The Gruesome Tale of Carl Tanzler and Elena De Hoyos | Well I Never

Carl Tanzler was a man obsessed and he wasn't going to let a little thing let death, stand in his way.
Born in Germany, he stated that while he was growing up, the ghost of Anna Constantia von Brockdorff would visit him regularly. On one such visit Tanzler claims to have been shown a vision of his future one true love. The woman in that vision was Elena De Hoyos. She however did not share his affection. When she passed away from tuberculosis Tanzler paid for her funeral and visited her mausoleum ever day. When this stopped suddenly one day, things really started to get weird.
00:00 - Intro Grave Robbing
00:43 - A Brief History of Necrogamy
02:33 - Elena De Hoyos
03:20 - Carl (Karl) Tanzler
04:20 - Their First Meeting
05:29 - Tanzler's actions after Elena's death
06:29 - Carl Tanzler Steals the body
08:40 - The Body is Discovered
11:05 - Aftermath

[@bvtnFutureCorpse]

I'd rather think about this from Elena's perspective. You're very sick, go to receive treatment where an old man sees you and starts professing his love to you. Then he starts pushing strange treatments on you, all while continuing to attempt to woo you, and those treatments don't work. You tell him you don't have feelings for him, but he continues to make advances. All of this as you are getting weaker and weaker. When you die, said creepy old man visits your corpse EVERY NIGHT, and I have heard he had a telephone installed in the mausoleum. Then he steals and mutilates your corpse. He's not romantic. He was obsessed and wanted to own Elena, and since she was not interested in him in life, he waited until she could no longer consent to get what he wanted. If she had not died, no one would call him a romantic. They would call him a stalker, kidnapper, and a rapist.

[@mbrackeva]

If you look at it from her perspective then the story ends the moment she dies. The most horrible part of this story took place when she wasn't around anymore. Luckily for her! Who knows, he may even have made her last days on earth a bit more bearable. We can only hope. Also, people in those days had a very different attitude to the dead and their remains. For example, it was quite common to make that "last picture" of a dead family member posed with loved ones as if he or she was still alive. That is totally unthinkable in our times. Nevertheless he was a horrible freak...

[@Zachary3D]

Yeah, He is preeeetty disgusting.

[@bvtnFutureCorpse]

@@mbrackeva You've never heard of Saartjie Baartman, have you? Just because you're dead does not mean that your body can be treated any way someone else wants. The same for Charles Byrne.

[@heikesiegl2640]

You can be both. Romantic and obsessed.

[@Avalonserena]

Exactly how i was interpreting this! It would be terrifying and you’d be so sick you couldn’t do anything

[@traceydaizy]

She wasn't his bride she was his victim and he was a controlling, dilusional, abusive stalker.

[@jadeddragon4254]

Well looks like the media labeled her a bride so I guess you’ll just have to deal with it lol

[@sourgreendolly7685]

Yeah… plus the power imbalance between patient (especially terminal) and doctor would’ve made it grooming at best.

[@loretta_3843]

Well, that's putting it in proper perspective. Well said!

[@dxcpt]

@@jadeddragon4254 Whatever you say...

[@briansullivan5908]

She probably wouldn’t have wanted to be put on display like an oddity and then buried in an unmarked grave but the living do as they will

[@nomesdoggie5871]

The cut scene from the old picture to him was priceless. "I don't think it's a good look for me. " 🤣🤣 that was gold.

[@tanzidamim5481]

Yeah I was like "Sir, umm, you look exactly the same... What even?!?!"

[@maevependragon]

Yeah I caught that too. His humor is fantastic! 🖤

[@mountainjune]

Yeah, loved that. Had to smash the like button after he did that! 😆 LOL!

[@ScootDoot1977]

Lol right????

[@juliejeanable]

I rewound it 5 times 😂😂

[@MrCaptainStuff]

This one actually made me openly say “well…I never”

[@Fanny-Fanny]

If only the doctor bloke never, we wouldn't be in this mess!

[@miriam2909]

Felt so sad for Elena. She didn't even like him and he got away with desecrating her body after she died. I'm so relieved her family had her put peacefully into an unmarked secret grave . Sick individual. 🤮

[@Berryman6784]

Bich how u know she didnt like him were u elena?

