Josef Fritzl

Josef Fritzl was sentenced to life in a mental institution for imprisoning his daughter Elisabeth Fritzl in his basement for 24 years, raping her repeatedly and impregnating her. Elisabeth and her children were discovered after her daughter became sick and was brought to the hospital.BBC: Cellar father faces murder charge (November 13, 2008)Telegraph: Josef Fritzl sentenced to life in mental hospital for murder of baby son (March 19, 2009)

Fritzl's trial began on March 16, 2009, and he was sentenced on March 19, 2009.Telegraph: Josef Fritzl sentenced to life in mental hospital for murder of baby son (March 19, 2009) At first, he pleaded guilty to four of the six charges against him. Fritzl pleaded guilty to incest, rape, coercion and false imprisonment, but not guilty to murder and enslavement.Guardian Unlimited: Josef Fritzl pleads guilty to rape of daughter (March 16, 2009) On March 18, 2009, after his daughter's video testimony was played in court, Fritzl changed his plea and admitted guilt on all charges.BBC News: Josef Fritzl Admits All Charges (March 18, 2009)

According to Fritzl's attorney, he has chosen to be incarcerated at Garsten prison, one of three prisons with a section for "psychologically abnormal" convicts. The court allowed him to chose which of the three to be housed in, and Garsten is located 30 miles from his home inside a former convent. The facility offers one of the largest prison libraries in the country and is set in the foothills of the Alps. It offers inmates a wide array of entertainment and hobbies to engaged in, including training in a gym, playing tennis, improving their foreign language skills, art classes, singing in a choir and throwing darts. It will also allow Fritzl to continue work toward his phd. Times Online: Fritzl prison has gym, choir and tennis classes (March 22, 2009)

In March 2009, it was reported that Josef has agreed to do a TV interview and donate the money to Elisabeth. Josef has declared bankruptcy, but his creditors have agreed not to request any money from the interview, if the profits goes to Elisabeth and her children. The interview will take place after the trial.Austrian Times: Creditors agree to let interview cash go to Elisabeth Fritzl (March 6, 2009)

A theater in Vienna produced a "satiric soap opera" based on the events of the Fritzl family. The play starred Hubsi Kramar, an Austrian stand-up comedian and debuted on February 23, 2009.Breitbart: Austrian Theater to Stage Fritzl Show (January 13, 2009)

Soon after Elisabeth Fritzl disappeared, a letter supposedly written by her emerged. In the letter, she asked her parents not to search for her and said she was joining a religious cult.

Josef built a set of rooms in the basement hidden behind a bookcase. The entrance was controlled by an electronic system and was soundproof. Over the 24-year period, he brought three of the children to the surface, with notes he forced Elisabeth to write saying she could no longer take care of them within the religious cult.CNN: 'House of Horror' children never saw daylight (April 28, 2008)

Josef's wife, Rosemarie, raised them as her own children, and claims she never knew her own daughter was in the basement.Times Online: Austria: incest father had sex assault conviction (April 29, 2008) WARNING: Pop-ups

Elisabeth's 19 year old daughter was brought to the hospital suffering from renal failure. Elisabeth had hidden a note on her daughter, asking for help. Police appealed on television for her mother to step forward. Elisabeth convinced her father to take her to the hospital, and police picked them up as they were on their way. When the police arrested him, Josef told the police how to access the secret prison cellar.BBC: Cellar father faces murder charge (November 13, 2008)

On April 30, 2008, police announced they were looking into whether Josef Fritzl was involved in the murder of Martina Posch in 1986. Posch had no familial link to Fritzl, but Fritzl's wife owned a guest house near where the body was found. Austrian police noted that Posch bore a resemblance to his daughter Elisabeth.MSN News: Cellar horror father in murder probe (April 30, 2008)