a similar false job offer. Franz strangled her and attempted to hide the body under tree branches. Another version of the story claims Rosalie poisoned her with toxic fumes. The couple then sold her clothing, which helped fund their lifestyle and allowed Rosalie to quit her job and fully assist in hunting new victims.

On 24 July 1891, after the murder details surfaced in the press, survivor Anna Gyurics finally went to police. Her testimony matched Franz Schneider’s description. A manhunt led to the couple’s arrest on 10 August 1891 in Rudolfsheim. They were living under the aliases “Ferdinand and Rosalie Riedler.” Police recovered personal items belonging to the three known victims and other unaccounted-for women.

Rosalie attempted suicide on 15 September 1891 by jumping from a window but survived. In the months that followed, investigators recovered two more decomposed female bodies, further linking the Schneiders to additional unsolved murders.

The couple’s trial began on 26 January 1892 and captured massive public interest in Vienna. Franz appeared unfazed, even cheerful, during the trial, admitting his crimes. Rosalie was portrayed as both accomplice and enabler, with witnesses claiming she helped restrain victims. As the trial progressed, the couple began blaming one another.

On 29 January 1892, Franz was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to death. Rosalie was also sentenced to death for Zoufar’s murder, though her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment days before her scheduled execution.

Franz spent his final days writing farewell letters, requesting roast pork, cigars, wine, and coffee as his last meal. On 17 March 1892, he was hanged in Vienna before a crowd of over 150. The execution, led by Jozef Seyfried, drew criticism for omitting the traditional black hood and using a gallows spike. When told her husband had been executed, Rosalie showed no emotion and refused to acknowledge him.