[@worldgonemad1977]

This man was an out and out perverted abuser. Unbelievable that he got away with his depravities

[@julielevinge266]

Yes exactly!! How did he get away with stealing a dead body!! What an evil,depraved , pervert!!!

[@angmar42]

Worse than Frankenstein! There was no life there but he did what he did...

[@JJW77]

Well, I never heard a more creepier story so well told...

[@Nintendo8bit]

Yea, this story creeped me out and I'm not easily creeped out 😄 But none the less I really like this channel with all the interesting stories 👍

[@MadKingLordeus]

You should have heard MrBallen's version that was released shortly before this one.

[@bonniehowell9206]

What is even more bizarre was that after it was discovered what this man had done to her corpse, she was put on the display for the town to observe before her family buried her at an unmarked grave.

[@pokelover3602]

"I'm not sure this really... a good look for me..." WHY WAS SO THAT SO ADORABLE!? 😍

[@benmcreynolds8581]

It's so creepy how he made the face look so unnatural and eerie and yet he wasn't bothered one bit. This stuff when it's between individuals who had a deep unbreakable bond in life, like the tradition when the elders pass and the family cares for them, that may be macabre but yet equally heartwarming and understandable. BUT this guy had no connection of this sort to the one who's now dead and he disregarded everything that wasn't related to him gaining full control over something he has no right to when she was alive and he has no right to when she died. He then grossly violated her, yet was convinced he was being romantic and caring and compassionate but in reality he was being so disrespectful and inconsiderate to "the love of his life's feelings" and for sure traumatized her family members. I don't know if anyone else has noticed but we still see today people who are obsessed with a "lover" in their eyes and they are convinced in their mind that they are only doing things out of love because they just love them so much, but in reality they are Full on Stalkers, they're damaging the other person's life's and harming itthe with very unhealthy uncomfortable behavior. Yet they are blind to it. I feel terrible for the family of her's

[@maliceinwonderland00]

I don't understand why the family allowed him to have the only key to the Mausoleum! Why did they let him have access to her body? He had no reason to be given a key! He was likely already a necrophiliac who wanted full control of his subject without fear of humiliation and realizing he wouldn't have her in life he decided to give treatments that didn't work so she could die and he would possess her body.

[@navem1838]

This is scary...Im a diabetic and i went to ser a New Docktor för it...With my hubby...When that Docktor saw me för the first he took my arm and hugged me so hard and whisperd in my ear dont be scared!. im 52 and that Docktor was 66...Hubby got angry and thaught WTF ..But didnt såg anything or the Docktor wouldnt help me...Hubby almost slaped him...One very late evening the phone rang on a sunday at 23.30...Hubby answered and he asked to talk to me acute!!...Hubby gave me the phone and it was him the Docktor!!!...I asked what is wrong are my tests bad????...He said i dont know..I asked then whats wrong he answered i dont know!!!Then why are you välling me!!!!!!...He said i dont know...He camel from Romania so the Docktor really was scary...I changed my Docktor and phone number...So it ended well...This video made me think of that Docktor 😱...Im tall with dark blonde hair....😱😱...im glad ive got 2dogs at home to watch...When hubbys away 🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@anjalitiwari8381]

Bbj

[@anjalitiwari8381]

Ujjjj

[@unclebounce1495]

Yes. I don't think he intentionally made them creepy/inhuman. more likely, that was the best he could do.

[@JillCee]

This guy was just evil. The fact that he possibly poisoned her to end her suffering was more likely to gain control over her since she was not submitting to his advances. I can only imagine how traumatic this was to her family in the face of this discovery.

[@fulanichild3138]

The photo of the people (including children) who flocked to see the body, many of them with beaming smiles, makes you realize how much society has changed since 1940.

[@whitedragoness23]

Their version of a scary movie, most likely it was curiosity or to see who was brave enough to see a corpse

[@fulanichild3138]

@@whitedragoness23 That's human nature. It's why people gawk at accidents. But I can't see a body in a gruesome case like this being put on display today.

