1935. Josef Fritzl was born in Amstetten, Austria
1955. Josef Fritzl graduates as an electrical engineer
1957. At the age of 22, he marries Rosemarie, 17. Their first daughter Ulrike is born the same year. Daughter Rosemarie is born in 1960, and their son Harald, 1963.
1966. The couple’s fourth child, Elisabeth, is born.
1967. Josef Fritzl is sentenced to 18 months of prison for the rape of a nurse while threatening her with a knife. Rosemarie told the children he had gone away for work.
1969. Having done his prison time, Fritzl finds a job with a construction firm in Amstetten.
1970. Josef Fritzl starts visiting the brothel Villa Ostende. He very quickly acquires a reputation for being violent and is most unpopular amongst the prostitutes.
1971. Rosemarie gives birth to twins; Gabriele och Josef.
1972. Rosemarie and Josef’s last child together, Doris, is born. Josef Fritzl abuses Elisabeth for the first time. She is 11 years old.
1978. Building permission for a bunker on Ybbsstrasse 40, is granted.
1984. On August 28 Josef Fritzl sedates his daughter using ether and imprisons her in the bunker.
24 years of hell begin.
