A mother shot and killed the man who took her seven-year-old daughter’s life as he was standing trial.
Marianne Bachmeier took justice into her own hands by fatally shooting Klaus Grabowski, her daughter’s killer, while he stood trial for the murder of seven-year-old Anna Bachmeier back in 1980, per the Sun.
The incident began when Anna Bachmeier was found dead on May 5, 1980, sending shockwaves through the community.
Marianne Bachmeier took matters into her own hands. Credit: United Archives/Getty
Klaus Grabowski later admitted to the heinous crime and faced trial for his actions.
Grabowski’s arrest came after his fiancée alerted authorities, leading to his confession of murdering the young girl.
Moreover, suspicions arose about possible sexual assault, although Grabowski denied these allegations. Nonetheless, his prior criminal record for child molestation raised significant concerns.
Feeling that mere incarceration wasn’t sufficient punishment for her daughter’s killer, Marianne Bachmeier, originally from Germany, took decisive action.
On March 4, 1981, during Grabowski’s trial, Bachmeier entered the courtroom armed with a .22-caliber Beretta pistol and fired eight shots, six of which struck Grabowski.
The mother killed her daughter’s killer in the courtroom. Credit: United Archives/Getty
Eyewitnesses reported hearing Bachmeier express her desire to kill Grabowski, referring to him as a “pig.” The act claimed Grabowski’s life, leaving Bachmeier to face trial for his murder.
Bachmeier, dubbed Germany’s “Revenge Mother,” sparked widespread debate over the justifiability of her actions. While some sympathized with her quest for retribution, others questioned the legality and morality of her vigilantism.
Legal proceedings deliberated whether Bachmeier’s actions constituted premeditated manslaughter or murder.
In 1983, she was convicted of premeditated manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison, though she served only half of her term before being released.
Despite the unlawful nature of her actions, Bachmeier found support among parents who empathized with her profound grief and desire for justice.
A resurgence of interest in her story occurred when a reconstruction of the courtroom shooting surfaced on YouTube in 2022, reigniting discussions about her controversial act.
Reflecting on Bachmeier’s actions, one commenter said: “Gotta respect how the officers didn’t tackle her or anything but just gently lowered her arm. You can tell that everyone in that room was agreeing with her.”
A second added: “Feminine rage. No one is more fearless than a mother who has lost her child. Nothing can stop her anymore.”
A third added: “She just looks so emotionally exhausted. I hope in her next life, or somewhere, she reunites with her daughter. I can’t even imagine what she was feeling. She’s a hero and she did the right thing.”
