A reserved computer technician from the small town of Rotenburg in north-west Germany appeared to be a harmless neighbour, ready to assist anyone whenever possible.
Armin Meiwes was content to mow people's lawns, repair their vehicles and even organise dinners. Yet one particular meal would leave a disturbing impression on the public after it emerged the then-42-year-old was actually a sadistic cannibal behind closed doors.
He harboured sinister fantasies that had plagued him since childhood, ones that involved devouring another human being as a means of achieving intimacy and control. During the late 1990s, Meiwes turned to the internet to locate like-minded individuals, and eventually, in 2001, he encountered Bernd Brandes.
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One evening in March of that year, they made their way to Meiwes' farmhouse bedroom. Bernd consumed 20 sleeping pills and half a bottle of schnapps before Meiwes performed his horrific act of severing Brandes' penis with his consent and cooking it to share a gruesome meal.
By this point, Brandes was losing blood rapidly. He then soaked in a bath whilst Meiwes calmly read a Star Trek novel.
In the early hours, Meiwes finally ended his victim's life by plunging a large kitchen knife into his neck, reportedly kissing him beforehand.
He subsequently dismembered Bernd, storing portions in his freezer alongside a takeaway pizza, and buried his skull in the garden. Over the following ten months, Meiwes defrosted and cooked parts of Bernd's body in olive oil and garlic, consuming a staggering 20kg of human flesh before police finally came knocking.
Source: Daily Express :: World Feed
