Władysław Mazurkiewicz was born on January 31, 1911, in Kraków, Poland. Tragically, his mother passed away when he was just three years old. Following her death, he was raised by his father, who worked as a printer. Growing up, Mazurkiewicz experienced the challenges of life without his mother.

After Poland regained independence, Mazurkiewicz finished school and enrolled at Jagiellonian University. He studied law there but did not complete his degree and eventually dropped out. His life took a turn when he was drafted into the military during the September campaign of World War II.

During the German occupation of Kraków, Mazurkiewicz formed a friendship with Rudolf Arnold, who was the human resources chief of the local Gestapo. This connection allowed him to obtain special papers that gave him more freedom to move around the city. To support himself, he engaged in illegal activities, trading gold, money, and diamonds.

After the war, Mazurkiewicz found work with the Polish Red Cross. He also worked as a wine seller and a driving instructor. However, his past actions and connections would follow him. In September 1955, a shooting incident led to his arrest.

Władysław Mazurkiewicz committed his first murder in December 1943. He poisoned Wiktor Zarzecki with tainted tea and took $1,200 from him. After World War II, Mazurkiewicz worked for the Polish Red Cross and was a wine seller and driving instructor.

In September 1955, he shot and injured Stanisław Łopuszyński in Warsaw. Stanisław survived and reported the attack to the police. This led to Mazurkiewicz’s arrest and a large investigation into his past crimes. Police found his revolver, and other victims recognized him.

Mazurkiewicz was charged with six murders and two attempted murders. He was convicted of killing four men and two women. The victims included Wiktor Zarzecki, Władysław Brylski, Józef Tomaszewski, and millionaire Jerzy de Laveaux along with his wife Jadwiga de Laveaux and her sister Zofia Suchowa.

On August 30, 1956, he was sentenced to death by hanging by a regional court in Kraków. Five months later, on January 29, 1957, he was executed just two days before his 46th birthday. Some rumors suggest he may have been responsible for as many as 30 murders, but these claims were never confirmed. During his trial, Mazurkiewicz pleaded not guilty, claiming he was tortured and blackmailed during interrogations.