A city under pressure
Poland's Institute of Forensic Research, an official institution based in Kraków, describes Kot as a young resident whose attacks caused widespread fear in the city during the 1960s. The institution states that he was accused of two murders and attempts to kill at least ten more people. His victims were children and women, and the attacks occurred in locations including churches, residential passageways and a public area near the Kościuszko Mound.
The same institutional account notes that investigators initially struggled with an offender whose pattern did not fit their expectations. A person close to Kot ultimately supplied information that helped direct authorities toward him.
Arrest and prosecution
After Kot was identified and arrested, the case became a major public trial followed closely by the Polish press. The verified institutional account establishes the core charging pattern—two murders and at least ten attempted killings—without requiring later sensational nicknames or speculative explanations of motive.
This page therefore avoids presenting rumors or retrospective psychological theories as proven facts. The legal record is sufficient to establish the scale and outcome of the crimes.
Sentence, appeal and extraordinary review
Kot was sentenced to death in July 1967. Polish historical reporting records that the Supreme Court later changed the punishment to life imprisonment in November 1967. That was not the final outcome: an extraordinary review initiated by the prosecutor general resulted in restoration of the death sentence in March 1968.
Official material from the Institute of Forensic Research confirms that the sentence of death by hanging was carried out in prison. Polish historical accounts date the execution to May 16, 1968.
Timeline
1964–1966: A succession of attacks and killings in Kraków generates public fear and a difficult investigation.
1966: Information from a person close to Kot helps investigators identify him; he is arrested and questioned.
July 14, 1967: Kot is convicted and sentenced to death.
November 1967: Supreme Court review changes the punishment to life imprisonment.
March 1968: Extraordinary review restores the death sentence.
May 16, 1968: The death sentence is carried out.
Current status
The case is Solved / Adjudicated. Kot was convicted of the documented murders and attempted murders, and the final sentence was executed. Historical uncertainty surrounding later stories about his medical condition does not alter that legal status and is not presented here as established fact.