[@lornocford6482]

We've all just watched a true story about a total weirdo with photos of a corpse. How is it any different?

[@fulanichild3138]

@@lornocford6482 I wasn't trying to make a statement about the individuals who gathered to see a corpse, but rather the culture that saw it as acceptable to put a corpse on public display. Just saying how times have changed.

[@Ilivedbih]

​@@lornocford6482 I don't think we're watching this with smiles on our faces tho..

[@Ristiluu]

That man was a creep, a stalker and since he couldn't handle being told "no" by a woman, poisoned her and took her dead body in order to accomplish his sick fantasies. He wasn't eccentric. He was a horrible person.

[@kellyrobinson6663]

That news photo of people looking at her body is the grimest thing I've ever seen. Who in their sane mind takes their kids to go view a corpse?!?!

[@h.s.6269]

Well, a non related one at least. Viewings are a common way for people to grieve and that includes children to say their farewells. But 7,000 guests to the viewing sounds more like it was a circus than a memorial...

[@debbiemurray5506]

Kelly your comment did make me laugh!

[@nancycurtis3230]

I took my children to see both of their grandparents bodies, when they were very young. 25 years ago. My mother died a week ago. Both of my sister's and my daughter went to see her before the body was removed from the room. They were glad that they did. I wasn't able to get there. I wish that I had been closer to the town. Distance made it impossible for me to attend. It isn't that long since undertaking was always done in the home. Funeral directors are a modern idea.

[@sarahewson3607]

@@nancycurtis3230 pretty sure that’s not what the comment was referring to. I wouldn’t be comfortable with 7000 strangers coming to gawk at my relative’s “Death Becomes Her” body.

[@nancycurtis3230]

@@sarahewson3607 Point taken. Thank you for a very courteous reply. So long as we learn from each other. Without pre judgment. Just be ni ce to each other.

[@nightmare_eyes430]

The people romanticizing this story seem to not realized that this was not a stoy of star crossed lovers, but a story of a man abusing and commodifying a woman's body AFTER her death. This story shouldn't make people go "awww" It should make them shudder in fear! It's a prime example of the fact that women cannot be safe from obsessive and abusive men, even after their death.

[@corb5654]

Just looking for places to play the female victim card, are you?

[@random_fan_of_random_thing8385]

Imagine leaving your young wife because she miscarried… poor girl, in her short life her experience with men was so sad 🥺

[@lauravieyra5658]

he might have only married her because she got pregnant, now that she wasn't he was free from obligation

[@peach.lambert]

I plan to start pronouncing 'unscrupulous', 'necrogamy' and 'effigy' just like you say them. Yes, I'll struggle a bit to work the last 2 into casual conversation, but the whimsy it will add to my Southern drawl will be worth the effort.

[@donavonseibert507]

You have my support in this journal.

[@Mccaid]

Unscrupulous, necrogamy and effigy, just dont come up in conversations that much.

[@peach.lambert]

@@Mccaid they do now. I've been saying them with a flourish all day.

[@Mccaid]

@@peach.lambert rofl

[@lordsheebus]

Still going strong over a month later ?? 🤣

[@Baysidemom2]

is it weird that I'm listening to this to get to sleep? not because it's boring, but because Paul has such a soothing voice!!

[@whitedragoness23]

Don’t blame the channel if u get weird night mares of a doctor and a doll which is actually a corpse

[@anjakeller3545]

Not at all… I did that last night and fell asleep. That’s why I listened to it again today… 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@bubbercakes528]

It is deeply immoral for a physician to profess love for a patient. That is just the beginning of Tanzler’s depravities. Plus the fact that he had abandoned his previous wife and children makes him an atrocious human being.

[@soltera]

the subtle humor in this episode is just brilliant. thank you again, sir for a great episode.

[@maevependragon]

Poor Elena. This guy was an obvious obsessive abuser. Your excellent narration and wonderful sense of humor made this story more bearable. Thank you for such an informative video. 🖤

[@aubreynaulin6207]

My great-grandfather was from Key West and remembers all the school children being let out to see her body at the Lopez funeral home. He also participated in picking up the corpses that had been flung out of their graves during the big hurricane. Key West is a very haunted place! The book Tanzler wrote about his perspective of the events is fascinating as well.

