One of the iconic figures in Vienna’s criminal history was master tailor Ferdinand Wurzinger, whose extravagant lifestyle proved to be his undoing. Ferdinand Wurzinger came from a middle-class background. His parents had decided at an early stage that Ferdinand should learn the respectable trade of tailoring. But he had quite different plans, as he wanted to become a tightrope walker or an actor, which was not considered proper for someone of his station. After several arguments with his parents, he yielded to their will and completed an apprenticeship as a tailor. He was skilled in his craft. His tailor’s workshop flourished, as did his trade in fancy dress costumes. He regularly placed advertisements in the ‘Wiener Zeitung’ to attract new customers. They literally flocked to his shop. However, Ferdinand began to devote himself more and more to his numerous affairs than to the tailoring trade, which led to him accumulating a huge mountain of debt. To get rid of it, he hatched a daring plan. Ferdinand lived not far from the Mettlers. Mr Mettler was a minor court official who enjoyed a happy marriage. Believing the couple to be wealthy, Ferdinand lured his wife into a trap. He arranged a meeting at which a man made advances towards her. Ferdinand then blackmailed Mrs Mettler over the alleged tryst. Out of fear, the innocent Mrs Mettler paid up. First 10 guilders, then 50 guilders, until she finally confessed everything to her husband, who was able to corner Ferdinand in Jägerzeile during the next handover of money. Ferdinand promised Mrs Mettler two Parisian dresses so that she would not report him. The couple agreed to the deal. Yet Ferdinand was still plagued by his financial worries. He was heavily in debt to Brigitte Hollmann and the 72-year-old cook Theresia Dörfler, who both worked for a 91-year-old man whom Ferdinand intended to rob. He invited Brigitte Hollmann to the masked ball on 26 December 1817. Under the pretext of having forgotten something, he left the ball to go to her employer’s house. Theresia Dörfler opened the door for him. He accompanied her to her room for a chat, where he beat her unconscious with his fists and gagged her by stuffing a scarf into her mouth. He then stole 95 gulden from her before going into the old man’s room and making off with 2,465 gulden and 56 kreuzer right in front of him. He then fled. When Brigitte Hollmann returned home the following morning, she discovered Theresia Dörfler’s body and immediately alerted the police. They quickly tracked down Ferdinand Wurzinger, in whose house the loot from the burglary was found. On 6 February 1817, he was hanged at the age of 25.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
