They called Zdislaw Marchwicki the Vampire of Katowice for the wave of terror he and his brother Hendryck spread through the Silesian city, raping, sexually mutilating and murdering as many as 26 women. Their crimes were spread over six years from 1964 to 1970, and many of their victims died after Zdislaw beat them with a steel whip.
They both pleaded not guilty at their year-long trial which began in September 1977. But when they were both convicted Zdislaw decided to admit to 20 murders there may be six more, he added but claimed he was insane. For his part, Hendryck claimed a lesser role in all the crimes.
They were both found guilty of 14 of the murders and hanged together at Katowice Central Prison on Tuesday, May 3rd, 1977.