Daughter's 24-Year Captivity Uncovered in Austrian Basement

Josef Fritzl imprisoned his daughter, Elisabeth, in a secret basement for 24 years, subjected her to horrific abuse, and forced her to bear seven children. The unspeakable horror began when she was lured into the basement at 18, becoming her prison for over two decades. Three of her children lived with her in the dark, cramped space, while others were raised by Fritzl and his wife, who claimed ignorance.

The unimaginable truth surfaced when Elisabeth's eldest daughter, Kerstin, became critically ill. Her desperate plea for medical help, aided by a note from her mother, exposed Fritzl's crimes. Police investigation led to Fritzl's arrest, ending Elisabeth's long torment and freeing her and her children into daylight for the first time in decades.

Now elderly and behind bars, Fritzl suffers from dementia and is reportedly isolated, his health declining. He was recently denied parole, deemed a continuing danger despite his age. The article highlights the enduring trauma for Elisabeth and her children as they navigated a semblance of normality after years of unimaginable abuse.