[@olliefoxx7165]

Wow, I've never heard of this story or about the corpses being flung out of their graves. Key West does have a unique reputation and history.

[@tyfaknee]

@@davidfelix2594 Opinions, beliefs and/or experiences vary from person to person.

[@upsydaysy3042]

@@tyfaknee no opinions. Just there are no ghosts. Facts are facts.

[@lesleymaner2851]

@@upsydaysy3042 are you God?

[@tyfaknee]

@@upsydaysy3042 Can you prove that there are no ghosts?

[@laceneil4570]

Elena did not love Tanzler in the slightest. She was still in love with her estranged husband, and hoped to eventually win him back once she was better.

[@tessalyyvuo1667]

Seems kinda sexist that people were willing to forgive him so easily. And like you said, the family probably didn't share that understanding.

[@Berryman6784]

Women☕️ bring sexism into every single shit

[@AzureHart]

I find the whole thing horrifying. There was no live involved. Just lust and obsession from a controlling crackpot. He didn't care what she felt or wanted. As far as he was concerned she BELONGED TO HIM from the moment they met. Nothing anyone said or did was going to change his mind. Had she lived he would not have hesitated to kidnap her, to force her into doing what he wanted.

[@krozsa027]

Oh my god!! For 7 years? This story was absolutely fascinating! Your storytelling was perfect, as always!

[@janloughran1503]

I know!! Imagine how much perfume it would take to cover that smell??? Eww!

[@gingerray2834]

I've heard this tale several times. But. I never heard it told quite so eloquently as you did today. Love the skull with the rose!

[@granitemoss1451]

In no way, shape or form was this 'love'. This is all so heinous, I am surprised they could not charge him with something else, like mishandling a corpse, but perhaps there weren't laws of that sort then. I cannot imagine the pain this caused her family. They are the ones who deserve compassion here!

[@maryoliver8777]

Rolling her home in a toy wagon is just……. darkly comedic

[@basbleupeaunoire]

I first heard about this story on Autopsy (HBO) it is so creepy. That's a man who didn't understand "no." Her poor family - that had to be so traumatic.

[@retriever19golden55]

I just love the matter-of-fact delivery with that wickedly dry wit! Perfect companion to Mr. Ballen's animated story telling, and both channels full of the "strange, dark, and mysterious."

[@stevenmcghee6649]

I used to enjoy Mr.Ballen's videos but had to stop watching as he just won't keep his arms still and it's very off-putting indeed.

[@paultheaudaciousbradford6772]

Best “Florida Man” story yet!

[@mrsdinosaur1009]

I have read that when Carl left Key West he blew Elena's original tomb up. Also the airship he had was where he hoped to bring Elena back to life. He did claim that he actually did bring her back to life for a short period and when she tried to get up he told her take it easy as she had been dead for quite a while. It was certainly a very strange case for sure... I also read that the kids in the photo were given the day off school to go a view Elena and that naturally they were scared witless by it. One kid claimed that he had nightmares about it for years afterwards... Can't say I'm surprised can you?

[@BlackKraya]

I remember a video about this case in the 90s. Stuck with me because of how weird it was, even for a case of necrophilia

[@MissDsPlace]

This man was strange indeed, He was in love,...or was it love?, The woman in question was young, beautiful and more likely baffled as to this older man making advances towards her and becoming relentless, she probably felt sorry for him at first then most likely got annoyed at his advances, told him it was NOT possible, but he kept on,..He took her body after she could no longer refuse him, forced himself on her remains, He basically wanted her any way he could have her! ..it was about what HE wanted, not what SHE wanted, If she had survived the illness, she would most definitely go be with her family and had nothing more to do with Doctor creepy! He wanted her and that was that, he wanted her to love him in return and that was that!..He never cared for her true feelings, he ignored them...it was about HIS wants & Needs. The guy was a Narcissistic, Necrophilies, Stalker, Grave robber, Liar and creep!...Romantic?...Nothing Romantic about grave robbing or necrophilia, He KNEW she hadn't felt the same way, but forced her remains to live as his bride, He raped her remains, He raped her spirit, He raped her memory!...I hate the thought of this woman looking in on her remains and witnessing his vile acts upon them. This is a man who abandoned his own wife and children to seek a Job at a hospital, where he LIED about his credentials and capabilities...a Narcissistic Ghoul!!..

