Black magic, fetal hearts, more than 500 victims… A medieval serial killer terrorized the Alsatian countryside

We are in 1582, in Basel, Switzerland. In his publishing house, Samuel Apiarius is busy printing “two new news items”. There is no doubt about the size of the typeface: the first news item reported is undoubtedly the one that will make an impression.
The “infamous, soul-breaking story of six bandits and a murderer”.

In his brief, the editor dwells on this “Peter Nirsch”, who would have been tried during the past year in Alsace for “more than 300 murders”. For several years now, the most ignoble rumors have been circulating about this character. Some grant this bloodthirsty killer supernatural powers, such as the ability to morph or make himself invisible.

Cannibalism and encounter with the Devil

Other accounts evoke a cannibal, which would target more specifically pregnant women. A follower of black magic, he would have even received the blessing of the Devil in person, during a meeting in Phalsbourg in Moselle.

One certainty: it was better not to cross Peter Niers (the French spelling of his name) and his gang in the hollow of the 16th century. Before forging this reputation as a black mage, the German bandit built that of a seasoned criminal. With his gang, he roamed the roads of the Holy Roman Empire, always in small groups, to loot and kill. Some accomplices will also be arrested in Strasbourg.

A dark reputation

It wasn’t until 1577 that history took a much darker turn. Arrested then tortured in Gernsbach in Germany, a few kilometers from the Alsatian border, Peter Niers confesses to 75 crimes, as the historian Joy Wiltenburg indicates in her book Crime and culture in young modern Germany. However, he will manage to escape before disappearing, giving free rein to the most gloomy ballads on his misdeeds.

A few months earlier, one of his acolytes had confessed to having helped Niers kill a 20-year-old young woman. The starting point of its dark reputation? In any case, after this episode, the rumors on this subject will increase. Master of disguise, king of camouflage, Peter Niers would have in his possession a whole paraphernalia of magical materials. Its secret ingredient? The ultimate horror: fetuses torn from pregnant women, whose hearts he ate during his incantations of black magic.

544 murders, including 24 fetuses

His pact with the Devil will come to an abrupt end. In 1581, after fifteen years of rage, he was confused in the Bavarian town of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz. Having gone to wash in the public bathhouse, he leaves his reputedly magical bag at the tavern where he has settled. Recognized by a witness, he confirms his identity and his numerous murders after being confronted with the contents of his bag: severed hands and several fetal hearts.

In this “period of permanent torture”, according to Peter Andersen, professor of literature and ancient German history at the University of Strasbourg, Peter Niers will be tortured in extremely cruel proportions. He will be executed on September 16, 1581, struck 42 times by the torture of the wheel before being dismembered by quartering. Under torture, he confessed to having committed 544 murders, including those of 24 fetuses cut from pregnant women.

Five centuries later, are these figures plausible? Peter Andersen qualifies: “The witnesses at the time were not as objective as they are today and there was no defense lawyer. But there have been ballads about him, which have contributed to his reputation. He is above all a historical figure and it really existed. “

Despite all his crimes, Peter Niers would not be the victim record holder. Another German serial killer living at the same time would be ahead of him in this grim ranking. Christman Genipperteinga, also executed in 1581, is reputed to have committed no less than 964 murders.

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