Vladimír Lulek was born on 21 May 1953 in Šťáhlavy, Czechoslovakia. His early life is marked by a long pattern of criminal behavior. Between 1972 and 1979, he served nearly seven years in prison for various crimes, including theft, robbery, and bodily harm. Even after his release, he remained deeply entangled in antisocial behavior.

In 1983, Lulek married Jaroslava, and they started a family together. At first, their marriage seemed stable. However, they both soon developed a heavy drinking habit that led to constant fights, mostly over financial problems. Those close to them such as friends, family, and neighbors described their relationship as volatile and dangerous.

Reports suggest that Lulek regularly assaulted his wife, even throwing knives at her during arguments. Despite the violence, Jaroslava remained in the marriage, often standing her ground even when faced with threats. Neighbors would later say they constantly heard shouting and loud altercations coming from their apartment.

On the night of 22 December 1986, just days before Christmas, a horrific crime unfolded inside the Lulek household.

That evening, Jaroslava and her 12-year-old daughter, Vendula, were decorating their home while the younger children, seven-year-old Kateřina and eight-year-old Přemysl, were asleep in bed. Lulek, meanwhile, had been drinking in a local pub and returned home with a stranger he had just met. Tensions rose quickly. Jaroslava scolded him, which led to an argument.

In a chilling escalation, Lulek walked away, returned with a knife and a sharpening block, and began silently sharpening the blade in front of his wife. As she tried to de-escalate the situation, he struck her twice in the head with the sharpener, knocking her down. She attempted to flee but he chased her into the hallway and stabbed her 36 times.

The bar acquaintance tried to intervene but was lightly injured and managed to escape. A neighbor, hearing the commotion, rushed to help Jaroslava and tried to stop the bleeding. But Lulek returned and stabbed the neighbor in the stomach, leaving him critically wounded but still alive.

Lulek then went back into the apartment and murdered the two sleeping children, Kateřina and Přemysl, in their beds. Police soon arrived at the scene and discovered the bodies of Vendula, Jaroslava, and one-year-old Vladimíra, all dead.

Lulek then attempted to take his own life by slashing his wrists and throat, but failed. He was taken into custody immediately.

After his arrest, Lulek tried to avoid the death penalty by pretending to be mentally ill. He went on a hunger strike and refused to speak during his trial. However, forensic psychiatrists determined that while he may have had psychological disturbances, his actions were intentional and he was fully aware of his crimes.

Throughout the trial, Lulek remained mostly silent, though he continued to write clear and coherent letters to his parents, further evidence against his insanity plea. He was found to be incapable of rehabilitation and was sentenced to death.

Vladimír Lulek was executed by hanging on 2 February 1989 at Pankrác Prison in Prague, becoming the last person executed in the modern-day Czech Republic.