[@usamaaqeel7992]

Well maybe you're right . But how did you know SHE didn't feel the same way.

[@MissDsPlace]

@@usamaaqeel7992 This story was told on ObsoleteOddity The man who cherished a rotting corpse, at 4:55 it says she did not return the same feelings but appreciated his efforts in trying to heal her. some people tell it differently I guess...stories differ.

[@LeoDBW]

@@usamaaqeel7992 even if she did, he hadn't the right to DESECRATE HER CORPSE. You can't consent to anything when you're dead! And the guy obviously wasn't right in his head!

[@algameella]

Absolutely agree 👍

[@queenofhearts9100]

By the standards of the time, YES this was romantic. Because back then it wasn't about what WOMEN wanted. Women were not really people in ye old days, in the eyes of the law OR society. Especially women with darker skin. It's not surpriseing that people thought that way even if by modern standards this nutbar is a grade A lunatic.

[@mileshigh1321]

The whole thing at the end about his "Poisoning Her" to end her suffering, I had read that he might have hastened Elena's departure because of some of the tonics and treatments he gave her. So perhaps when he felt he could do no more, he helped her out! Fascinating and bizarre case for sure!

[@deemack7568]

Brilliant editing at the start. 😉

[@JUNKERS488]

I'm a 5 th. Generation Conch Which means I was born in Key West. You have done a great job telling this story Sir. Several of my family members are in the crowd photo. As young kids we were always told if we weren't home before the street lights came on at night Von Cassel would get us. It Worked well until we reached our teen years. Lol. Ben Harrison wrote a book telling the story it's well worth the read it is partly taken from Von Cassels memoirs. The section about having to get the casket over the cemetery fence is really something. Von Cassel blames the smell on the caskets rotting wood after everything leaks down on him as he is getting it over the fence. BTW: Did you know Key West seceded from the U.S. in 1980? Mayor Wardlow Declared we are "The Conch Republic" Raised our new flag, fired a shot into the air and surrendered immediately. This made Key West qualified for millions of dollars in Aide money. Saving all our local businesses. Another strange fact even though we are the Southernmost point of the U.S.A. and the End of U.S.highway #1 we were Union during the civil war we have 4 civil war forts on our island and Fort Jefferson that sits 70 miles out to see due west of our Island. It played a major part in the war by capturing Confederate ships carrying supplies. We had over 300 captured ships by wars end in our harbor. We have the Atlantic ocean on the south side and the Gulf of Mexico on the North side of our 4 by 6 mile long island. Dr. Samuel Mudd was imprisoned on Fort Jefferson you can still visit his cell today.

[@Flamsterette]

Hi, guys! I remember reading about this case years ago. He was determined to get what he wanted. She didn't want it. These days, this would never fly.

[@whitedragoness23]

I hope it would never occur now a days. But you never know if the person is into dead people

[@Flamsterette]

@@whitedragoness23 *NOWADAYS

[@MessianicMermaid]

@@whitedragoness23 Bundy did it and I'm pretty sure BTK did, too.

[@jackpayne4658]

I'm reminded of Tim Burton's wonderful film 'The Corpse Bride'. I always imagine some Hollywood mogul approaching Burton and saying, 'Listen, Tim. We need a film about necrophilia, right? But it's gotta have a PG certificate, so the kiddies can see it.'

[@lornocford6482]

🤣

[@MessianicMermaid]

Isn't that the truth of Disney these days! lol

[@Sharkkingstudios23]

@@MessianicMermaidI thought it was Warner bros. It’s in hbo max I think.

[@shellyharry8189]

He took stalking to a whole other level

[@vilyar122]

The missing body reminds me of Eva Peron. She had a large and beautiful mausoleum where her body was to be displayed for her people to pay respects to. Within a year her body was stolen and it still has not been recovered.

[@SuperScarlett69]

The body was recovered in 1971 and returned to Argentina.

