Parents often go to unthinkable lengths to protect their children or to avenge them if the unthinkable happens. For example, in 1981, Marianne Bachmeier fired eight shots at the man who killed her daughter, hitting him six times.
Marianne Bachmeier Discovers Her Daughter’s Story
On May 5th, 1980, Marianne Bachmeier’s daughter, 7-year-old Anna, was found dead. The man in question confessed the murder to his fiancé at the time. Ultimately, she couldn’t live with the secret and turned him into the police. The man, Klaus Grabowski, had murdered Anna, but investigators wondered if he’d also sexually assaulted her. It turned out that the then 35-year-old Grabowski had a criminal record, including charges for child molestation. However, he denied claims that Anna had suffered a similar fate.
Making a Choice
One day before the anniversary of Anna’s death, the trial began, and unsurprisingly, Marianne Bachmeier was present. However, after only three days of trial, the bereaving mother decided to take control of the situation, believing that jail time wasn’t a harsh enough punishment for the man who’d killed her daughter.
Tempting Fate
On March 7, 1981, Marianne Bachmeier showed up to court with a .22-caliber Beretta pistol, firing eight shots. Witnesses, including police, reported hearing Marianna Bachmeier say she “wanted to kill” him, calling him a “pig.” Six of the eight shots penetrated Grabowski’s body, killing him in the courtroom on that fateful day.
Marianne Bachmeier Goes to Trial
As a result, Marianne Bachmeier faced a trial of her own. She was put on trial in 1983, and the events sparked numerous debates as people weighed the morality of her situation. While many agree her acts were “unlawful,” many parents have empathized with her actions, some admitting they’d want to do the same.
Weighing the Facts
However, another topic of discussion loomed in the balance. How would the grieving mother be charged? By law, she was guilty, but was it considered manslaughter or murder? In other words, law enforcement would have to decide if Marianne Bachmeier had planned the murder, evaluating if it was or wasn’t premeditated. Ultimately, she was convicted of premeditated manslaughter. Marianna Bachmeier faced a 6-year sentence. Luckily, she only served half before she was released.
Marianne Bachmeier Resurfaces
Despite the argument that her actions were unlawful, many parents can relate to her feelings and her actions. In December of 2022, a video clip resurfaced on YouTube and many comments still supported the bereaving mother for her choice to avenge her daughter’s suffering and death. “As a mom of 3 and grandma to 4, it would take a miracle for me to not have wanted to do the same as her.” One person commented. Meanwhile, another shared: “This is an iconic mother who went through so much pain and suffering all her life just like her little daughter.. more people need to know about her.”
Getting Help
Sadly, things like kidnapping, sexual assault, and human trafficking are all problems that exist in society. However, law enforcement agencies around the country work together to prevent these tragedies or work to help bring the victims home. As such, numerous resources are available nationwide to support parents and children when children go missing or are put in an unsafe situation. Some examples include:
- The NCMEC has a 24-hour hotline, working round the clock to prevent child abduction. 1-800-843-5678.
- The Childhelp USA hotline provides counseling and support for those concerned about a child’s wellbeing. 1-800-422-4453
- The NHTH can be reached by phone at 1-888-373-7888, or by text at, 233733 24/7. The organization allows concerned citizens to report a tip or get resources for safety planning.
Marianne Bachmeier made a controversial decision that has also been applauded. Her acts are a reminder to people everywhere, of just how strong the bond is between a mother and her child.
H/t: Unilad
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