I am so impressed Elizabeth stayed sane, survived, AND taught her children to read and write. If there is a global medal for bravery, I nominate Elizabeth.
What really breaks my heart...in the photos of the prison, Elizabeth tried so hard to make it cheery and nice for her kids. The octopus stickers in the bathroom...She tried so hard to save them from the nightmare of their situation with the little she had. Wow... What a great mom. What an incredible woman.
@@charlesxcalibur yep, Ariel Castro. There was also a serial killer, Anthony Sowell, operating in the same area where Castro lived, in the same timeframe. Some of Castro's vics were investigated as possible victims of Sowell before they were discovered alive.
I've done 5 years on a 4 yard. If that old man was in an American prison he would be assaulted daily just like he did to her. Sick old man would deserve every second of it.
I've seen inmates do it when a high profile would hit the block. It was total brutality but it became kind of a team building exercise to see who could break them first. Its what they get, kids and women are off limits.
This is one of, if not THE most, disturbing cases I've ever heard about in my life. It's a fate far worse than death. I'm amazed at Elizabeth's will to live and her love for her kids because there's no way I could have survived 24 years in that hell. I'm glad they have managed to reintegrate into society and are doing okay.
24 years plus all the years she was raised with him too. I spent nearly 8 years with a father who was similar as far as being abusive and that was damaging enough. I can't even imagine what they went through. Sickening. 😢
@@crzycolchris he's the only one one who can open the basement and most likely locks the door behind him. Killing her father would have ment suicide being stuck their with no food and no assurance of anyone discovering her. He also most likely leave his phone before entering that small door so she could not sneak and take it which can also mean no contact from the outside after she kill her dad.
I'm an austrian and I remeber when all this came forward my dad just quietly said "Too bad we don't have the death penalty anymore." As far as it concerns me, put this guy in general population in prison and let happen whatever happens.
I’m suggesting an assault for an assault. Nightly, like he gave. Seams fair. I’m sure someone in prison wants to possess him and make him property right? He hasn’t outlived his usefulness yet.
The saddest part is there are other people like this that aren't caught. Had he not taken the first child to hospital they would have still be living there to this day
Sure makes it scary bringing my gorgeous 4 year old daughter into and raising her in this crazy world we live in. Especially when it seems to only getting crazy every day. Ugh. Sometimes people really suck.
@@WhatTheWHAT524 I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse but stuff like this has always been happening. Its just the fact that the internet is making it easier to find out about this happening.
@@Nostripe361 Absolutely. I'm definitely all to well aware unfortunately. But the internet and technology certainly has made the information that much easier to access. However that isn't all of it. Our world is far from the same as it was when I was growing up. I am back living in my childhood home raising my daughter in the same neighborhood with almost all the same neighbors and even then everything is different. Not just because the information is now available but because quite frankly people have become more and more self absorbed and lazy and in my opinion they stopped caring about one another more than ever. All in all a sad sad thing to think about. All I can do is try to raise my daughter to be the best person she can be and help make sure she's able to live a happy healthy life to the best of our abilities. And she is and always will be a good person if I have anything to say about it. Lol but I also believe that she needs to learn how to deal with the negative stuff too. And not get a participation trophy for everything under the sun. I want her to be able to lose or whatever and not feel like her world is coming to an end. Sorry haha that turned into a much longer comment than I normally post, by a lot. Hope you are well and have a great rest of the weekend. What little there is left of it in my case anyway.
@@WhatTheWHAT524 I agree with you. In the past, even if your neighbors were nosy and bugged you too much, at least you had the benefit of knowing that some one cared about you enough to bug you at all. You could laugh it off and forgive them. Now we live in a world where we pretend our neighbors don't exist. And this bothers me a lot. It is not the way we are supposed to live.
He was just transferred from the psych ward to regular prison, because he is so broken down by dementia and no longer able to walk, that he is no longer considered dangerous (because he is no longer „himself“). I don’t know for sure, but our laws probably don’t allow for „without the possibility of parole“. In his case parole would have meant him standing in front of a board, that tells him in no uncertain terms, that the answer is and will always be no.
Josef is quoted as having said, "I'm no monster. I could have just killed them, and no one would have ever found out about it." Just in case you weren't disgusted enough.
@@davidvreugdenhil4557 Don't you know? 1) Death is worse than decades of constant physical/mental torture, and 2) due to this, the latter is not monstrous. 😒😔
@@dismalthoughts eh, I beg to differ, I rather death than to be excruciatingly tortured and embarrassed everyday of my life. Death you no longer feel pain. But imo.
Austrian here: I was 20 years old when this story made it to the news and, though it may sound strange, it had an incredible effect on my father's and my relationship. My father and me have always been really close. He was/is a high ranking police officer, a no-bullshit kind of tough guy who never drinks alkohol and has no friends, because he doesn't trust anybody outside our family. During his service, he has seen a hell lot of really dark shit and simply took it like a man and he put a lot of effort into it to raise me as tough as he thought was required to mentally survive this kind of stuff. As a kid, I was never allowed to cry due to that mentality and he would make sure that I always kept it in my mind that "men don't cry, we endure what we have to deal with and move on". Before the Fritzl case was made public, I visited my father and was quiet astonished that he was sitting outside drinking beer. At first I made a joke about it, but my father didn't respond at all. In fact he didn't even say hello to me or anything, so I kinda started to worry. I sat down right next to him and asked if anything was wrong. I could clearly see how he was fighting with himself, he wanted to talk to me, but the words simply didn't want to come out of his mouth. After a while, he suddenly hugged me and started to cry like a manic. I was fucking shocked and honestly, I started to panic for a little bit, because I had never seen him that way. Eventually he told me what happened. It was the Fritzl story and he was among the officers who had to deal with Elisabeth and her kids. Man, I'll never forget how this tough man laid crying in my arms, wrestling for air and repeating multiple times, "There is no god." It sends shivers down my spine even today when I think about it. Strangely, after those days, our relationship devolped from "father to son" to "man to man", if that makes any sense. He wasn't my mentor anymore, we were more like two good friends advising eachother in whatever situation. I always knew that I can count on him, but I think it was exactly this time when he needed me and I was there for him that he learned that he could count on me, too.
I can see how that would make a man question God and break down crying. I believe in God, but things like this make me wonder, how is it fair to be born into something so horrible while some are born into loving families that care and support them. I don't know the answer, but I keep faith, I have to or I would lose my mind.
Tough break for a kid, mental toughness has very little to do with crying. I'm happy you and your dad are getting along now that he had the courage to share his fear.
@@kennethmatney9622 because the people that are born into things like this, relate to the sin nature of the world better than those who weren't. If you were brought up rough yet believe in God, you can sew how someone who has never known God may turn to drugs after a life like this, or they may use it to benefit others. It's free will. God didn't make the world ugly. We did. God gave us that choice and sadly most of us choose to fulfill the flesh and this man did exactly that.
He wanted to break and control her because she was the only one that defied him. But he never did. She is such a strong heroic person. She did all she could for her children despite how they were conceived. I hope she is in a good place and her children. As best they can be.
I remember as a child my grandfather would tell me, Mijo don't be afraid of the dead (ghosts) be afraid of the living. Why worry about the unknown or aliens when there are monsters dressed in human clothing. Holy shit that story is fucked up.
@@lsixty30 No, 30ish years ago my mother taught me how to read... I was in love, first book I read was the dictionary. That's legitimate... Only got to the letter 'M', but it was my first book, lol. I would read the billboards down the road, I'm sure mom regretted her mistake. :D
@@lsixty30 OP's grandfather was building(fashioning) a container(OP is the vessel) to hold an amount of stoicisim(towards ghosts, ghouls, and stuff. His grandfather was saying to be wary of human monsters instead of myths/legends). Stoicisim is when you're stoic. It means to endure whatever pain & crap comes your way w/o complaint, or letting your emotions get the better of you. This is what Mark's comment means. It's very poetic, but isn't over the top complicated when you break it down.
same with my great grandma and my grandma they both had this amazing mother daughter bond and shared it with my mother and my mother shared it with me . our bond is binded by our understanding of the universe that not everything is what it seems because sometimes even the nicest people are the most vile behind closed doors. tbh i fear nice people because they hide their monster personalities too well to notice and at least the mean ones are predictable but the one’s who smile are the ones who laugh at someone else’s pain my mother said and that stuck with me.
One very satisfying piece of trivia is that when Fritzl was finally locked up in his own prison cell, guards noted that he cried like a baby - no doubt it dawned on him that he would now be the one spending the rest of his life locked up - better still, in solitary confinement after being assaulted by other inmates, a fate he had mapped out for his own daughter, while she and her children went free. That's real justice and karma for you.
I honestly still don't think his punishment is enough. The oldest granddaughter spent the first 19 years of her life never seeing the sun. He robbed her of her childhood. The most important time of most people's lives that develops the foundation for who they are. Imagine the trauma.
@@14kiddd That's not how any justice system in the western world operates. Sadly the justice system cannot get back the lives of the people he destroyed and took from them, revenge doesn't solve anything. You don't even know what his victims wan't.
This is definitely the most horrific story I've ever heard. Elizabeth is really a true warrior with everything she did, even delivering babies herself and taking care of them. 24 years without seeing the sunlight is just non-sense. How someone could be so bad to do that to his own daughter? He should not receive parole.
Totally agree he is evil through and through and it's no surprise he is the most hated man in jail he is disgusting should never get out makes my skin crawl poor kids
There were many doors and combination locks leading to that basement that only the father knew how to get out of. If she killed him, Elizabeth and her kids would have been locked in with his rotting body and eventually run out of food as well.
What scares me is that there is more than likely thousands of people in these situations and there is nothing we can do to stop it. All we can do is hope for an escape
This is messed up, one of the craziest stories you've covered so far, it's crazy how people like this are allowed to live. That's 24 whole years of suffering Elizabeth can never get back.
I think one of the worst parts of this video was hearing that a father who imprisoned, assaulted, and impregnated his own daughter is ELIGBLE FOR PAROLE
I'm at a loss for words. The level of cruelty and savagery someone can inflict on their own child/children just baffles me. Shout-out to those inmates that knocked that repugnant piece of shit's teeth out, well done boys.
It's kinda poetic in a way that he now has to live 24/7 in a room where he rarely can get out of and is just left with himself. Wonder if it reminds him of something
but the fact that when police first found out that he was abusive towards his family while they were on investigation of missing Elizabeth, police did absolute nothing to stop that abuse on that family. its just disgusting.
@@hoosk490 I mean he admitted to it and it's not like he was just building a basement. They already had a basement and in the basement he built that area behind a secret case with locks that wouldn't be tampered with so I'm pretty sure it was 100 percent intentional. He said he wanted full control over her that's why he kept getting her pregnant so even if she got out she'd be broken and nobody would want her
He started building it when she was 12, he most likely had been planning it for years before that. I can`t comprehend what kind of person can do that to anybody let alone their own child. He should never be considered for parole.
If that ever happend to me.. I'll be honest, I think I would've ended my own life in the basement this real life story is the most disgusting one I've ever heard of
She adapted like anyone else trying to survive slavery. She is not the same person she could have been and she will be haunted by his actions for the rest of her life. People don't see what these people really go through, they just say the same things, you are so strong etc. Survivor, live laugh love...
I was with my wife when she gave birth twice in the safe environment of a private hospital and it was traumatic to say the least. I cannot imagine what that poor girl went through in that dungeon on her own. To then raise them and educate them in those conditions just shows you how incredibly strong women can be.
