What happened
Peter Kürten committed a series of murders and attacks in and around Düsseldorf during the late 1920s.
The investigation
Police faced intense public pressure as attacks appeared to vary in method. Kürten was ultimately identified after a surviving victim provided information that led investigators toward him.
What the courts or investigators concluded
He confessed to numerous offenses, was convicted of multiple murders and was executed in 1931.
Why the case remains significant
Kürten’s case became internationally influential in the study and cultural depiction of serial murder, including early debates about criminal psychology and media fascination with offenders.
Case context
Crime by Region organizes cases geographically so readers can move from one file to other investigations from the same country. For unresolved or contested cases, the wording above reflects the distinction between confirmed events, investigative theories and findings actually established in court.