This Woman Had Something Very Strange in Her Attic

Summary

This gripping true-crime story unravels the bizarre murder of Fred Oostericke, whose wife Dolly and her lover Otto Sanhuber had a secret, unthinkable arrangement. Otto had been hiding in Fred and Dolly's attic for nearly a decade, unbeknownst to Fred. When a violent confrontation occurred, Otto killed Fred in an apparent robbery gone wrong, but the truth was far stranger. The case was shrouded in mystery for years until it was eventually exposed, leading to Otto’s conviction for manslaughter and Dolly's escape without punishment. The shocking nature of the crime captivated the public, and the tale remains a curious piece of history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fred and Dolly Oosterike's marriage was filled with tension and dysfunction, leading to Fred's eventual murder in 1922.
• 😀 Dolly claimed an intruder killed Fred, but her story was filled with inconsistencies and raised suspicions among the police.
• 😀 Despite initial evidence pointing to Dolly as the murderer, the police couldn't explain how she ended up locked in a wardrobe if she had committed the crime.
• 😀 Fred's growing paranoia, linked to his mental health, may have contributed to the strained relationship with Dolly and eventual tragedy.
• 😀 The story is made even more bizarre by the fact that Fred had been unknowingly living with his wife's lover, Otto Sanhuber, in the attic for years.
• 😀 Otto had secretly lived in the attic of the Oosterike home since 1913, performing household duties while hiding from Fred.
• 😀 After Fred's death, Otto and Dolly concocted a story about a robbery gone wrong, including a stolen diamond watch, to cover their tracks.
• 😀 The police were initially puzzled by the case, but Fred's recognition of Otto, the intruder, led to further investigations and suspicions of foul play.
• 😀 Dolly's affair with Otto and her plan to keep him hidden for nearly a decade ultimately led to the discovery of the murder plot and Otto's involvement.
• 😀 Otto Sanhuber's secret life as a housekeeper and lover was only exposed when Dolly's new boyfriend, Hermann Shapiro, found him in the attic and learned the truth.
• 😀 After a long investigation, Otto and Dolly were arrested, though Otto was convicted of manslaughter, and Dolly was never convicted of the crime, despite the overwhelming evidence.

Q & A

What was the initial reason the police were called to the Oosteric house?

The police were called to the Oosteric house because neighbors reported hearing gunshots and the wife, Dolly, was screaming hysterically.

What did Dolly claim happened during the home invasion?

Dolly claimed that an armed stranger broke into the house, demanding valuables, and when Fred refused to comply, the intruder shot him three times at close range before locking Dolly in the wardrobe.

What was unusual about the weapon used in the murder?

The weapon used in Fred's murder was a .25 caliber pistol, which was considered a ladies' firearm, not the kind typically used by armed robbers.

What did the police initially suspect about Dolly's involvement in Fred's murder?

The police suspected that Dolly might have been involved in Fred's murder because of their volatile relationship, the unusual weapon used, and the fact that there were no other suspects.

What was the major contradiction in Dolly's story that puzzled the police?

The major contradiction was that if Dolly had killed Fred, how could she have ended up locked in the wardrobe? This puzzle made the police question her involvement.

What was Fred's condition leading up to his murder?

Fred had been suffering from paranoia and forgetfulness, believing he was losing his mind, and had been diagnosed with stress-related issues by a doctor. His symptoms continued even after moving to Los Angeles.

How did Dolly and Otto Sanhuber's affair begin?

Dolly and Otto's affair began when Dolly invited Otto to fix a sewing machine, and she dressed provocatively to get his attention. Otto worked in Fred's factory before the affair started.

How did Otto Sanhuber end up living in Fred and Dolly's house?

Dolly invited Otto to move into their attic under the pretense of him fixing the sewing machine whenever necessary. Otto gave up his job and home to live in secrecy in the attic for nearly a decade.

What did Otto do after Fred's murder?

After Fred was killed, Otto and Dolly quickly concocted the story that an intruder had killed Fred, with Otto taking Fred's diamond watch to make the robbery appear legitimate. Otto also locked Dolly in the wardrobe to give her an alibi.

How did the truth about Otto and Dolly's involvement in Fred's murder eventually come to light?

The truth came out when Hermann Shapiro, Dolly's new boyfriend, discovered Otto living in the attic and later revealed everything he knew about the affair, the murder, and Otto's role. This led to Otto and Dolly's arrest.

What happened to Otto and Dolly after their trials?

Otto was convicted of manslaughter and walked free because the statute of limitations had run out. Dolly's trial ended with a hung jury, and she never faced a conviction for her role in the murder. Both faded from the public eye afterward.