I may be wrong, but I feel the only reason she survived was because of the kids. She didn't want to die and leave them alone with that monster. Which shows despite everything she was a true caring mother.
I think the children were a major reason, too, but not the only one. She was a very strong person to begin with, as the story states, she was the only member of the family that was willing to stand up against their tyrannical father before he locked her up. He understood that he wasnt able to break her and it drove him crazy so he tried harder. But she just had it in her.
Even the most horrible people in prison seem to have one rule. If you hurt, torture, abuse, assault children then you are an instant target and they will hurt you because of it. It's like you hurt kids and we find out, your dead.
This story made my blood boil so much, the fact that the dad didn't care that he took all of those children's childhood away or the fact he had no reaction to incinerating a baby is so disgusting. I hope that man spends the rest of his life in solitary so he knows what it feels like to be alone
It's truly amazing that Elizabeth survived all those years and never gave up. She even gave her children hope while teaching them to read and write and telling them someday they'd get to see the real world outside of the basement. What a remarkably strong young woman she was. Wherever her and her children are im so glad they are safe now.
@@franziskahuber9664 He might. Only America locks people up for their entire lives. Life means different things all over the world. Most countries will execute before spending more than 30 years in a taxpayer prison. America just makes too much money off of convicts.
Mad respect for Elizabeth for staying strong for 24 years. Joseph was a demon, a monster, he will receive punishment in hell. I hope that Elizabeth and her kids are happy and living their lives to the fullest.
Ya, I can imagine, if he actually is released in 2024, he will be shot the moment he's out of the building and the cops will just say a bullet fell from the sky, this guys deserves no remorse.
That philosophy is exactly why evil persists. And prevails. Punishment HAS to be IN SIGHT at the time of the offense. Another reason of thousands why religion only destroys and neglects.
@@ImmaSaveUFromMe shut up. you have to bring the "god doesn't exist and you are stupid to believe" i hope that someday i can see 1 comment about god without you people saying all these crap. if you dont believe in him its okay just dont force others into your shit
@@RR-js9dj do you realize how hypocritical you sound? You're upset about people invalidating religion, but you don't realize that this way of thinking basically tells non-religious victims to suck it up and trust that these people will get their punishment in a place that the victim doesn't even believe in. You really are just telling victims to shut up.
Imagine that monster had a car crash or some random accident and died, those poor victims would have starved to death with nobody knowing they were down there! Absolutely horrifying 😡
Had heard about this story years ago. Still, it was gut wrenching to hear it again. Seems so unbelievable. Thanks to the inmates for knocking his teeth out. He deserves far worse and I'm sure he'll get it after he dies. Heart is literally crying for Elizabeth and her kids.
Yeah, I remember that case. When he was sentenced and was assigned a prison he will be transferred to, there was a man in the prison for cannibalism and he said: "I can't wait he arrives, I will prepare myself a Fritzl schnitzel"
I just turned 24 when the news reported this case. At that time, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She had been captured since I was born and for 24 years, for 24 freaking years. I couldn't stop comparing my timeline with hers. I had been born, became an infant, attended kindergarten, school, university, and started to work, but she had been captured and tortured during that time. I do wish that she is leading a better life after passing through that nightmare.
The scars from something like that will never fully heal sadly but at least she made it out and can find piece in the fact that her abuser will more than likely die in prison. Those poor kids now have to live with the fact that they were a product of this horror
Meanwhile, there are actually Go Fund Me pages out there for some of the most ridiculous "I inflicted this shit on myself" crap out there.... Smh. This girl deserves the biggest handout her community could muster. Pray for her 💓
He actually went on a two week holiday (vacation) to Spain and left Elizabeth and her children without food or electricity for the entire two weeks!! When he went to trial, copies of the colour photos were released to the media. It showed him smugly sitting in a Spanish restaurant, holding a lamb shank up to his gaping mouth, pretending to take a bite with a real happy look on his face!! All the while his daughter and children were starving half to death in the dark of the basement!! He fills me with utter revulsion!!
@@Theeditor2828 Yep. I remember it happening. It did go around the world. There's plenty of horrific things out there that have happened through the years, all carried out by humans....... The most dangerous predators on the planet!
I watched a movie called "Girl in the Basement" based on this horrific crime, and man, it was too terrifying.......Elizabeth was so brave.....and I also think that Elizabeth's mom had no idea about what was going on in the basement because I have seen people like her who are so controlled by their fathers/brothers/husbands that they don't speak a word against them or never question them.....still can't understand how can you do this to your own daughter or to anyone.....
And then the way he tricked her down there by making her think she was just helping her dad with something that could potentially save their lives later. Just fucking sick.
I really feel so bad for her 😞 this type of monster should have tortured like hitler does with his opponent until he dies i would love to watch that video
100% Even the ghosts and forest creatures aren't this cruel. They'll scare you for a few nights then let you go. This monster is one of the most evil people I've ever heard of. May he live a long life in solitary
The fact that this man basically performed some of the worst atrocities you can to another living being, he's supposedly eligible for parole. But if a dog bites someone once for whatever reason, they have a chance of being sent to a kennel to be put down immediately. Human ethic is broken.
This made me sad. Like seriously. Last month a dog was hanged cuz he was chasing the neighbours chickens. But a rapist is allowed to roam free. I don't even know what to say anymore to this.
Exactly man. And this person deserves no mercy and is beyond rehabilitation, I can only hope he's living in hell mentally in isolation but I have a feeling he doesn't care sadly. 20 years of joy might just be worth it to him and that remark about getting her pregnant over 10 times so no one can ever love her really makes me think he's still enjoying what he did. Thankfully the victim is very strong and didn't completely lose her mind, or her kids likewise
I appreciate that you always, or almost always have pictures/drawings of the actual people involved. This adds a lot to the credibility / realness of your stories.
Also, can we just acknowledge how brave Elizabeth was for being able to tell them what had happened? Imagine how her kids feel, never having seen the sky or the grass, or cars, or just…anything. This man was the true definition of evil in human form.
@@Stardust_7273 Essentially a mother and her son grow up in a shed due to be forced to stay that from what I can recall. The mother tells her son about a world outside of the room. The man who keeps them there only gives them stuff at night when the boy is asleep.
@@markey412 yeah true, I'm a good lad so never been locked up 😂but have mates who have and they say if you done anything like being a pervert or paedophile then they will kick your head in. They will make everyday for them hell
Maybe because those guys endured some kind of abuse when they were young. One of Whitey Bulger's enforcers, Kevin Weeks wrote in a book that he was molested as a child when he was taken away from his parents due to the deplorable conditions at their home, drugs, physical abuse etc. Or one of their own children were abused...
It's generally because the inmates themselves have families and even though they're not the best people in the world, they respect their family. So when they find out someone assaulted a child, they see as "what if that was my kid" and that inmate will have the worst experience in prison out of everyone. I have a few friends that have been in jail so that's why I know this
I was born in 1998. A lot of these cases that you hear about they take place so long ago you regard it almost like ancient history, like its not applicable to today's world. I remember going to kindergarden in 2003. Its so surreal to know I was learning my ABCs & playing with other children - without a care in the world while Elizabeth was imprisoned, raising a Goddamned family in a box.
The thing is he abused his wife and children to the point that they submitted just to avoid his wrath. That made him feel powerful. Only Elizabeth was strong enough to challenge him. What he did to her was to break her and force her to submit. But even in the hellish situation she was forced to live, she was a survivor and so much stronger than he could ever be. That’s what true strength looks like. It’s not always idealistic or even desirable, but it’s the ability to stay strong in the given circumstance. He was a power craving coward, among many terrible things.
Have you seen the documentary? Elizabeth was said to be a quiet girl. I don't think she was indifferent of that of the rest of the household in terms of standing up to this creep like you said because that wasn't mentioned anywhere... He just had a creepy perverted lust filled fantasy of her. It's true that she was so strong minded to have endured as she did for so long.
@@Vim-eo2zy I have only heard the story here. If that’s the case then I take back what I said, but from how this story was presented, it seemed she was brave enough to resent her father to his face. I’m not saying she had to be super vocally opposed, but she was able to stand up against him and that takes strength, especially if you are naturally shy or reserved.
17:38 "In her 19 years of life, she had never been in the sun." I don't know why, but that was the moment that really did me in. I can't even begin to imagine what it would have been like to spend my entire childhood and teenage years never being outside. Not once. It's been hard enough dealing with staying home during the pandemic. It really put things into perspective for me. There is no possible punishment that would be sufficient enough for what this guy did.
Agreed...while he's a not like a serial killer per se, in many ways, he's even more of a monster. They damn sure better not let him go free; he needs to die in prison.
he needs to be in solitary confinement with the minimal amount of food a human can live on. And he shouldn't be able to see the sun for the rest of his life!
I can just imagine how good of a mother Elizabeth is. Those babies were quite literally her whole world and based off the story it seems she gave them everything she had to give.
Literally. Everything. This is why I have to pause during selfish/first world problems and remember just how blessed I am. I’ve been through some stuff, but this is unfathomable.
Can’t believe these people aren’t catching on. When someone is THAT messed up in the head, it doesn’t matter how nice they seem on the surface, they’re still crazy. Don’t give them parole. 89 or not.
Sentencing is not the same in European (most developed) judicial systems as in the American--the main purpose is to rehabilitate not punish, thus shorter nominal sentences. That being said, those who commit heinous acts generally are denied parole at those hearings, resultantly serving more time than initially sentenced.
@@kingkai4957 I've known about this story for a while now and watched a documentary about it. Every recounting of the story says the same thing. The authorities were extremely careful in hiding Elizabeth and her children's identities from the media in order that they could live in peace.
@@RedTobu Yes it's a truly awful story. There were periods when Josef went on vacation for weeks at a time and left little or no food for Elizabeth and the children and they almost starved to death.
That's the part that really struck me. I remember the absolute bliss I felt the first time I walked outside after being quarantined for a month. I feel like if I had stayed inside any longer I would have gone insane. And I'm an adult. I feel like it would be 10 times worse for a child.
Damien Echols can relate. He was in solitary confinement for 18 years, on Arkansas's death row, for a triple homicide he didn't commit. He and the two men he was originally tried with (they both received life in prison) were released in 2011. He's a popular TH-camr now. He was 18 when he was convicted; the other two were 16 and 17. Three boys just tossed to the wolves because some hillbilly cops didn't want to do their jobs.
@@welcome2myhappyworld Covid quarantine didn't mean you can't walk outside to your backyard lol... most people were hanging out in their backyards all the time
@@kingslayer011 that may be true for a lot of people, however, as someone who lives in an apartment complex in a crowded city, that wasn't really an option for me. I also had all my groceries delivered, so the most fresh air I got was opening a window (which is another thing these poor victims didn't have access to).
@@welcome2myhappyworld I was also in an apartment complex for a big part of the pandemic and I still would go outside on walks, to the beach (idk if you are near one but I am) and got some exercise that way.
The fact that he made her put the door of her prison was an incredibly horrible detail... that’s one of the most horrific parts to me. She probably had that going through her head through every beating, every morning, everyday.
It seems very strategic to me. Like one of the ultimate ways to gain control and mess with her mind is by basically making her trap herself in her own prison. This is just so disturbing it’s insane
There are always two sides to the story. Joseph said "She loves the D and refused to leave my house and the rest of my family are lying becauae they're jealous".
