Josef Fritzl trial: accused hides face with folder in court". The Telegraph. 16 March 2009. Archived from the original on 30 October 2015 . Retrieved 30 October 2015.

It’s very difficult right now for alex, lisa, and Monika, who lived together with their grandma upstairs. They cannot see their friends. They cannot meet their classmates. They even miss school. And this is something which is very hard for them. Mentally of course, they all were a mess. Kerstin was known to tear her hair out in large clumps, and another was known to shred her clothes and flush them down the toilet. But there were many bizarre physical ailments resulting from their prolonged existence underground. The dark confines of the basement dungeon impacted the children more than originally thought. You could probably talk to 50 different psychiatrists and read all of the literature and get 50 different answers about what drives the incest dynamic. There was no natural light and little fresh air. Inside their tiny prison, there was a kitchen, a bathroom, and a living area. And beyond this, two bedrooms. The ceilings were low because of all the sound proofing required to muffle the cries of the imprisoned.

Gerturd Ramharter, Josef’s neighbor who lived across the street, says she often heard hammering and construction noise coming from the house. She wondered, “What’s he building? And how big is it going to be?” Other tenants Inside the room, Elisabeth schooled the children, teaching them to read and write, and tried to keep them occupied with mind-stimulating games that she made up. Josef dishes outabuse, threats, and punishment

Connolly, Kate (6 May 2008). "Fritzl began plans for dungeon in 1978". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017 . Retrieved 28 November 2017. According to Elisabeth’s testimony to police, the situation at home was worse than just a stern father.

Cast & Crew

But, incredibly, Fritzl selected the middle three children for a life of freedom upstairs. Alexander, age 12, Monika, 14, and Lisa, 15. Olsen, Martine Berg (19 March 2019). "Josef Fritzl is ill and 'doesn't want to live anymore' ". Metro. Archived from the original on 6 April 2019 . Retrieved 6 April 2019. According to classmates, Elisabeth found the atmosphere at home oppressive, causing her to run away. Some of it is control. Some of it is lust. Some of it is a narcissistic attraction to self and the creation of self. A house sits on a quiet residential street. What lurks beneath is a specially built cellar prison for a young, 18-year-old woman. Elisabeth Fritzl was imprisoned and raped and there she remained for 24 years. It was the longest night.