The true partners in crime, who murdered six people in Greece within a matter of days in order to enrich themselves, were the two 31-year-old Germans Hermann Duft and Hans Wilhelm Bassenauer, who had been best mates since their school days. The two had known each other since their school days. Although Hermann Duft was a locksmith and Hans Wilhelm Bassenauer worked as a plumber, both had a history of committing robberies and other criminal offences from an early age, which is why they had previous convictions. At the beginning of 1969, they decided to drive to Greece, where they arrived on 17 February. Shortly after their arrival, on 5 March, they raided a petrol station near the Greek city of Thebes. In the process, they killed the night watchman as well as a soldier who happened to be there – simply the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Barely a week later, on 13 March, they murdered a Greek-American stockbroker in Voula. Almost three weeks passed before they killed a taxi driver on 7 April and, just two days later on 9 April, a petrol station attendant not far from Athens. Their final victim was a Greek man whom they murdered on 12 April whilst travelling from Athens to Patras. They then drove back to Athens in his car. The Greek police were initially completely in the dark as to who had committed the ruthless murders, in which the killers had made off with the equivalent of 5,000 marks. But then, on 16 April, they received a crucial tip-off from a woman who had discovered bloodstains in a car with German number plates that had not been moved for several days. The car led the police to the two Germans, who were arrested shortly afterwards as they attempted to retrieve their car. Hermann Duft and Hans Wilhelm Bassenauer were tried shortly afterwards at the Court of Appeal, where they were found guilty and sentenced to death. Although they lodged an appeal, this was rejected by the Supreme Court of Cassation, as was their application to the Pardon Board to have their death sentence commuted to life imprisonment. That same year, on 15 December 1969, the serial killer duo, who had six people to their name, were executed by firing squad. Whilst Hans Wilhelm Bassenauer was shot on the Greek island of Corfu, his best friend was shot dead on the Greek island of Aegina. Thus ended the lives of the two serial killers.
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)
