A 54-year-old man walked into a television news station and calmly confessed to murdering his elderly parents eight years ago, claiming he buried their bodies in the backyard to “put them out of their misery.”
Story Highlights
- Lorenz Kraus confessed on live television to killing his parents Franz and Theresa in 2017
- He suffocated his father with his hand and strangled his mother with a rope, citing their declining health
- The murders went undetected for eight years while Social Security benefits continued flowing
- Police discovered the remains buried in the family’s backyard just hours before the shocking confession
- Kraus was arrested immediately after the CBS6 Albany interview aired
The Confession That Stunned America
Lorenz Kraus didn’t wait for police to knock on his door. Instead, he walked into CBS6 Albany and delivered one of the most chilling confessions in recent memory. With matter-of-fact precision, he described how he ended his parents’ lives in 2017, claiming their deteriorating health and loss of independence left him no choice. The timing wasn’t coincidental—police had just discovered Franz and Theresa Kraus’s remains in their backyard.
The confession revealed disturbing details about the murders. Kraus described placing his hand over his 92-year-old father’s mouth and nose until he suffocated, then using a rope to strangle his 89-year-old mother. His rationale painted a picture of a son who believed he was performing acts of mercy, though investigators would soon uncover a more complex web of motives involving financial fraud.
Eight Years of Deception and Financial Fraud
What makes this case particularly shocking is how long the murders remained hidden in plain sight. For eight years, Social Security benefits continued flowing into the deceased parents’ accounts while their son maintained the facade that they were simply reclusive. Neighbors noticed the elderly couple’s absence but accepted explanations about their declining health keeping them indoors.
The fraud wasn’t sophisticated—it was simply undetected. Kraus collected his parents’ benefits while their bodies decomposed mere yards from where he continued living. This financial motive adds a sinister dimension to his claims of mercy killing, suggesting the decision may have been driven by greed as much as any misguided compassion. The case exposes glaring weaknesses in how government agencies monitor vulnerable elderly populations.
Lorenz Kraus contacted a local Albany news station and sat for a half-hour interview, in which he described the deaths as mercy killings for aging parents. https://t.co/Zas15Kspe9
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) September 29, 2025
The Investigation That Cracked the Case
Suspicions finally arose when authorities began questioning the prolonged absence of the elderly couple combined with continued benefit payments. The investigation that followed led police to obtain a search warrant for the family property, where they made the grisly discovery that would unravel eight years of deception.
Law enforcement officials found themselves in the unusual position of having their suspect confess publicly before they could even process the crime scene. Kraus’s decision to speak to media rather than remain silent demonstrates either remarkable arrogance or a complete disconnect from reality. His arrest outside the television station created an unprecedented situation where the confession, investigation, and arrest all occurred within hours.
The Disturbing Reality of Elder Abuse
This case illuminates the dark reality that elderly Americans face from those closest to them. While Kraus claimed compassionate motives, his actions represent the most extreme form of elder abuse—murder disguised as mercy. The isolation of elderly parents, combined with financial desperation or mental illness in caregiving family members, creates dangerous situations that often remain hidden until tragedy strikes.
The fact that a not guilty plea was entered on Kraus’s behalf suggests his defense team may pursue an insanity defense or argue diminished capacity. However, the calculated nature of hiding the murders for eight years while collecting benefits undermines any claims of mental incompetence. This case will likely prompt reviews of how Social Security monitors recipients and how communities can better protect vulnerable elderly residents from those who should be caring for them.