@@RealFemto Hes talking about people finding god and forgiveness. His parole is coming up, and with that sort of attitude, there is a good chance he will pass. God forgives all, as long as you repent. So he is forgiven twice over if he finds jesus.
Exactly that. Someone out there is being held captive and we can't help. I remember this story and not that long after someone in USA was caught who held captive two woman. Sick sick fucks. That film ROOM and the book possibly took this idea and how to live after.
Things like these ARE happening right now, world-wide. And you'll most likely never hear about it. Trust me, there's things being done to people all over the world that makes Fritzl's crimes look tame and this is one of the most fucked up things I've ever heard about.
This is the best story Mr Ballen has ever done. If my dog acted that way I would have left within four days, not after four years. Real humans are more terrifying than any paranormal or alone in the forest experience!
It still amazes me how a monster like this can be entitled to parole. As a former Police Officer I thought I had seen and heard the worst of humankind, clearly I hadn’t until today.
In Europe indefinite punishment, in my eyes, rightfully, is ruled an inhumane, cruel punishment. Therefore the offender must have the chance - which is mostly a mind thing - to regain their freedom at some point, if they qualify for it. Parole is no automatic thing. They have to apply for it and show that they changed enough to receive it. Otherwise they remain in prison. I am not sure about Austria, but in Germany there is a second level of safety here. It is called "Safety confinement". This is for people who have been punished, but are still considered dangerous and therefore cannot be set free. The comfort in these kind of prisons is a bit better, but still they remain in custody. But still there are very long sentences - some prisoner remain in prison for many decades, I think the record is over 60 years. In any case Fritzl will be thoroughly checked and considering the severy of his actions, his mental state and the duration of is crime, I doubt very much that he will be released - maybe if he is frail or so and thus not considered a danger any more.
I hope that if one day Elizabeth finds this video she sees these comments. I've never seen a comment section pour so much kindness and respect into one person. Elizabeth is one of the strongest women in the world. I hope she knows all the wonderful love and support we all have for her and her children.
As soon as I heard the man claim he had a grand daughter who was sick I remember a movie I’ve seen “The girl in the basement” or something like that. The real life events are so heartbreaking, respect and love goes out to Elizabeth and her bravery
I can't imagine the shock, horror and disgust the other children must have felt when they were informed that living below them was their actual mother and siblings. For their entire childhood while they were celebrating birthdays and holidays, underneath them a family was huddled together in a cramped sunless pit.
How in the HELL that dude eligible for parole?? I can’t imagine it being granted. I mean I understand those are his last years of life, but those really need to be spent behind bars with the threat of beatings, to the end of his days.
If you think about it, since he will be 89 when parole comes up, it’s almost ironic how the prison he created for his victims was recreated in a sense by his having to suffer in isolation. Then he will truly reap what he has sown if they actually do turn him loose. He would not survive on his own, and that would be the final twist in his well-deserved fate.
I know that prisoners can be very shady individuals but honestly props to them for knocking Josef's teeth out. Let him be afraid of them like how his daughter was afraid.
@@Cheepchipsable I never called them heroes, grow some brain cells and read my comment. Also by what Josef did to his daughter, none of us should like him. Put down the computer and grow up.
Sadly , I know a woman who was abused and held captive by her father. He didn't keep her chained up, but she was controlled by him to an unreasonable extent. She was the middle child of 3 - older sister, younger brother. Her entire life she was abused, beaten, assaulted, raped, tortured and eventually, impregnated. At 15 she had to get an illegal abortion as he wouldn't let her get proper medical care. The damage that did to her meant she could never have children again, even if she wanted to. Every time she ran away from home he'd track her down & bring her back. She tried telling her mother, but she refused to believe it. When she was 18yo some friends helped her escape and hid her away. Nothing was kept in her name, no car, no lease, no bank accounts, nothing, so he couldn't track her down. She never went to the police because she was afraid she wouldn't be believed, and because she didn't want to sit in a courtroom with him and retell everything to strangers. He has since passed away. He had alzheimers and emphysema so his passing was long, drawn-out & painful. I'm glad. She is an amazingly strong woman who is now 58yo and one of the best people I know. Incredibly mentally stable considering what she went through
He might then molest his own children/grandchildren and have more. Then, what if he died and there would be no one to go in the basement and give them food?
Exactly, that's why I don't understand why she would be afraid of his threat of gassing them all. She had nothing to lose by having them all gang up on him and attack him. They were better off dead. So what if the attack didn't work and he killed them.
@@bingonamo7520 Something worse than death would also be watching your kids die. Or flat out telling them to do something that will result in their death. You'd be a murderer at that point.
@@ki-kodevorne7318 Mercy killing to end their suffering. The whole lot of them were better off dead. What if they had never been rescued. You are not thinking of the reality of "living" like they were with daily abuse, incestuous rape and suffering. And the torture of knowing your mother lives upstairs and either doesn't know anything, or does but won't rescue you. So close to rescue and yet so far.
@@bingonamo7520 I think you might be wrong if she wanted to be mercy killed she would have done it, although they were suffering they had the will to survive and they did survive and now there out and living. she is a pretty cool person for not giving up
One of the things that saddens me the most about this case is that the children that were kept upstairs were told that their mother was a terrible woman who didnt care for them at all. They were manipulated into thinking that their mother was a villain, when in reality she was kept downstairs with their siblings and prevented from seeing them.
@@JohnDoe-vy5hh i never said it was the worst thing that happened. Far from it. I just said that it makes me sad how those children were lied to about their mother.
yeh when in reality she was actually this extremely loving and caring mother who took care and educated her children even when the situation was like hell
A former classmate of mine lived on the same street as Fritzl, he even visited her house once. He appeared to be a completely normal man, and nobody who knew him had the slightest suspicion.
Yeah I hear solitary is so much rougher than it even appears. Hardened criminals compare it to torture, so I am glad this guy will likely live out all his remaining years under this torture.
@@marvelismarvelous8987 oh it's hopefully someone building a torture dungeon right now awaiting his release date and will abduct him minutes after he walks off the bus or taxi on his day of freedom and then begins his payback
The relationship between a father and daughter is so impactful, and influential...so to have THIS type of disgusting and atrocious dynamic is BEYOND EVIL. What an amazing and strong-willed woman Elizabeth turned out to be, in spited of having the deck stacked against her so unforgivably. I am in utter amazement, wow!
Yes. That Elizabeth was able to remain hopeful and be a good mother to her kids speaks to how strong she must be. I hope her life now is peaceful and healing.
Oh man I saw a documentary on this. They had a tenant renting one of their rooms, who had a dog. The dog used to growl in the evenings and when it was in the garden, with his ears pricked up, seemingly hearing something that no one else could hear. Such a heartbreaking case. Elisabeth and her children deserve the world.
Yes, Elizabeth is an extremely strong woman. Most comments point to the fact that she survived in a basement 24 years and that she taught children how to read and write. What leaves me most awe struck is surviving being r-ped by her father every single day and birthing seven children ALONE... ALONE. no medical interventions, no prenatal care. Nothing. She delivered seven babies, seven placentas, cut seven umbilical cords, watched her newborn die in her arms and then be incinerated. She is strong beyond measure. It also makes me think about all the unnecessary medical interventions in pregnancy and child birth, that end up leading to on going issues. Soap box aside, she is a true warrior. I'd have given up many times over.
Im glad there's still people that can actually analyze things properly and write something this intelligent. And definitely, Elizabeth is beyond words and deserves happiness and peace infinitely.
As a nurse I just want to point out that all these unnecessary medical interventions have halved the neonatal mortality since the 90's, in the US alone. Not even talking about the earlier 20th century. Just from the 90's. Keep that in mind.
I'm a guy that's been a fan of dark stories about serial killers, murder cases, etc for about 5 years. This story is the worst I've ever heard in my life. The thing that gets me is the fact that it's is her own father. She trusted him, she loved him, and he saw her as nothing more than a sex object. The horror of this story shocks me to this day.
I am from Austria. He is the most hated person. He lived a nice life in jail and get out this year to live in a retirement home. It all was in the newspapers. The biggest scandal ever.
It’s scary to think that there is a small possibility that this could currently be the case for other people that have gone missing and still haven’t been found
The entire thing makes me sick to my stomach. She's so strong! I can't even imagine! I had to have an emergency C-section and and then the rest had to be C-section because my body wouldn't allow me to dilate. My kids and myself would have died if not..think if something had gone horribly wrong during birth! I'm so happy they got found finally and are safe and well now! Praying for them!
right? my jaw physically dropped when i heard him describe that. this incredible girl endured so much and i’m so relieved after everything she’s somewhat okay.
@@jpierreareli8282 yeah but if he gets granted parole I say the prison officials should “accidentally” leave him in general population in his last day there.
Im currently 23 , the fact that that poor women and her children were trapped down there at the mercy of that thing for a year longer than I've been alive is hard for me to try and wrap my head around. I'm glad that they are living all reunited now
Apparently at one point he went on holiday to Thailand for 2 weeks, leaving Elizabeth and the kids in the prison, in the dark, during a hot summer, bad air circulation... it's hard to understand how anyone could be so cruel.
@@shabys6530 There’s actually an interview a reporter did with Josef Fritzl and one of the questions were something like ‘it’s always been a question & everyone wants to know, what would have happened if you passed away or died in an accident’ he responds with something like: he greatly prepared for it and that he thought something like that could happen so the steel door or doors had a timer and would automatically open after a certain period of time, letting Elisabeth and the children out’ I assume he could control the timer and set it for anytime, so whilst he was in Thailand, he would have set it for months maybe (in case something happened) as he put in extra food & supplies whilst he was away I don’t know if he is telling the truth, there’s no coverage of the Austrian authorities confirming it. But who knows.
Glad to hear that Elizabeth and her family were given new identities. They deserve to be able to live a deal with this trauma at their own pace rather than having the media harrass them for interviews.
The fact that the authorities brought her back the first time she ran away makes me sick, especially when they knew she ran away because her father was horribly abusive.
@@cdes1776 I always assume that if they were capable of feeling bad about a wrong decision like that they would likely realize before hand they don't want that responsibility (risk of destroying innocent lives), and therefore opt for any job other than being a pig A.C.A.B. ✌️
Another thing is HOW in the world does a woman / her mother ( and I mean the wife of this monster), not only gave this abusive monster children, but continued to stay with him while he was that abusive!!!
That Joseph guy SHOULD be left in general population, they should let him get what's coming to him and let the other prisoners do to him what he did to his daughter.
I don’t think you understand what happens when you’re moved from general to special. I don’t agree at all with the American sentiment of dealing with criminals no matter the offense, but I think you’ll be satisfied to know that it isn’t rainbows and puppies in special. It’s probably a worse fate than what he would face in general.
@Lord Frieza Oh? I'd be curious for more details, the "this guy deserves to suffer more" feeling needs to know more about this. I'm not generally a vengeful person but when someone puts another individual, let alone their own family, through something like this it just completely bypasses that.
Naw, they'll kill him. That's too good for him.. Let him catch his breath outside the gate, and then kidnap him and torture him for the rest of his miserable life.
He should endure what his daughter felt by 600x and going through torture like those saw movies, believe me if he gets released population will know about this sicko
@@kown2259 well the fact that he done it to his own immediate family and for over 20 years I think that probably would be deemed as even more monstrous than the movie saw 👀
I got to say, mom of the year award goes to that girl. She Loved her children despite the circumstances and did everything she could to teach them what she could and give them all the love she possibly could have.
