Rosalie Capellari was born in 1851 in Villach, part of the Austrian Empire. Little is recorded about her early years, but she worked most of her life as a domestic maid and cook. She married young, but eventually divorced her husband—a fact that would later entangle her in the criminal underworld through a second, far darker marriage.

In 1891, she met Franz Schneider, an illiterate ex-convict six years her junior who had just been released from prison. They married quickly, though many believe Franz’s motivation was financial, her 700-florin dowry. When the money was gone, Franz began extorting Rosalie’s ex-husband for more. The newlyweds moved into an apartment in Rudolfsheim, Vienna, operating under false names. Rosalie continued working occasionally as a cook.

The Schneiders’ killing spree began in mid-1891. Their first known victim was Rosalie Kleinrath, 18, approached on 18 June 1891 in Neulengbach. Rosalie Schneider claimed to be a servant for a Baroness and offered her employment. The girl was lured to the couple’s home and then to nearby woods, where she was strangled by Franz. Afterward, the Schneiders raided her apartment and sold her belongings.

On 3 July 1891, Rosalie went to a servants' employment office in Neulengbach and found Marie Hottwagner. After a friendly chat, Rosalie offered her a maid job and convinced her to come to Vienna. Marie was last seen leaving with the couple. Her decomposing body was found about three weeks later, showing signs of strangulation. The stolen items from this murder were sold, allowing the Schneiders to upgrade their apartment.

Just five days later, they repeated the scheme with Friederike (or Vincentia) Zoufar. The victim was lured to a wooded area and murdered. Some accounts claim Franz strangled her while Rosalie helped restrain her. Other versions allege Rosalie used a toxic chemical to poison the victim. Her belongings were sold, and Rosalie was now fully invested in the operation, reportedly quitting her job to assist her husband in locating new targets.

The investigation began when survivor Anna Gyurics came forward after reading about one of the murders in the newspaper. She recognized the description and reported Franz Schneider to the police. On 10 August 1891, authorities arrested Franz and Rosalie at their Vienna apartment, where they were living under the names “Ferdinand and Rosalie Riedler.” Evidence linking them to three known murder victims—and possibly more—was found at the scene.

On 15 September 1891, Rosalie attempted suicide by jumping from a third-story window. Though she sustained severe injuries, she survived and recovered. Meanwhile, investigators discovered two additional corpses in the woods, bringing the suspected total to six victims.

Their trial began on 26 January 1892. Franz Schneider confessed with little remorse, appearing unfazed and even cheerful. Rosalie was portrayed as a full accomplice. Witnesses described her holding victims down during the murders, recruiting them at job offices, and selling stolen belongings. At one point during the trial, the couple turned on each other, each blaming the other for the crimes. The case gripped the public, drawing comparisons to the notorious serial killer Hugo Schenk from a decade prior.

On 29 January 1892, Franz was convicted of all murders, while Rosalie was found guilty of murdering Zoufar. Both were sentenced to death. Rosalie was scheduled to be executed first, but in an unexpected turn, her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment with one week of solitary confinement just days before her execution date.

Franz was hanged on 17 March 1892. When told that he wished her well before his execution, Rosalie refused to acknowledge him, showing no emotion.