Ash brings us the story of Dolly Oesterreich and the murder of her husband Fred. When Fred was murdered late one summer night in the couple's home the police wondered if this was a burglary gone wrong. But they would soon learn they had always been closer to catching the killer than they realized. This is a tale of scorned lovers, deception, and lies but ultimately justice prevails.

Thank you to David White for research assistance.

References

Associated Press. 1930. "Sanhuber's Latest Story Under Fire." Evening Star, June 26: C3.

—. 1930. "Attic Woman's Trial Nears End." Los Aangeles Times, August 20.

Berkeley Daily Gazette. 1930. "Must Face Trial Together." Berkeley Daily Gazette, April 30: 18.

Boston Globe. 1930. "Brother of Victim Plans Will Contest." Boston Globe, April 13: A19.

Daily Boston Globe. 1930. "Hopelessly Deadlocked Oesterreich Jury Reports." Daily Boston Globe, August 25: 12.

—. 1930. "Widow of Victim Silent on Murder." Daily Boston Globe, April 11: 34.

L.A. Public Library. 1930. Otto in court. Photograph and caption. Los Angeles, California, June.

Lardinois, Anna. 2021. The Legend of Milwaukee’s Most Infamous Love Triangle. April 13. Accessed November 3, 2022. https://www.milwaukeemag.com/the-legend-of-milwaukees-most-infamous-love-triangle/.

Los Angeles Times. 1922. "Police Question Harry Vose." Los Angeles Times, August 28: 15.

—. 1922. "Trap Ser for Man's Killers." Los Angeles Times, August 25: 21.

Milwaukee Sentinel. 1930. "Bare Oesterreich Fire Plot." Milwaukee Sentinel, April 11: 1.

New York Times. 1961. "'Batman' Figure Dies." New York Times, April 15: 10.

—. 1930. "Indicts Widow in Murder." New York Times, April 18: 7.

Nugent, Addison. 2016. The Married Woman Who Kept Her Lover in the Attic. June 7. Accessed November 3, 2022. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-married-woman-who-kept-her-lover-in-the-attic.

Oxnard Daily Courier. 1930. "Oxnard Daily Courier." Must Face Trials Together, April 30: 1.

Rasmussen, Cecilia. 1995. "‘Bat Man’ Case: a Lurid Tale of Love and Death." Los Angeles Times, March 20.

2017. A Crime to Remember. Directed by Lisa Robinson. Produced by Christopher Dillon.

San Jose News. 1930. "Says Attorney Coached Him in Confession." San Jose News, June 24: 48.

San Pedro News Pilot. 1930. "Attic Lover is Found Guilty." San Pedro News Pilot, July 2.

The Daily Californian. 1923. "Trial Continued." The Daily Californian, October 24: 7.

United Press. 1930. "Third Person May Face Death Trial." Berkeley Daily Gazette, April 18: 21.

—. 1923. "To Attack Testimony." The Eveneing News, July 28: 1.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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