E38: Elisabeth Fritzl / Josef Fritzl Part 1

Elisabeth Fritzl is an Austrian woman who was imprisoned by her father, Josef Fritzl, in the family’s cellar. At the age of 18, she was lured into the cellar, a place typically off limits for the rest of the family, beginning almost 24 years of captivity and horrific abuse from her own father. 

Become part of the Corrupt Crew! In addition to our appreciation, we’ll also mention you in a future episode! 

• patreon.com/CorruptPodcast 


• https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ABXKFYMSYLY5Y 

Don't miss out on new Corrupt content! Follow us at:

• Website: https://corruptpod.podbean.com/


• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corrupt.podcast/ 


• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568193395303 


• Threads: https://www.threads.net/@corrupt.podcast 


• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CorruptPod 

Send case suggestions and feedback to: [email protected] 

Sources for this episode: 

• Connolly, Kate. “Rosemarie Fritzl Visits Husband’s Dungeon | Josef Fritzl | The Guardian.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 16 June 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/jun/16/germany. 


• Davies, Caroline. “‘My Father Chose Me for Himself’ | Josef Fritzl | The Guardian.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 4 May 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/may/04/austria.internationalcrime1.


• England, Charlotte. “Josef Fritzl’s House Sold to Strip Club Boss | The Independent | The Independent.” The Independent, The Independent, 20 Dec. 2016, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/josef-fritzl-s-house-sold-to-strip-club-boss-austria-amstetten-bar-josefine-a7459681.html.


• Fraga, Kaleena. “Monika Fritzl, The Fourth Child Of Elisabeth And Josef Fritzl.” All That’s Interesting, All That’s Interesting, 27 Feb. 2025, https://allthatsinteresting.com/monika-fritzl.


• “Key Facts about Josef Fritzl – The Irish Times.” The Irish Times, The Irish Times, 19 Mar. 2009, https://www.irishtimes.com/news/key-facts-about-josef-fritzl-1.837813.


• Marsh, Stefanie, and Bojan Pancevski. I’m No Monster. Penguin, 2009.


• Morris-Grant, Brianna. “Lawyer Says Josef Fritzl, Austrian Father Who Imprisoned His Daughter for 24 Years, Could Be Granted Conditional Release Due to Dementia - ABC News.” ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), ABC News, 17 Jan. 2024, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-17/josef-fritzl-parole-dementia-report/103325400.


• News. “Austrian Father Told Captives He’d Gas Them.” NBC News, NBC News, 1 May 2008, https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna24404778.


• Pidd, Helen. “Timeline: Fritzl Cellar Case | Josef Fritzl | The Guardian.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 18 Mar. 2009, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/mar/16/josef-fritzl-cellar-case-timeline.


• Sager, Jessica. “Elisabeth Fritzl’s Dad Trapped Her in a Basement for 24 Years. Inside the Horrifying Case.” People.Com, PEOPLE, 1 Mar. 2025, https://people.com/where-is-elisabeth-fritzl-now-11686985.


• Siddique, Haroon, and Rachel Stevenson. “Josef Fritzl: The Unanswered Questions | Josef Fritzl | The Guardian.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 30 Apr. 2008, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/apr/30/austria.internationalcrime3.


• “Vienna, Austria Metro Area Population (1950-2025).” MacroTrends, https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/20107/vienna/population#google_vignette. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.