@@gillettepr and even when he does, they wont let him free and even if they would, he wouldn't be able to do anything sinister anymore. But shouldn't given proper elderly care either. I hope he suffers
I think in Europe the pendulum has swung too far… I’m usually all for rehabilitating people but for what this man did to his daughter and her children I don’t think he deserves to ever be paroled.
The movie girl in the basement was so good and the actress was amazing, I’ve watched it several times and I cry hysterically when she hugs the nurse at the hospital in such relief that she never has to go back downstairs
He should never be paroled. He should remain in solitary confinement for the rest of his life, that would be the only justice for what he did to his daughter.
Incorrect the only justice would be to keep him in general population so he could be tormented and tortured by someone bigger and stronger like he did to his daughter. THATS JUSTICE
Knowing austrian law i am sure he will never walk free in public ever again.. After he did his time in prison he will still be in some sort of safe-keeping for psychologicaly ill people and never be allowed to be alone public anymore.
This story is so insane. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it I am still shocked at how evil this man is. This was his own daughter!!! I am so glad they got free from the torture chamber and were given new identities. I surely hope he doesn’t get paroled in 2024 or ever for that matter!!
Maybe. It is quite possible that she kept the faith that something would happen to get her free. I believe that there is something unexplainable inside humans that keeps them moving forward despite disasters and tragedy. If there wasn't, none of us would be here today.
Captain America shield 15:54 on the bedsheet right side of the screen.
Ah! I thought I was the first, but you beat me to it by a freaking half hour!
finnaly some one found it 😂
Side note- I love anything and everything marvel!!!
@@OnlyAtJaMart 😂 lol I’m sorry I found it moments after he posted. It was actually pretty hard to find I surprised myself with this one.
Damn!! that's very cheeky. LOL
I am so impressed Elizabeth stayed sane, survived, AND taught her children to read and write. If there is a global medal for bravery, I nominate Elizabeth.
Her children is most likely the one who kept her sane,,,
@@meekire Yes I think you are correct, however; as a parent, I recognize that children can be difficult at times.
Yes..a most deserving woman. Amazing!
@@jx1659 What's that matter?
@@trumtrum5136
Dufus
What really breaks my heart...in the photos of the prison, Elizabeth tried so hard to make it cheery and nice for her kids. The octopus stickers in the bathroom...She tried so hard to save them from the nightmare of their situation with the little she had. Wow... What a great mom. What an incredible woman.
On top of that she loved them unconditionally despite them being children from her father.
It unfortunately reminds me of this case where 3 women were trapped in a room for 10 years while being beaten and raped somewhere in Cleveland
Yes she sure is!!!! God bless this girl & her babies
I am proud to have the name ELIZABETH ☺️
@@charlesxcalibur yep, Ariel Castro. There was also a serial killer, Anthony Sowell, operating in the same area where Castro lived, in the same timeframe. Some of Castro's vics were investigated as possible victims of Sowell before they were discovered alive.
I've done 5 years on a 4 yard. If that old man was in an American prison he would be assaulted daily just like he did to her. Sick old man would deserve every second of it.
That's what I'm saying 😂 if he was out here in the west coast or Southwest he would have to check into a PC/SNY yard immediately 😤💯
Exactly
I've seen inmates do it when a high profile would hit the block. It was total brutality but it became kind of a team building exercise to see who could break them first. Its what they get, kids and women are off limits.
As far as I've heard from people who do time in the same prison, he gets beaten from time to time.
Exactly. I don’t think he should ever have the chance to have parole.
This is one of, if not THE most, disturbing cases I've ever heard about in my life. It's a fate far worse than death. I'm amazed at Elizabeth's will to live and her love for her kids because there's no way I could have survived 24 years in that hell. I'm glad they have managed to reintegrate into society and are doing okay.
24 years plus all the years she was raised with him too. I spent nearly 8 years with a father who was similar as far as being abusive and that was damaging enough. I can't even imagine what they went through. Sickening. 😢
You should watch the movie on the girl being stuck down there. The movie is called girl in the basement. It's terrifying.
How did she not surprise attack her father at any point?!?!
@@crzycolchris he's the only one one who can open the basement and most likely locks the door behind him. Killing her father would have ment suicide being stuck their with no food and no assurance of anyone discovering her. He also most likely leave his phone before entering that small door so she could not sneak and take it which can also mean no contact from the outside after she kill her dad.
@@colin6448Terrible af movie. Got no facts right.
I'm an austrian and I remeber when all this came forward my dad just quietly said "Too bad we don't have the death penalty anymore." As far as it concerns me, put this guy in general population in prison and let happen whatever happens.
Is it rue he gets out in 3 years, 2024?
@@MsOrionqp he’s up for parole, but I wouldn’t believe they would grant him that. (Hopefully)
I’m suggesting an assault for an assault. Nightly, like he gave. Seams fair. I’m sure someone in prison wants to possess him and make him property right? He hasn’t outlived his usefulness yet.
Prison with daily torture
Death penalty by general prison population
It makes me happy that the inmates in the prison are so violent towards him that his only "safe" zone is his solitary box
Ironic that he himself is cut off from the world...karma is a bitch
Yes! Solitary confinement!
How ironic.... I hope he stays in great health so he can stay there the entirety of his sentence! Sick bastard!
@@christieculpepper7263 but he should be put in general population once a year so he can get his ass beat (or taken) before going back to segregation.
Austrian Prisones are sadly pretty good...
Irony, huh?
The saddest part is there are other people like this that aren't caught. Had he not taken the first child to hospital they would have still be living there to this day
That’s exactly what I was thinking. And now I’m terrified for the rest of my life
Sure makes it scary bringing my gorgeous 4 year old daughter into and raising her in this crazy world we live in. Especially when it seems to only getting crazy every day. Ugh. Sometimes people really suck.
@@WhatTheWHAT524 I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse but stuff like this has always been happening. Its just the fact that the internet is making it easier to find out about this happening.
@@Nostripe361 Absolutely. I'm definitely all to well aware unfortunately. But the internet and technology certainly has made the information that much easier to access. However that isn't all of it. Our world is far from the same as it was when I was growing up. I am back living in my childhood home raising my daughter in the same neighborhood with almost all the same neighbors and even then everything is different. Not just because the information is now available but because quite frankly people have become more and more self absorbed and lazy and in my opinion they stopped caring about one another more than ever. All in all a sad sad thing to think about. All I can do is try to raise my daughter to be the best person she can be and help make sure she's able to live a happy healthy life to the best of our abilities. And she is and always will be a good person if I have anything to say about it. Lol but I also believe that she needs to learn how to deal with the negative stuff too. And not get a participation trophy for everything under the sun. I want her to be able to lose or whatever and not feel like her world is coming to an end. Sorry haha that turned into a much longer comment than I normally post, by a lot. Hope you are well and have a great rest of the weekend. What little there is left of it in my case anyway.
@@WhatTheWHAT524 I agree with you. In the past, even if your neighbors were nosy and bugged you too much, at least you had the benefit of knowing that some one cared about you enough to bug you at all. You could laugh it off and forgive them. Now we live in a world where we pretend our neighbors don't exist. And this bothers me a lot. It is not the way we are supposed to live.
Watching this in 2024. How could a man like this be eligible for parole?
Agree. It doesn't make any sense. He should rot in prison.
That's not a man, that's a monster.
That’s exactly how I felt. He’s pure evil, he doesn’t deserve a single day outside of imprisonment just like he did to her and the kids he forced.
Austria is a bit weird in some ways. It's like Germany but a lot of their laws seems to be a century out of date.
He was just transferred from the psych ward to regular prison, because he is so broken down by dementia and no longer able to walk, that he is no longer considered dangerous (because he is no longer „himself“). I don’t know for sure, but our laws probably don’t allow for „without the possibility of parole“. In his case parole would have meant him standing in front of a board, that tells him in no uncertain terms, that the answer is and will always be no.
i applaud those inmates who assulted this monster.thank you
They're villains and heroes alike
Heroes and monsters are the two sides of the same coin, it all depends on the perspective.
Trust me, not just inmates where after him
Yep, me too. Should leave him in general prison population. His death wouldn't be mourned.
@@TheBaguetteSpy you
Josef is quoted as having said, "I'm no monster. I could have just killed them, and no one would have ever found out about it." Just in case you weren't disgusted enough.
So you're not a monster as long as you only torture them but not kill them.
@@davidvreugdenhil4557 Don't you know? 1) Death is worse than decades of constant physical/mental torture, and 2) due to this, the latter is not monstrous. 😒😔
@@dismalthoughts eh, I beg to differ, I rather death than to be excruciatingly tortured and embarrassed everyday of my life. Death you no longer feel pain. But imo.
@@suhtangwong Oh I totally agree! My comment was sarcastic lol
@@dismalthoughts ohhh, seems as tho I was unwittingly unwitted.
Austrian here:
I was 20 years old when this story made it to the news and, though it may sound strange, it had an incredible effect on my father's and my relationship. My father and me have always been really close. He was/is a high ranking police officer, a no-bullshit kind of tough guy who never drinks alkohol and has no friends, because he doesn't trust anybody outside our family. During his service, he has seen a hell lot of really dark shit and simply took it like a man and he put a lot of effort into it to raise me as tough as he thought was required to mentally survive this kind of stuff. As a kid, I was never allowed to cry due to that mentality and he would make sure that I always kept it in my mind that "men don't cry, we endure what we have to deal with and move on".
Before the Fritzl case was made public, I visited my father and was quiet astonished that he was sitting outside drinking beer. At first I made a joke about it, but my father didn't respond at all. In fact he didn't even say hello to me or anything, so I kinda started to worry. I sat down right next to him and asked if anything was wrong. I could clearly see how he was fighting with himself, he wanted to talk to me, but the words simply didn't want to come out of his mouth. After a while, he suddenly hugged me and started to cry like a manic. I was fucking shocked and honestly, I started to panic for a little bit, because I had never seen him that way.
Eventually he told me what happened. It was the Fritzl story and he was among the officers who had to deal with Elisabeth and her kids. Man, I'll never forget how this tough man laid crying in my arms, wrestling for air and repeating multiple times, "There is no god." It sends shivers down my spine even today when I think about it.
Strangely, after those days, our relationship devolped from "father to son" to "man to man", if that makes any sense. He wasn't my mentor anymore, we were more like two good friends advising eachother in whatever situation. I always knew that I can count on him, but I think it was exactly this time when he needed me and I was there for him that he learned that he could count on me, too.
That's a nice story. Wish I had something like that
I can see how that would make a man question God and break down crying. I believe in God, but things like this make me wonder, how is it fair to be born into something so horrible while some are born into loving families that care and support them. I don't know the answer, but I keep faith, I have to or I would lose my mind.
Tough break for a kid, mental toughness has very little to do with crying.
I'm happy you and your dad are getting along now that he had the courage to share his fear.
@@kennethmatney9622 because the people that are born into things like this, relate to the sin nature of the world better than those who weren't. If you were brought up rough yet believe in God, you can sew how someone who has never known God may turn to drugs after a life like this, or they may use it to benefit others. It's free will. God didn't make the world ugly. We did. God gave us that choice and sadly most of us choose to fulfill the flesh and this man did exactly that.
Evil means nothing if there is no just God. But yes I understand why those thoughts could come after such a horrific tragedy.
The idea of being in labor, but given only scissors and told to just deal with it is horrifying. I can't imagine the fear and pain she went through.
