Notorious figure in one of the most bizarre murder cases ever. Sanhuber was the "Man in the Attic," the live-in lover of Walburga "Dolly" Oesterreich. He lived in the attic of the very much married Dolly for twenty years, while Dolly lived downstairs with her husband, Fred Oesterreich. Finally tired of the charade, the two lovers conspired to kill Fred, and when the story broke, it made headlines around the world.
There are conflicting stories about his origins. Testimony at his murder trial stated that he was born Otto Weir, and adopted into the Sanhuber family. Regarding the actual paper trail: The 1900 federal and 1905 Wisconsin census lists him as the Wisconsin-born son of George Sanhuber, the 1910 federal census lists him as born in Germany, and his 1917 World War 1 draft card lists his birthplace as New York, NY. Lastly, his World War 2 draft card lists him as "Otto Weir, known as Walter Klein," born in New York, NY.
His 1924 marriage certificate as Walter M. Klein, states that he was born in NYC to Jacob M. Klein and Mary H. Weir. This is closer to the truth, since his birth certificate shows that he was indeed born in Manhattan as Otto Weir. In the 1890 New York City Police Census, Otto is listed as a 3-year-old orphan in the New York Foundling Hospital and Children's Aid Society.
Bio by Scott G
Thank you to Mike Bounds of Florida for finally confirming the grave location, with the help of Jessica Wahl.
Notorious figure in one of the most bizarre murder cases ever. Sanhuber was the "Man in the Attic," the live-in lover of Walburga "Dolly" Oesterreich. He lived in the attic of the very much married Dolly for twenty years, while Dolly lived downstairs with her husband, Fred Oesterreich. Finally tired of the charade, the two lovers conspired to kill Fred, and when the story broke, it made headlines around the world.
There are conflicting stories about his origins. Testimony at his murder trial stated that he was born Otto Weir, and adopted into the Sanhuber family. Regarding the actual paper trail: The 1900 federal and 1905 Wisconsin census lists him as the Wisconsin-born son of George Sanhuber, the 1910 federal census lists him as born in Germany, and his 1917 World War 1 draft card lists his birthplace as New York, NY. Lastly, his World War 2 draft card lists him as "Otto Weir, known as Walter Klein," born in New York, NY.
His 1924 marriage certificate as Walter M. Klein, states that he was born in NYC to Jacob M. Klein and Mary H. Weir. This is closer to the truth, since his birth certificate shows that he was indeed born in Manhattan as Otto Weir. In the 1890 New York City Police Census, Otto is listed as a 3-year-old orphan in the New York Foundling Hospital and Children's Aid Society.
Bio by Scott G
Thank you to Mike Bounds of Florida for finally confirming the grave location, with the help of Jessica Wahl.
Gravesite Details
Buried under the name Walter M. Klein
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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