Vigilante justice: Meet the ”Revenge mom” who shot her child’s killer in the middle of the courtroom
On March 6, 1981, in Lübeck, Germany, Marianne Bachmeier walked into a courtroom carrying a small pistol. Moments later, she shot and killed Klaus Grabowski, the man accused of kidnapping, abusing, and murdering her seven-year-old daughter, Anna. The act, carried out in front of judges, lawyers, and witnesses, shocked Germany and sparked global debate over justice versus vigilantism.
Marianne’s life had been marked by hardship, but Anna was her joy. That joy was shattered in May 1980 when Anna disappeared and was found murdered by Grabowski, a convicted sex offender with a disturbing past. During his trial, he made vile claims about Anna, deepening Marianne’s grief and rage. On the third day of proceedings, she fired seven shots, killing him instantly.
Initially charged with murder, she was later convicted of premeditated manslaughter and illegal firearm possession, receiving six years…
