Who is Christian Gerhartsreiter?

Christian Gerhartsreiter is one of the most remarkable con artists and serial murderers in modern criminal history. Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, this German immigrant moved to the United States and created a network of fabricated identities under which he lived undetected for years. His case illustrates the alarming ease with which a person can change their identity multiple times and how long it can take authorities to expose such a fraudster.

The Early Years and Emigration

Gerhartsreiter was an inconspicuous child in Germany. After completing his schooling, he emigrated to the United States in 1983, where he built a new existence. Rather than use his real identity, he reinvented himself. This ability for self-reinvention became his hallmark. In California, he initially assumed the identity "Christopher Crowe" and posed as a wealthy heir. With this fabricated story, he managed to infiltrate high society circles and gain the trust of others.

The Murder of John Sohus

The turning point in Gerhartsreiter's criminal career was the murder of John Sohus in 1985. Sohus was a wealthy man in Southern California whom Gerhartsreiter encountered as a reliable tenant. Under mysterious circumstances, Sohus disappeared. It was not until 1994 that his skeleton was discovered beneath a pool in Malibu—a discovery made nine years after his death. Sohus's brother long suspected that the strange tenant had something to do with the disappearance, but proving it was difficult.

Living Under False Names

The most remarkable aspect of Gerhartsreiter was his ability to create entirely new identities. He lived as "Chip Smith," as "Charles Ducey," as "Christopher Chichester"—each identity with an elaborate backstory. He allegedly studied at prestigious universities, was supposedly a successful financier, posed as a reporter, and dressed according to each role. His frauds spanned decades as he moved from state to state, covering his tracks.