Bio

Hans B. Schmidt was born in Germany in 1881. He grew up in a Roman Catholic household and was raised with a strong sense of faith. In 1904, he became a priest after completing his studies. He was then sent to the United States in 1908. His first assignment was at St. John's Parish in Louisville, Kentucky.

While in Louisville, Schmidt had conflicts with another priest. This led to his transfer to St. Boniface Church in New York City. During his time in New York, he met Anna Aumuller, who worked as a housekeeper. Anna had recently immigrated from Austria. Despite the distance between them, Hans and Anna began a secret romantic relationship. During this time, they decided to marry in a secret ceremony that Hans performed himself.

In 1913, Hans discovered that Anna was pregnant. This shocking news made him anxious about their secret life being revealed. Schmidt's early years as a priest were marked by ambition, yet his personal life took a complicated turn with Anna. Their relationship would eventually lead to a tragic conclusion.

Murder Story

On September 2, 1913, Hans Schmidt killed Anna Aumuller, who was his pregnant lover. After he discovered that she was expecting a child, he realized that his secret life would soon come to light. In a violent act, he slashed Anna's throat. Following this, he dismembered her body and disposed of the remains by throwing them into the Hudson River.

Once the body parts were discovered, police began an investigation that led them to Schmidt. He was arrested and charged with murder. The case quickly gained media attention, attracting public curiosity due to Schmidt’s status as a priest and the nature of the crime.

During his first trial, which started on December 7, 1913, Schmidt claimed insanity. The jury could not reach a verdict, resulting in a hung jury. A second trial began on January 19, 1914, where evidence of Schmidt's guilt was presented. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on February 5, 1914. He was sentenced to death, making him the only priest in the United States to receive this penalty.

On February 18, 1916, Hans Schmidt was executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing Prison. His case did not end with the murder of Anna Aumuller, as further investigations linked him to other possible crimes, though he was never charged with them.