REAL SHIT. This is just heart breaking 😡😢
That’s how we’ve done it for the entirety of human history up until like 100 years ago
@@Sniperboy5551and this is how mothers and kids were dying during labour, genius... 🙄
@@Sniperboy5551at no point in human society has the norm been "you do it alone", there are always people around.
@@Sniperboy5551What a deplorable statement for you to make. How can you be so cold and unfeeling to another human being?
He wanted to break and control her because she was the only one that defied him. But he never did. She is such a strong heroic person. She did all she could for her children despite how they were conceived. I hope she is in a good place and her children. As best they can be.
How did nobody look out for or search her for those years
He could just kill her instead of physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually raping her. What a beast!
@@martin688ify She had run away before, so they assumed she did it again. This was explained in the video.
Those now adult kids have to live with the fact that their father and grandfather is one and the same person.
Yeah, you seen the Netflix movie as well
I remember as a child my grandfather would tell me, Mijo don't be afraid of the dead (ghosts) be afraid of the living. Why worry about the unknown or aliens when there are monsters dressed in human clothing.
Holy shit that story is fucked up.
Your papa was in the practice of fashioning a vessel to contain a volume of stoicism. I think I like him.
@@GrimSleepy what? Did you get a thesaurus for your birthday or something?
@@lsixty30 No, 30ish years ago my mother taught me how to read... I was in love, first book I read was the dictionary.
That's legitimate... Only got to the letter 'M', but it was my first book, lol. I would read the billboards down the road, I'm sure mom regretted her mistake. :D
@@lsixty30 OP's grandfather was building(fashioning) a container(OP is the vessel) to hold an amount of stoicisim(towards ghosts, ghouls, and stuff. His grandfather was saying to be wary of human monsters instead of myths/legends).
Stoicisim is when you're stoic. It means to endure whatever pain & crap comes your way w/o complaint, or letting your emotions get the better of you. This is what Mark's comment means. It's very poetic, but isn't over the top complicated when you break it down.
same with my great grandma and my grandma they both had this amazing mother daughter bond and shared it with my mother and my mother shared it with me . our bond is binded by our understanding of the universe that not everything is what it seems because sometimes even the nicest people are the most vile behind closed doors. tbh i fear nice people because they hide their monster personalities too well to notice and at least the mean ones are predictable but the one’s who smile are the ones who laugh at someone else’s pain my mother said and that stuck with me.
One very satisfying piece of trivia is that when Fritzl was finally locked up in his own prison cell, guards noted that he cried like a baby - no doubt it dawned on him that he would now be the one spending the rest of his life locked up - better still, in solitary confinement after being assaulted by other inmates, a fate he had mapped out for his own daughter, while she and her children went free. That's real justice and karma for you.
I honestly still don't think his punishment is enough. The oldest granddaughter spent the first 19 years of her life never seeing the sun. He robbed her of her childhood. The most important time of most people's lives that develops the foundation for who they are. Imagine the trauma.
@@welcome2myhappyworld he needs the same thing done to him that he did to his daughter. eye for an eye.
@@14kiddd That's not how any justice system in the western world operates. Sadly the justice system cannot get back the lives of the people he destroyed and took from them, revenge doesn't solve anything. You don't even know what his victims wan't.
@@welcome2myhappyworld those kids are his grandkids AND his kids. Incest from raping his own daughter. What a horrible monster
Amen to that
This is definitely the most horrific story I've ever heard. Elizabeth is really a true warrior with everything she did, even delivering babies herself and taking care of them. 24 years without seeing the sunlight is just non-sense. How someone could be so bad to do that to his own daughter?
He should not receive parole.
Hearing that he got his teeth knocked out was favorite part of this story.
Same here :D
I need you to escape. I can cut power to the door for only a few seconds without being detected, get ready.
Being in solitary confinement was also a plus. That's how his daughter had to live.
Him being eligible for parole in a little over 2 years pissed me off again though. Idc if he'll be 89 years old, let him rot.
Yes indeed.
I don't understand how a father could do this to his own daughter. What a sick bastard. Hug your kids tight tonight friends.
Pure evil!
Is a monster ever really a father?
Sick ass people in this world.
Totally agree he is evil through and through and it's no surprise he is the most hated man in jail he is disgusting should never get out makes my skin crawl poor kids
Define father...
Elizabeth sounds like an absolute unit. Her bravery and perseverance is amazing. I don't think I could make it through half the things she overcame.
How did she not kill her father or herself in those 24 years?
@@googleuser9383 id imagine that he tried to “baby proof” everything. Even when she had the sizers she was giving birth so can’t exactly attack
There were many doors and combination locks leading to that basement that only the father knew how to get out of. If she killed him, Elizabeth and her kids would have been locked in with his rotting body and eventually run out of food as well.
G Unit!
Lol no.
What scares me is that there is more than likely thousands of people in these situations and there is nothing we can do to stop it. All we can do is hope for an escape
I had the same reaction. For every one you hear about these stories, there have to be several others that you don’t know about.
This is messed up, one of the craziest stories you've covered so far, it's crazy how people like this are allowed to live. That's 24 whole years of suffering Elizabeth can never get back.
Lmao ur here too??
I’m sure my story is far crazier I’ve seen , heard, things
Damn u are literally everywhere
Are you covid coz your everywhere 😂😂
@@AndrewFlameiing can you tell the stories
I think one of the worst parts of this video was hearing that a father who imprisoned, assaulted, and impregnated his own daughter is ELIGBLE FOR PAROLE
He is...and he will be released next year...but will be damned after this life. It will be a frightening fate for him...
DAMNED for eternity.
Don't worry,street justice will come if he got the parole
Anyone capable of doing that is not safe to let run around in public
He probably doesn't want to get out at this point
Humiliation will kill him slowly
I'm at a loss for words. The level of cruelty and savagery someone can inflict on their own child/children just baffles me. Shout-out to those inmates that knocked that repugnant piece of shit's teeth out, well done boys.
Yes indeed shout out some men are in prison because of crimes they committed to provide for their familes
@@sibusisiwengwenya5869 yes shout out to murder.
They should get 10 years reduced from their prison time for every teeth knocked out :(
@@matt.stevick "some"
Amen 🙏
Even among all of MrBallen’s stories, this one stands out for the staggering levels of evil involved.
It's kinda poetic in a way that he now has to live 24/7 in a room where he rarely can get out of and is just left with himself. Wonder if it reminds him of something
not even CLOSE to the torture she endured... not even close.
@Eric Cooper exactly
but the fact that when police first found out that he was abusive towards his family while they were on investigation of missing Elizabeth, police did absolute nothing to stop that abuse on that family. its just disgusting.
@@zeuxlaught2797 it was around the 70s -80s mind set.... not the 00s onward . so....
No because prison is nothing like jail. And no were close to her situation. Prison is freedom compared to what she went through
He kidnapped her when she was 18 and spent 6 years building the basement.... So when she was 12 you decided this? Ugh I'm disgusted
no he might have just been building a basement , but still he’s a disgusting man
@@hoosk490 I mean he admitted to it and it's not like he was just building a basement. They already had a basement and in the basement he built that area behind a secret case with locks that wouldn't be tampered with so I'm pretty sure it was 100 percent intentional. He said he wanted full control over her that's why he kept getting her pregnant so even if she got out she'd be broken and nobody would want her
He started building it when she was 12, he most likely had been planning it for years before that. I can`t comprehend what kind of person can do that to anybody let alone their own child. He should never be considered for parole.
Well yeah, see, you have to wait until she's 18 or else it would be statutory rape!
... which, as we all know, is the only kind of rape that's bad /s
@@thewhitefalcon8539 what the fuck dude...
How did she survive such abuse? She had immeasurable strength.
Great strength, but it obviously affected here as it made her look 20 years older than she was.
it's really eye shocking how she survived but I'm glad she is okay and away from this crackhead bastard.
@@forexdissector9565 To be honest, I am surprised she didn’t look even older. The abuse and the lack of sunlight could’ve been more damaging.
If that ever happend to me.. I'll be honest, I think I would've ended my own life in the basement this real life story is the most disgusting one I've ever heard of
She adapted like anyone else trying to survive slavery. She is not the same person she could have been and she will be haunted by his actions for the rest of her life. People don't see what these people really go through, they just say the same things, you are so strong etc. Survivor, live laugh love...
The fact that they would even consider parole is mine boggling and angers me to no end.
Ehh sure it's ridiculous but whatever, there's no way in hell he's getting out. I highly, highly doubt it
Yeah, this feels like standard policy. They gotta review him, and his crimes will mean he's never getting out
Even if he got out he would probably get killed very soon
I was with my wife when she gave birth twice in the safe environment of a private hospital and it was traumatic to say the least. I cannot imagine what that poor girl went through in that dungeon on her own. To then raise them and educate them in those conditions just shows you how incredibly strong women can be.
Its scary a f man.
I may be wrong, but I feel the only reason she survived was because of the kids. She didn't want to die and leave them alone with that monster. Which shows despite everything she was a true caring mother.
I think the children were a major reason, too, but not the only one. She was a very strong person to begin with, as the story states, she was the only member of the family that was willing to stand up against their tyrannical father before he locked her up. He understood that he wasnt able to break her and it drove him crazy so he tried harder. But she just had it in her.
Props to those inmates for knocking his teeth out.
Even the most horrible people in prison seem to have one rule. If you hurt, torture, abuse, assault children then you are an instant target and they will hurt you because of it.
It's like you hurt kids and we find out, your dead.
they knocked out his teeth on purpose so he could serve two at the same time
@@darkvortex2410 Even tho no one gives a shit abt kids
@@vidyachristopher4117 then their sentences get lengthened
Should've taken his eyes
This story made my blood boil so much, the fact that the dad didn't care that he took all of those children's childhood away or the fact he had no reaction to incinerating a baby is so disgusting. I hope that man spends the rest of his life in solitary so he knows what it feels like to be alone
Yup. Even the most forgiving side of me wants him stuck in solitary for the the next 1000 years.
The 9th Ring of Hell is waiting for him.
Dude i dont want him in jail i want him to be in hell
I know I said fry him in comment I have never said anything like that before.
@@Domebreaker881 he will be going there soon don't worry
It's truly amazing that Elizabeth survived all those years and never gave up. She even gave her children hope while teaching them to read and write and telling them someday they'd get to see the real world outside of the basement. What a remarkably strong young woman she was. Wherever her and her children are im so glad they are safe now.
This monster should never be let out to roam free again, and I think he deserves everything that comes his way.
Oh he aint getting out ever again.
@@franziskahuber9664 He might. Only America locks people up for their entire lives. Life means different things all over the world. Most countries will execute before spending more than 30 years in a taxpayer prison. America just makes too much money off of convicts.
Hey I like Mr. Ballen!
damn this guy needs death imagine someone impregnates there daughter for fun and get the same punishment as a murder
Franziska Huber He’s getting out in 3 years guys! 😃
Mad respect for Elizabeth for staying strong for 24 years. Joseph was a demon, a monster, he will receive punishment in hell. I hope that Elizabeth and her kids are happy and living their lives to the fullest.
We don't know if he'll recieve punishment in hell, cuz we don't know if that even exists. But at least, he's recieving punishment right now.
Ya, I can imagine, if he actually is released in 2024, he will be shot the moment he's out of the building and the cops will just say a bullet fell from the sky, this guys deserves no remorse.
That philosophy is exactly why evil persists. And prevails. Punishment HAS to be IN SIGHT at the time of the offense.
