Who is Armin Meiwes? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

German Celebrities Born In December

Age: 62 Years, 62 Year Old Males

Family:

father: Detlef Meiwes

mother: Waltraud Meiwes

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1

What is the background of Armin Meiwes's infamous case?

Armin Meiwes gained notoriety for the "Rotenburg Cannibal" case in 2001, where he killed and consumed a voluntary victim he found online.
2

What psychological profile is associated with Armin Meiwes?

Armin Meiwes's case raised discussions about cannibalism, paraphilia, and extreme forms of fetishism within the realm of forensic psychology.
3

What was the legal aftermath of Armin Meiwes's actions?

Armin Meiwes was convicted of manslaughter in 2004, and sentenced to life imprisonment, marking a significant case in German criminal history.
4

How did Armin Meiwes's case impact the discussion on internet safety and regulation?

Armin Meiwes's case highlighted the dangers of using the internet to facilitate extreme behaviors and sparked debates on the need for online monitoring and regulations.
5

What are the ethical considerations surrounding the Armin Meiwes case?

The Armin Meiwes case raised ethical dilemmas regarding consent, mental health, and the boundaries of personal autonomy, prompting discussions within the fields of ethics and law.

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Childhood & Early Life

Armin Meiwes was born on December 1, 1961, in Essen, Germany. He had a lonely childhood. When Meiwes was 8 years old, his father abandoned the family. He was raised by his mother, who had a domineering personality. Meiwes grew up to be an introvert who longed to have friends.

As a child, Meiwes read the story of ‘Hansel and Gretel.’ The cannibalistic witch in the story fascinated him. In his early days, he created an imaginary brother named “Frank” to vent his thoughts. In his adolescent years, Meiwes fantasized about eating his friends so that they would always be a part of him. His mother was unaware of these tendencies. She never let him lead the life he wished for.

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Career & Personal Life

As a youngster, Armin Meiwes lived with his mother at their family mansion. He worked with the army for a while but continued to stay with his mother. Later, he began working as a computer technician. Due to the tyrannical nature of his mother, Meiwes was never able to make friends. He turned to the internet to find solace. He was attracted to sites that promoted pornography and cannibalism. Meiwes had a bisexual tendency. He had gay relations with many of his army colleagues. He made frequent visits to prostitutes, too.

The cannibalistic tendencies in Armin Meiwes began to take a concrete shape in 1999, after the death of his mother. A year after his mother’s death, he posted an advertisement in a chat room, looking for well-built men who were willing to be slaughtered and consumed. He used the pseudonym “Franky” for the post.

Though many people replied to the post, all of them developed cold feet later. Meiwes did not force them or made them do anything against their will. Bernd Jurgen Armando Brandes, an engineer from Berlin, answered the advertisement. Emails were exchanged between the men. Brandes, too, had had an unhappy childhood. He was bisexual, too. They met at Meiwes’s house at the appointed date and time and carried out the plan.

On March 9, 2001, Brandes met Meiwes at his mansion. Meiwes and Brandes captured the whole incident on video. Meiwes amputated Brandes’s penis, and both men tried to eat it together. However, Brandes failed in the attempt. Before the act, Brandes had consumed 20 sleeping pills and a bottle of cough syrup, which slowed down his breathing.

As Brandes lay bleeding and drifting in and out of consciousness, Meiwes gave him a bath and prayed for him. He then killed Brandes by stabbing him in the throat. He committed the act for sexual pleasure. Later, the body was hung on a meat hook. Meiwes cut the body parts and stored them in his freezer. Over the next 10 months, he consumed most of it, while the outside world remained unaware of the heinous crime.

In December 2002, Armin Meiwes posted a new advertisement inviting victims for slaughter. This was noticed by a student, who alerted the authorities. Investigators searched his house and found the videotape and severed body parts. Meiwes was arrested and convicted of manslaughter. On 30 January 2004, he was sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. After his arrest, Armin Meiwes admitted his guilt and expressed regret for his actions. He expressed the desire to write a biography in order to discourage anyone who wanted to follow in his footsteps.

In 2005, a German court ordered a retrial of the case, arguing that Meiwes should be convicted of murder, as the motive behind the crime was sexual gratification. During the retrial, a psychologist stated that Meiwes could be dangerous, as he still dreamed of devouring the flesh of young people. In May 2006, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Facts About Armin Meiwes

Armin Meiwes, also known as the "Rotenburg Cannibal," gained worldwide attention for his involvement in a consensual cannibalism case.

Before his arrest, Meiwes worked as a computer repair technician and was described by neighbors as a quiet and unassuming individual.

Meiwes claimed that his desire to consume human flesh stemmed from a deep-seated psychological condition rather than a malicious intent.

Despite the disturbing nature of his crime, Meiwes has expressed remorse for his actions and has sought therapy to address his underlying issues.

The case of Armin Meiwes has sparked debates about the boundaries of consent and the complexities of mental health in criminal cases.

Armin Meiwes Biography

You wanted to know

What is the background of Armin Meiwes's infamous case?

What psychological profile is associated with Armin Meiwes?

What was the legal aftermath of Armin Meiwes's actions?

How did Armin Meiwes's case impact the discussion on internet safety and regulation?

What are the ethical considerations surrounding the Armin Meiwes case?