Fritz Haarmann: Vampire in the Weimar Republic (1924–31)
The documentary series investigates the shocking story of Fritz Haarmann, also known as the 'Vampire of Hannover,' who murdered at least 24 young men between 1918 and 1924. Haarmann, who operated in the chaotic Weimar Germany following the First World War, lured victims by posing as a police officer.
The series sheds light on how Haarmann exploited the social unrest and desperate conditions of post-war Germany. Many of his victims were homeless boys and young men who arrived at Hannover's train station in search of work or food. Haarmann reportedly sold his victims' clothing and belongings, and unsettling rumors exist that he also traded in their flesh.
The documentary series covers the 1924 trial, in which Haarmann was convicted of 24 murders, although the actual number of victims was likely higher. He was executed by guillotine in April 1925. The series situates the crimes within the context of the Weimar Republic's social collapse, exploring how a serial killer could operate for so long during a period marked by poverty, inflation, and political chaos.
The series is available on the streaming platform Tubi.