Another reason of thousands why religion only destroys and neglects.
@@ImmaSaveUFromMe shut up. you have to bring the "god doesn't exist and you are stupid to believe" i hope that someday i can see 1 comment about god without you people saying all these crap. if you dont believe in him its okay just dont force others into your shit
@@RR-js9dj do you realize how hypocritical you sound? You're upset about people invalidating religion, but you don't realize that this way of thinking basically tells non-religious victims to suck it up and trust that these people will get their punishment in a place that the victim doesn't even believe in. You really are just telling victims to shut up.
Imagine that monster had a car crash or some random accident and died, those poor victims would have starved to death with nobody knowing they were down there! Absolutely horrifying 😡
OMG !! Thats summin I hadn’t even thought about your made the story even scarier 😫
omg. I didn't even think of that
I hadn't thought of that either....wow that's terrifying
this thought, right here made me shiverrrrrr...........
The whole house would've started stinking.🤢
Had heard about this story years ago. Still, it was gut wrenching to hear it again. Seems so unbelievable. Thanks to the inmates for knocking his teeth out. He deserves far worse and I'm sure he'll get it after he dies. Heart is literally crying for Elizabeth and her kids.
Yeah, I remember that case. When he was sentenced and was assigned a prison he will be transferred to, there was a man in the prison for cannibalism and he said: "I can't wait he arrives, I will prepare myself a Fritzl schnitzel"
Awhhh man I wish they’d let cannibal guy have a few hours with him but not long enough to kill him!
You know its bad when even the cannibal thinks you’re evil
@@ivyrose5153Ha ha, true!
I just turned 24 when the news reported this case. At that time, I couldn't stop thinking about her. She had been captured since I was born and for 24 years, for 24 freaking years. I couldn't stop comparing my timeline with hers. I had been born, became an infant, attended kindergarten, school, university, and started to work, but she had been captured and tortured during that time. I do wish that she is leading a better life after passing through that nightmare.
The scars from something like that will never fully heal sadly but at least she made it out and can find piece in the fact that her abuser will more than likely die in prison. Those poor kids now have to live with the fact that they were a product of this horror
its kinda sad we cant know the real person so there could be a charity donation given to them
Meanwhile, there are actually Go Fund Me pages out there for some of the most ridiculous "I inflicted this shit on myself" crap out there.... Smh. This girl deserves the biggest handout her community could muster. Pray for her 💓
@@2Bad4YOUuu Is she under some kind of protection program?
That's because you're a kind soul and it's eating at you what he did to her. I wish there were more people like you.
This is the sickest real life story I have ever heard of.
Word.
He actually went on a two week holiday (vacation) to Spain and left Elizabeth and her children without food or electricity for the entire two weeks!! When he went to trial, copies of the colour photos were released to the media. It showed him smugly sitting in a Spanish restaurant, holding a lamb shank up to his gaping mouth, pretending to take a bite with a real happy look on his face!! All the while his daughter and children were starving half to death in the dark of the basement!! He fills me with utter revulsion!!
@@jaylyn7285 right? You always hear about these things when you think you’ve learned just how depraved the world can be
@@Theeditor2828 Yep. I remember it happening. It did go around the world. There's plenty of horrific things out there that have happened through the years, all carried out by humans....... The most dangerous predators on the planet!
The thing is, whenever i hear a dark story i make some dark humor about it. But this is................i will need some time to recover from this
I watched a movie called "Girl in the Basement" based on this horrific crime, and man, it was too terrifying.......Elizabeth was so brave.....and I also think that Elizabeth's mom had no idea about what was going on in the basement because I have seen people like her who are so controlled by their fathers/brothers/husbands that they don't speak a word against them or never question them.....still can't understand how can you do this to your own daughter or to anyone.....
me too dats how i learned bout de case😢
It's really creepy that she knew he was building a shelter for 6years not knowing that whole time he planned to imprison her in it...
And then the way he tricked her down there by making her think she was just helping her dad with something that could potentially save their lives later. Just fucking sick.
I really feel so bad for her 😞 this type of monster should have tortured like hitler does with his opponent until he dies i would love to watch that video
@@AlteredAmygdala yup. Really. It’s so horrifying!
I've sat here & binge watched a ton of your stories, but this one has been the cruelest, most disturbing one thus far.
Exactly the same for me.
100%
Even the ghosts and forest creatures aren't this cruel. They'll scare you for a few nights then let you go. This monster is one of the most evil people I've ever heard of. May he live a long life in solitary
That's the word. Cruelest
I just commented this exactly. Bone chilling
Yea ima need a break 😕
The fact that this man basically performed some of the worst atrocities you can to another living being, he's supposedly eligible for parole. But if a dog bites someone once for whatever reason, they have a chance of being sent to a kennel to be put down immediately.
Human ethic is broken.
Amen
This made me sad. Like seriously. Last month a dog was hanged cuz he was chasing the neighbours chickens. But a rapist is allowed to roam free. I don't even know what to say anymore to this.
Exactly man. And this person deserves no mercy and is beyond rehabilitation, I can only hope he's living in hell mentally in isolation but I have a feeling he doesn't care sadly. 20 years of joy might just be worth it to him and that remark about getting her pregnant over 10 times so no one can ever love her really makes me think he's still enjoying what he did. Thankfully the victim is very strong and didn't completely lose her mind, or her kids likewise
Glad they have a paid house and can enjoy themselves. I bet they have an unbreakable bond
Pedophiles and human rights abusers deserve death.
I appreciate that you always, or almost always have pictures/drawings of the actual people involved. This adds a lot to the credibility / realness of your stories.
I’m addicted to these videos..any chance we can get 7 uploads a week.....
Yes jake
Rite that’d be amazing !!!
That would be awesome
27 wouldnt be frowned on either
Hi jake
Also, can we just acknowledge how brave Elizabeth was for being able to tell them what had happened? Imagine how her kids feel, never having seen the sky or the grass, or cars, or just…anything. This man was the true definition of evil in human form.
True strength in that one.
Reminds me of the film Room
@@Martyn_Wolf I’ve never seen that
@@Stardust_7273 Essentially a mother and her son grow up in a shed due to be forced to stay that from what I can recall.
The mother tells her son about a world outside of the room. The man who keeps them there only gives them stuff at night when the boy is asleep.
@@Martyn_Wolf That’s really fucked up. Similar to this situation, yeah
Man it's always nice to know that prisoners beat those who have commited worse and far more heinous crimes.
right
Yeah. Those who abuse women and children in general are not the most liked in prison.
@@markey412 yeah true, I'm a good lad so never been locked up 😂but have mates who have and they say if you done anything like being a pervert or paedophile then they will kick your head in. They will make everyday for them hell
Maybe because those guys endured some kind of abuse when they were young. One of Whitey Bulger's enforcers, Kevin Weeks wrote in a book that he was molested as a child when he was taken away from his parents due to the deplorable conditions at their home, drugs, physical abuse etc.
Or one of their own children were abused...
It's generally because the inmates themselves have families and even though they're not the best people in the world, they respect their family. So when they find out someone assaulted a child, they see as "what if that was my kid" and that inmate will have the worst experience in prison out of everyone. I have a few friends that have been in jail so that's why I know this
I was born in 1998. A lot of these cases that you hear about they take place so long ago you regard it almost like ancient history, like its not applicable to today's world. I remember going to kindergarden in 2003. Its so surreal to know I was learning my ABCs & playing with other children - without a care in the world while Elizabeth was imprisoned, raising a Goddamned family in a box.
The thing is he abused his wife and children to the point that they submitted just to avoid his wrath. That made him feel powerful. Only Elizabeth was strong enough to challenge him. What he did to her was to break her and force her to submit. But even in the hellish situation she was forced to live, she was a survivor and so much stronger than he could ever be.
That’s what true strength looks like. It’s not always idealistic or even desirable, but it’s the ability to stay strong in the given circumstance. He was a power craving coward, among many terrible things.
Well stated.
Have you seen the documentary? Elizabeth was said to be a quiet girl. I don't think she was indifferent of that of the rest of the household in terms of standing up to this creep like you said because that wasn't mentioned anywhere... He just had a creepy perverted lust filled fantasy of her. It's true that she was so strong minded to have endured as she did for so long.
@@Vim-eo2zy I have only heard the story here. If that’s the case then I take back what I said, but from how this story was presented, it seemed she was brave enough to resent her father to his face. I’m not saying she had to be super vocally opposed, but she was able to stand up against him and that takes strength, especially if you are naturally shy or reserved.
Very well put.
Power- craving coward, as all abusers are! Right.
17:38 "In her 19 years of life, she had never been in the sun." I don't know why, but that was the moment that really did me in. I can't even begin to imagine what it would have been like to spend my entire childhood and teenage years never being outside. Not once. It's been hard enough dealing with staying home during the pandemic. It really put things into perspective for me. There is no possible punishment that would be sufficient enough for what this guy did.
In the 18th, and early 19th century, people with special needs were sometimes hidden in a similar fashion…
Agreed...while he's a not like a serial killer per se, in many ways, he's even more of a monster. They damn sure better not let him go free; he needs to die in prison.
Yes. Its turly the most horrible thing I've ever heard on this channel :(
he needs to be in solitary confinement with the minimal amount of food a human can live on. And he shouldn't be able to see the sun for the rest of his life!
I liked the part when he got his teeth knocked out
I can just imagine how good of a mother Elizabeth is. Those babies were quite literally her whole world and based off the story it seems she gave them everything she had to give.
Literally. Everything.
This is why I have to pause during selfish/first world problems and remember just how blessed I am. I’ve been through some stuff, but this is unfathomable.
Solitary confinement is like poetic justice.
That said, eligible for parole? Really?
@@mrst7787 Austrians aren't crazy anymore. This psycho will never be let loose.
I remember this story...it's still shocking even today. Yet again Mr. Ballen puts a different take on it. Well done again!👍
Can’t believe these people aren’t catching on. When someone is THAT messed up in the head, it doesn’t matter how nice they seem on the surface, they’re still crazy. Don’t give them parole. 89 or not.
Sentencing is not the same in European (most developed) judicial systems as in the American--the main purpose is to rehabilitate not punish, thus shorter nominal sentences. That being said, those who commit heinous acts generally are denied parole at those hearings, resultantly serving more time than initially sentenced.
I feel like he won't last 24 hours outside prison. He's well known where he is. Letting him out would be an instant death sentence.
@@SanguineMalcontent or getting out of a life sentence 2 years into prison... to then commit the same exact crime again.
execute them
As far as i know does he need to go into go into a psychiatrik facility for felons, so he won't see the outside ever again.
The government gave Elizabeth and her children a nice house and they are peacefully living their lives in anonymity now. God bless them all.
That's good to hear.
How do you know this
@@kingkai4957 I've known about this story for a while now and watched a documentary about it. Every recounting of the story says the same thing. The authorities were extremely careful in hiding Elizabeth and her children's identities from the media in order that they could live in peace.
Thanks for the info buddy! ... but I think this proves that no god exists
@@RedTobu Yes it's a truly awful story. There were periods when Josef went on vacation for weeks at a time and left little or no food for Elizabeth and the children and they almost starved to death.
Imagine not knowing what the sun feels like for 19 years of your life. This is beyond tragic.
That's the part that really struck me. I remember the absolute bliss I felt the first time I walked outside after being quarantined for a month. I feel like if I had stayed inside any longer I would have gone insane. And I'm an adult. I feel like it would be 10 times worse for a child.
