Ep. 080 | Bernd Brandes, Armin Meiwes & "Consensual" Cannibalism
Armin Meiwes was a German computer technician whose 2001 crime shocked the world for its voluntary brutality. Living in the small town of Rotenburg, Meiwes posted an online ad seeking a willing participant to be killed and eaten — and astonishingly, a man named Bernd Jürgen Brandes responded. The two met, filmed their encounter, and Meiwes killed and partially consumed Brandes with his full consent.
When police discovered the footage and evidence, Meiwes was arrested and initially convicted of manslaughter in 2004, receiving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence. However, after public outrage and a retrial in 2006, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The case raised complex legal and ethical questions about consent, morality, and the limits of human freedom, and remains one of the most disturbing examples of real-life cannibalism in modern history.
SOURCES:
Armin Meiwes: German Cannibal. (n.d.). Crime+Investigation UK. Retrieved from https://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/armin-meiwes-german-cannibal
Cannibal says he was lonely and dreamt of ‘brother’ to disembowel. (2003, December 3). The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/cannibal-says-he-was-lonely-and-dreamt-of-brother-to-disembowel-8860748.html
Cannibal turns vegetarian after joining Green group. (2007, November 21). The Scotsman. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/cannibal-turns-vegetarian-after-joining-green-group-2508513
German cannibal expresses regret. (2004, February 2). Hindustan Times / Agence France-Presse. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/german-cannibal-expresses-regret/story-MXaAkg9XvcoekEBRzpVUCM.html
German court finds cannibal guilty of murder. (2006, May 10). The Guardian (London). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/may/10/germany.lukeharding
Harding, L. (2003, December 3). Victim of cannibal agreed to be eaten. The Guardian (London). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/dec/04/germany.lukeharding
Harding, L. (2004, January 30). Cannibal who fried victim in garlic is cleared of murder. The Guardian (London). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jan/31/germany.lukeharding
Mein Teil: German rock band’s ‘part’ song tells of cannibals’ repast. (2004, August 29). Taipei Times / Agence France-Presse. Retrieved from https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/08/29/2003200719
