The Rotenburg Cannibal

Armin Meiwes, known as the Rotenburg Cannibal, claimed that his fascination with cannibalism began during his adolescent years, sparked by the fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel.”

As a tech-savvy individual, Meiwes discovered online communities where people shared their fantasies about cannibalism and even their desire to be eaten. In March 2001, he posted an ad on the “Cannibal Cafe” forum, seeking a willing volunteer aged 18 to 25 to be slaughtered and consumed.

Bernd-Jurgen Armando Brandes, a 43-year-old microelectronics engineer from Berlin, responded to Meiwes’ ad, agreeing to be slaughtered and consumed. On March 9th, 2001, Brandes traveled to Meiwes’ home, where they videotaped the event to prove consent.

The gruesome act began with Brandes taking sleeping pills and cough syrup, followed by Meiwes cutting off Brandes’ penis, which they both attempted to eat but found too tough. Meiwes then fried some of Brandes’ body fat with seasonings, but overcooked the penis, ultimately feeding it to his dog.

As Brandes grew weak from blood loss, Meiwes ran a bath for him and checked on him periodically while reading a Star Trek book.

After a few hours, Meiwes stabbed Brandes in the throat, killing him. He then hung the body from a meat hook, beheaded and dismembered it, storing parts in his freezer and burying the head in his garden. Over the next 10 months, Meiwes consumed an estimated 44 pounds of Brandes’ flesh.

In July 2001, Meiwes attempted to lure another victim through online chat rooms. Although he met with five men, he did not kill them, presumably because they did not consent. A college student who had conversed with Meiwes, disturbed by their discussions, reported him to the authorities.

Police discovered human remains in Meiwes’ freezer and the incriminating four-hour video recording. When questioned, Meiwes admitted to consuming his victim with a bottle of South African red wine, using his best cutlery, and decorating the dinner table with candles.

He described the taste as similar to pork. The case of Armin Meiwes remains one of the most shocking and disturbing instances of consensual cannibalism in modern history.