Damien Echols can relate. He was in solitary confinement for 18 years, on Arkansas's death row, for a triple homicide he didn't commit. He and the two men he was originally tried with (they both received life in prison) were released in 2011. He's a popular TH-camr now. He was 18 when he was convicted; the other two were 16 and 17. Three boys just tossed to the wolves because some hillbilly cops didn't want to do their jobs.
@@welcome2myhappyworld Covid quarantine didn't mean you can't walk outside to your backyard lol... most people were hanging out in their backyards all the time
@@kingslayer011 that may be true for a lot of people, however, as someone who lives in an apartment complex in a crowded city, that wasn't really an option for me. I also had all my groceries delivered, so the most fresh air I got was opening a window (which is another thing these poor victims didn't have access to).
@@welcome2myhappyworld I was also in an apartment complex for a big part of the pandemic and I still would go outside on walks, to the beach (idk if you are near one but I am) and got some exercise that way.
Josef being stuck in solitary confinement is the best case of karma ever.
Not really considering he will be out on parole soon
@@Rachel2412able ugh!!!!!! Wtf
The fact that he made her put the door of her prison was an incredibly horrible detail... that’s one of the most horrific parts to me. She probably had that going through her head through every beating, every morning, everyday.
It seems very strategic to me. Like one of the ultimate ways to gain control and mess with her mind is by basically making her trap herself in her own prison. This is just so disturbing it’s insane
Complete betrayal
Exactly what I was thinking. It gave me chills
There are always two sides to the story. Joseph said "She loves the D and refused to leave my house and the rest of my family are lying becauae they're jealous".
God please don’t ever let this man get out of prison, I don’t care how old he is at the time! Disgusting.
Yet if he 'comes to Jesus' all is forgiven and h goes right to heaven... Yay God
@@jhauptmann9850 Actually, there is hell too for people like 'em.
@@March3rd1956 Only in your make-believe.
@@jhauptmann9850 what are you talking about?
@@RealFemto Hes talking about people finding god and forgiveness. His parole is coming up, and with that sort of attitude, there is a good chance he will pass. God forgives all, as long as you repent. So he is forgiven twice over if he finds jesus.
The freakiest part of this story to me. is the idea this could be happening right now to someone else. I hate stories like this.
Exactly that. Someone out there is being held captive and we can't help. I remember this story and not that long after someone in USA was caught who held captive two woman. Sick sick fucks. That film ROOM and the book possibly took this idea and how to live after.
its true and it should be. I mean like we heard a news once a week at least that someones get sexual abuse by its own family members.
Thousands of children go missing every year. Its believed a lot of them are locked in basements. Sadly there isn't more public demand to find them!
Things like these ARE happening right now, world-wide. And you'll most likely never hear about it. Trust me, there's things being done to people all over the world that makes Fritzl's crimes look tame and this is one of the most fucked up things I've ever heard about.
Not could. Actually is somewhere is more accurate I imagine. I know, it really sucks.
This is the best story Mr Ballen has ever done. If my dog acted that way I would have left within four days, not after four years. Real humans are more terrifying than any paranormal or alone in the forest experience!
It still amazes me how a monster like this can be entitled to parole. As a former Police Officer I thought I had seen and heard the worst of humankind, clearly I hadn’t until today.
It's a european thing. They'd never actually let him go.
@Toby Thompson Saying that on this channel doesn't make sense.
@@overclucker Why not?
Justice != vengeance
In Europe indefinite punishment, in my eyes, rightfully, is ruled an inhumane, cruel punishment. Therefore the offender must have the chance - which is mostly a mind thing - to regain their freedom at some point, if they qualify for it. Parole is no automatic thing. They have to apply for it and show that they changed enough to receive it. Otherwise they remain in prison. I am not sure about Austria, but in Germany there is a second level of safety here. It is called "Safety confinement". This is for people who have been punished, but are still considered dangerous and therefore cannot be set free. The comfort in these kind of prisons is a bit better, but still they remain in custody.
But still there are very long sentences - some prisoner remain in prison for many decades, I think the record is over 60 years.
In any case Fritzl will be thoroughly checked and considering the severy of his actions, his mental state and the duration of is crime, I doubt very much that he will be released - maybe if he is frail or so and thus not considered a danger any more.
I hope wherever or whoever Elizabeth is now, she knows what a strong, amazing woman she is. Not many could have survived in that environment.
There is a UK paper that says she is dating her bodyguard and working on a normal life.
@@vagabondverses2404 that is very heart warming
what a fucking superhuman. macabre to say but i would’ve ended myself pretty quickly.
🙏❤ same here
Vagabond Verses what’s the name of the paper.
I hope that if one day Elizabeth finds this video she sees these comments. I've never seen a comment section pour so much kindness and respect into one person. Elizabeth is one of the strongest women in the world. I hope she knows all the wonderful love and support we all have for her and her children.
People should setup an online donation thing for them. They deserve it.
@@GeekRaj no one knows who they are or where they are.
As soon as I heard the man claim he had a grand daughter who was sick I remember a movie I’ve seen “The girl in the basement” or something like that. The real life events are so heartbreaking, respect and love goes out to Elizabeth and her bravery
That feature film is actually based on this case.
yea wats sad she was only 18 n most likely was in her 40s when rescued😢
I can't imagine the shock, horror and disgust the other children must have felt when they were informed that living below them was their actual mother and siblings. For their entire childhood while they were celebrating birthdays and holidays, underneath them a family was huddled together in a cramped sunless pit.
for 24 years no less😱😨
It sounds like the ones above stairs were also abused, just not as badly as the ones stuck in the basement.
@@emem2863 I was wondering if that might be the case as well. No one was left unscathed.
How in the HELL that dude eligible for parole?? I can’t imagine it being granted. I mean I understand those are his last years of life, but those really need to be spent behind bars with the threat of beatings, to the end of his days.
If you think about it, since he will be 89 when parole comes up, it’s almost ironic how the prison he created for his victims was recreated in a sense by his having to suffer in isolation. Then he will truly reap what he has sown if they actually do turn him loose. He would not survive on his own, and that would be the final twist in his well-deserved fate.
@Nero Wynn I’m not sure segregation is the right word but I completely agree with you!
#FACTS
He will never get out.
Even if he does get out, he won't have prison guards to protect him, so he most likely won't last very long as a free man.
I know that prisoners can be very shady individuals but honestly props to them for knocking Josef's teeth out. Let him be afraid of them like how his daughter was afraid.
I wish they would have done more to him than just knock his teeth out, but still kept him alive so he can suffer.
Because they happen to beat someone you don't like? What heroes...
@@Cheepchipsable I never called them heroes, grow some brain cells and read my comment. Also by what Josef did to his daughter, none of us should like him. Put down the computer and grow up.
Tbh, it's pretty common for prisoners to beat the shit out of pedophiles, child molesters and people who abuse their children.
@@memememe8569 and not a day goes by where I don't feel joy in knowing that
Sadly , I know a woman who was abused and held captive by her father. He didn't keep her chained up, but she was controlled by him to an unreasonable extent. She was the middle child of 3 - older sister, younger brother. Her entire life she was abused, beaten, assaulted, raped, tortured and eventually, impregnated.
At 15 she had to get an illegal abortion as he wouldn't let her get proper medical care. The damage that did to her meant she could never have children again, even if she wanted to. Every time she ran away from home he'd track her down & bring her back. She tried telling her mother, but she refused to believe it. When she was 18yo some friends helped her escape and hid her away. Nothing was kept in her name, no car, no lease, no bank accounts, nothing, so he couldn't track her down. She never went to the police because she was afraid she wouldn't be believed, and because she didn't want to sit in a courtroom with him and retell everything to strangers.
He has since passed away. He had alzheimers and emphysema so his passing was long, drawn-out & painful. I'm glad.
She is an amazingly strong woman who is now 58yo and one of the best people I know. Incredibly mentally stable considering what she went through
I wonder if we know the same girl. Her initials are MR. R is maiden name.
@jacquelineelliott144 no, not her. So sad it's happening too often
It's scary that if Joseph never took Elizabeth's daughter to the hospital, his crimes would likely remain hidden.
Dude.....
He might then molest his own children/grandchildren and have more. Then, what if he died and there would be no one to go in the basement and give them food?
My father always said, "There's worse things then death" So frigging true!
Exactly, that's why I don't understand why she would be afraid of his threat of gassing them all. She had nothing to lose by having them all gang up on him and attack him. They were better off dead. So what if the attack didn't work and he killed them.
@@bingonamo7520
Something worse than death would also be watching your kids die. Or flat out telling them to do something that will result in their death. You'd be a murderer at that point.
@@ki-kodevorne7318 Mercy killing to end their suffering. The whole lot of them were better off dead. What if they had never been rescued. You are not thinking of the reality of "living" like they were with daily abuse, incestuous rape and suffering. And the torture of knowing your mother lives upstairs and either doesn't know anything, or does but won't rescue you. So close to rescue and yet so far.
The fact that your father came back from the dead and told you about it is increadible :O
@@bingonamo7520 I think you might be wrong if she wanted to be mercy killed she would have done it, although they were suffering they had the will to survive and they did survive and now there out and living. she is a pretty cool person for not giving up
One of the things that saddens me the most about this case is that the children that were kept upstairs were told that their mother was a terrible woman who didnt care for them at all. They were manipulated into thinking that their mother was a villain, when in reality she was kept downstairs with their siblings and prevented from seeing them.
No you are wrong the saddest part about it was incest still exist.
What? Are u serious? That pales in comparison to what else happened.
@@JohnDoe-vy5hh i never said it was the worst thing that happened. Far from it. I just said that it makes me sad how those children were lied to about their mother.
@@emilyhemsworth77 The person said it was one of the things that saddens them the most. Not that it was the saddest part.
yeh when in reality she was actually this extremely loving and caring mother who took care and educated her children even when the situation was like hell
A former classmate of mine lived on the same street as Fritzl, he even visited her house once. He appeared to be a completely normal man, and nobody who knew him had the slightest suspicion.
I'm glad he's spending the rest of his life alone in solitary, just like he did to his kids.
Yeah I hear solitary is so much rougher than it even appears. Hardened criminals compare it to torture, so I am glad this guy will likely live out all his remaining years under this torture.
Unfortunately he's gonna be on parole in 2024
@@marvelismarvelous8987 eligible for parole, there is no way he will ever have that granted. at least its very very unlikely.
@@officialdabaws5228 lets just hope it stays that way
@@marvelismarvelous8987 oh it's hopefully someone building a torture dungeon right now awaiting his release date and will abduct him minutes after he walks off the bus or taxi on his day of freedom and then begins his payback
The scary thing is there are still parents out there like this undetected
I pray all of them get found out & get delt with . Such a heartbreaking story .
@@bobbymorris9513 if Praying did anything it wouldn't happen in the first place
I know.
@@bobbymorris9513 too true.
Put the guy back In general population and let human justice actually be served
The relationship between a father and daughter is so impactful, and influential...so to have THIS type of disgusting and atrocious dynamic is BEYOND EVIL. What an amazing and strong-willed woman Elizabeth turned out to be, in spited of having the deck stacked against her so unforgivably. I am in utter amazement, wow!
This whole story is insane Probably the most insane part is the reason why Elizabeth was sexually assaulted on a nightly basis.
Sweet lord...
Yes. That Elizabeth was able to remain hopeful and be a good mother to her kids speaks to how strong she must be. I hope her life now is peaceful and healing.
I might be afraid of the father too, not because of his power, but because of his wickedness
Oh man
I saw a documentary on this. They had a tenant renting one of their rooms, who had a dog. The dog used to growl in the evenings and when it was in the garden, with his ears pricked up, seemingly hearing something that no one else could hear.
Such a heartbreaking case. Elisabeth and her children deserve the world.
The tenant with the dog was evicted after he was caught in with the dog.
Yes, Elizabeth is an extremely strong woman. Most comments point to the fact that she survived in a basement 24 years and that she taught children how to read and write. What leaves me most awe struck is surviving being r-ped by her father every single day and birthing seven children ALONE... ALONE. no medical interventions, no prenatal care. Nothing. She delivered seven babies, seven placentas, cut seven umbilical cords, watched her newborn die in her arms and then be incinerated. She is strong beyond measure. It also makes me think about all the unnecessary medical interventions in pregnancy and child birth, that end up leading to on going issues. Soap box aside, she is a true warrior. I'd have given up many times over.
Totally agree. Even teaching her kids how to read and write. What an absolute hero
Im glad there's still people that can actually analyze things properly and write something this intelligent. And definitely, Elizabeth is beyond words and deserves happiness and peace infinitely.
As a nurse I just want to point out that all these unnecessary medical interventions have halved the neonatal mortality since the 90's, in the US alone. Not even talking about the earlier 20th century. Just from the 90's. Keep that in mind.
@@JennyShuttleworth lol
@@yautjamerk9159 agree with you on that
This is literally the most disgusting story I've ever heard, my stomach is turning. The fact that people are capable of this level of evil is insane!
Same here. Horrific.
Yeah, this one is haunting me.
I'm a guy that's been a fan of dark stories about serial killers, murder cases, etc for about 5 years. This story is the worst I've ever heard in my life. The thing that gets me is the fact that it's is her own father. She trusted him, she loved him, and he saw her as nothing more than a sex object. The horror of this story shocks me to this day.
Check out Fred west, Gloucester, England
She didn’t love him lol
With all due respect
You really spoiled it there didn't you
Where in this story did you find that she loved and trusted him? You remind me of Cheryl from the Poughkeepsie tapes.
@@whenwasthat Why would she not trust and love her own father before all of this happend?
I am from Austria. He is the most hated person. He lived a nice life in jail and get out this year to live in a retirement home. It all was in the newspapers. The biggest scandal ever.
Do you know which retirement home? (I'm from there as well)
It’s scary to think that there is a small possibility that this could currently be the case for other people that have gone missing and still haven’t been found
knowing how sick and twisted some people are deep down, it’s very likely and quite horrifying to think of
Jaycee Dugard comes to mind
@@neophantomm unfortunate
You're right. But after this story, the police should check the whole house of the parents thoroughly.
or some who were never even documented, born into an awful place like this
This is actually so horrifying especially her having to give birth alone 6 times. I can’t imagine the pain and fear.
Yeah as a new mom that’s one of the worst details. I felt so sick thinking of how she went through all that, and in such a cramped awful space...
The entire thing makes me sick to my stomach. She's so strong! I can't even imagine! I had to have an emergency C-section and and then the rest had to be C-section because my body wouldn't allow me to dilate. My kids and myself would have died if not..think if something had gone horribly wrong during birth! I'm so happy they got found finally and are safe and well now! Praying for them!
beyond human comprehension !
@Truth is here she’s not a man 🥰
right? my jaw physically dropped when i heard him describe that. this incredible girl endured so much and i’m so relieved after everything she’s somewhat okay.
"prison officials are worried that if they leave him in general population, he'll be killed." do it.
Slowly! V E R Y S L O W L Y!!!!
They don't want him to be killed is because they want him to SUFFER
No death is better than solitary confinement I say let him live and let him suffer
My thoughts EXACTLY.
@@jpierreareli8282 yeah but if he gets granted parole I say the prison officials should “accidentally” leave him in general population in his last day there.
Im currently 23 , the fact that that poor women and her children were trapped down there at the mercy of that thing for a year longer than I've been alive is hard for me to try and wrap my head around.
I'm glad that they are living all reunited now
Apparently at one point he went on holiday to Thailand for 2 weeks, leaving Elizabeth and the kids in the prison, in the dark, during a hot summer, bad air circulation... it's hard to understand how anyone could be so cruel.
Imagine if he died.
Can't stop thinking What would happen to Elizabeth and her kids if he died.
The saddest part about it is that these were probably some of the only few nights Elizabeth wasn't getting raped.
@@Rayd1214 you still can't because you know that secret lock, and then there's the keypad lock, the maze. 0.0001% chance of someone finding them
@@shabys6530 There’s actually an interview a reporter did with Josef Fritzl and one of the questions were something like ‘it’s always been a question & everyone wants to know, what would have happened if you passed away or died in an accident’ he responds with something like: he greatly prepared for it and that he thought something like that could happen so the steel door or doors had a timer and would automatically open after a certain period of time, letting Elisabeth and the children out’
I assume he could control the timer and set it for anytime, so whilst he was in Thailand, he would have set it for months maybe (in case something happened) as he put in extra food & supplies whilst he was away
I don’t know if he is telling the truth, there’s no coverage of the Austrian authorities confirming it.
But who knows.
Glad to hear that Elizabeth and her family were given new identities. They deserve to be able to live a deal with this trauma at their own pace rather than having the media harrass them for interviews.
I agree the media will and have caused alot of people so much more added stress trying to make a buck that they forget basic human decency.
@PainPillzPittBullz&Pistolz most people aren't like that. Chill bro
@@HoloScope why would you even answer a comment made by someone with such an obviously low IQ?
@PainPillzPittBullz&Pistolz what did u mean?
@PainPillzPittBullz&Pistolz No I don't say anything like that nor do I think that and nor do I treat my women badly.
There was no privacy.. the kids would have had to see or hear him assaulting her.. I feel sick.
And to make it worse he forced her to watch pornography and act out the video in front of the kids
@@vegtaku2306 I’m either gonna throw up or kill someone. That’s horrifying.
@@chrisd322 truly fucked. Makes you wonder tf is really wrong w people
@@vegtaku2306 are you making that up, or is that actual documented evidence?
@@R0gueM he prob made that up it doesnt say anywhere that it happened
This is extremely disturbing, how could no one else ever wander in the basement and discover any of this. That dude is beyond sick.
The fact that the authorities brought her back the first time she ran away makes me sick, especially when they knew she ran away because her father was horribly abusive.
I always wonder if cops feel bad when they find out how wrong they were about a situation.
@@cdes1776there are good and bad cops out there. So some do care and some don't care.
@@cdes1776from my experience 99% don’t.
@@cdes1776 I always assume that if they were capable of feeling bad about a wrong decision like that they would likely realize before hand they don't want that responsibility (risk of destroying innocent lives), and therefore opt for any job other than being a pig A.C.A.B. ✌️
Another thing is HOW in the world does a woman / her mother ( and I mean the wife of this monster), not only gave this abusive monster children, but continued to stay with him while he was that abusive!!!
That Joseph guy SHOULD be left in general population, they should let him get what's coming to him and let the other prisoners do to him what he did to his daughter.
It should only be moderated in the sense that a quick death is just too lenient for a monster like that.
I'm thinking at least 24 years
I don’t think you understand what happens when you’re moved from general to special. I don’t agree at all with the American sentiment of dealing with criminals no matter the offense, but I think you’ll be satisfied to know that it isn’t rainbows and puppies in special. It’s probably a worse fate than what he would face in general.
But the (let’s say assaulting he would enjoy way to much) but the rest for sure
Chain the monster to a wall and yell "FRESH MEAT, BOYS!" And watch them.
I hope they make him drop the soaps 🧼
Haha Joseph got several teeth knocked out I smiled
Me to
With a toothier grin than he can muster these days!
@Lord Frieza Oh? I'd be curious for more details, the "this guy deserves to suffer more" feeling needs to know more about this.
I'm not generally a vengeful person but when someone puts another individual, let alone their own family, through something like this it just completely bypasses that.
Me tooo
@Lord Frieza Thanks for the info =)
I really hope Elizabeth and her children have found happiness and true love x
The prison feared for his well-being? W T F? He's out in 3 years. Pop him back into general a week before he's released.
Naw, they'll kill him. That's too good for him.. Let him catch his breath outside the gate, and then kidnap him and torture him for the rest of his miserable life.
Agreed.
He should endure what his daughter felt by 600x and going through torture like those saw movies, believe me if he gets released population will know about this sicko
@@westmics1953 Calm down, I mean yeah hes a monster but saw might be a little far
@@kown2259 well the fact that he done it to his own immediate family and for over 20 years I think that probably would be deemed as even more monstrous than the movie saw 👀
I got to say, mom of the year award goes to that girl. She Loved her children despite the circumstances and did everything she could to teach them what she could and give them all the love she possibly could have.
make that mom of at least the century
but but Caitlyn Jenner is so brave....
And some people have the audacity to hate their kids despite planning to have them
@Paul Jansen Lol
“He’ll be eligible for parole in 2024.”
How bout no.
Edit: Well, here we are.
He apparently has very bad dementia and is pretty determined to die so I don't think he will make it to parole
@@gillettepr and even when he does, they wont let him free and even if they would, he wouldn't be able to do anything sinister anymore. But shouldn't given proper elderly care either. I hope he suffers
He'd be much safer in the joint. Go ahead and let him out though please.
I think in Europe the pendulum has swung too far… I’m usually all for rehabilitating people but for what this man did to his daughter and her children I don’t think he deserves to ever be paroled.
@@vinnyfred4020
They won’t give him parole without doubt. Oh the evils of men (mankind)
The movie girl in the basement was so good and the actress was amazing, I’ve watched it several times and I cry hysterically when she hugs the nurse at the hospital in such relief that she never has to go back downstairs
He should never be paroled. He should remain in solitary confinement for the rest of his life, that would be the only justice for what he did to his daughter.
I don't believe in cruel and unusual punishment... but this guy gives me pause.
I can't believe he will be eligible so soon
Incorrect the only justice would be to keep him in general population so he could be tormented and tortured by someone bigger and stronger like he did to his daughter. THATS JUSTICE
Knowing austrian law i am sure he will never walk free in public ever again..
After he did his time in prison he will still be in some sort of safe-keeping for psychologicaly ill people and never be allowed to be alone public anymore.
And have him be visited by a new inmate every night; What they do with him is their business.
This story is so insane. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear it I am still shocked at how evil this man is. This was his own daughter!!! I am so glad they got free from the torture chamber and were given new identities. I surely hope he doesn’t get paroled in 2024 or ever for that matter!!
When I heard he'd be eligible for parole in 3 years?? Made me feel sick
he may be eligible for parole but theirs a 0% chance they will let him free
@@sephiroth22579 Still would rather him be behind bars
@@sephiroth22579 oh yes there is, it is europe
@Haytham Abdinur Haha, we can only hope
There's no way Elizabeth was able to completely recover and build a normal life. This must have scarred her forever. :(
Just fucked 😔
..yeah, scared and destroyed...she didn't even have the chance to learn what "normal" is..
Well duh...
Maybe. It is quite possible that she kept the faith that something would happen to get her free. I believe that there is something unexplainable inside humans that keeps them moving forward despite disasters and tragedy. If there wasn't, none of us would be here today.
she is so strong. i cant imagine going thru all those disgusting things for 24 years.