[@marthagarcia5420]

It was recovered. It was in an unmarked grave in Italy for several years. It was returned to Argentina and laid in state alongside Juan Peron’s body after he had been president for the second time. Her body was finally placed in the Duarte family mausoleum (her fathers family)

[@jenniferlloyd9574]

@@marthagarcia5420 Juan Peron's first and second(Evita) wives both died of cervical cancer. This is caused by the sexually transmitted disease HPV. That means Juan gave this STD virus to them which he likely got from prostitutes. Sad.

[@sajidansari7123]

0:22 that was a great transition, and a bit creepy to be honest

[@loretta_3843]

"A bit weird"?! That's what's called understatement 😳

[@anandhakannan7622]

Well I was stunned and wondering how Karl Tanzler came back to life when I saw the narrator who exactly looks like the same😂

[@snipewithasnake7548]

lkr

[@joelzsheridancomedy3983]

Remember that movie “mannequin”, I always felt creeped out by it, even with Kim Catrel. This bizarre tale dregs up that same feeling perhaps because it is that same grotesque peversion. Love=mourning at the grave site, bizarre weirdo=this guy.And I have to say, well I never!

[@justineharper3346]

I loved that movie as a child. I watched it again recently which was the first time as an adult. It’s a weird freaking idea! I couldn’t help but find it creepy when the guys obsessing over the mannequin before she ever even came to life. That shit’s not normal 😂

[@awesomesauce2000]

@@justineharper3346 shit I never knew Kim catrel was in it. I loved that movie

[@Jess-nc4oy]

@@justineharper3346 I loved it as a kid too, but on watching as an adult it did make me uncomfortable.

[@rockhero2274]

Should've watched Porky's instead.

[@MessianicMermaid]

I was thinking more of House of Wax.

[@MizzzFizzz]

Oh gosh that intro was beautiful, I chuckled so hard my diaphragm hurts.

[@handsomejack5787]

Not in love just wrong in the head . This actually made my skin crawl.

[@donavonseibert507]

I really really enjoy this channel. You guys are doing a fantastic job!

[@ruivog]

Once again, thank you. Your posts are the finest ones around «here».

[@epicFrogman]

Thanks always for these stories. Keep them coming please ! Epic

[@scofab]

Wow... what a story. Thanks as always.

[@mumtazsheikh690]

It always skeeves me out when people try to paint this as a love story.

[@Vailyn]

This reminds me of a scene from the movie "Inside the Darkness". It's horrible that this actually happened. He was just obsessed. Thanks for sharing the story. Well, I never...

[@clairexxx7473]

I am totally addicted to your channel!! Love, Love, LOOOOVVVVEEEE it!!!😍😍😍

[@mileshigh1321]

I am glad you took your glasses off! You looked too much like Carl with them on! Haha!

[@pinkiepie6880]

I heard about this a while ago but I could never find the video so I'm glad your covering it

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

I try to avoid commenting on Tubers vids. However, Mr Well-eye, you’ve caused me to break myself imposed rule... To say, I really like this version of costume and lighting. I have enjoyed your outdoor posts, which have a more casual and lesser antique vibe. Also, I’d love to walk the same streets as you, but as an Aussie on a disability pension you I have to sadly admit that’s impossible. Thank you for your research and impassioned presentation. Kudos

[@retriever19golden55]

I'm getting old myself, and have to watch my pennies. Sad to think of all the places I wanted to see someday, but was too tied up with working and raising my son to travel, and now most likely won't. On the bright side, KZbin is a terrific thing! I can watch many different vids of the same places, from different points of view, and see them for myself...sorta.

[@missvida6251]

Hold on...😂😂😂 glad you took those glasses off because he is your twin!

[@faceambition1505]

Another excellent presentation. Your videos are always incredibly informative. Even if it's a story I've heard before, you bring new and interesting info every time. Thanks for the great content!

[@SpellboundWolf]

I'm so happy to have found your channel today. These videos are well made. I really enjoy true, strange stories. Spooky, crazy or just interesting is what I like a lot.

[@sharonachrak3686]

A great story Paul, thank you xx

[@julietdrozdz7016]

You are such a brilliant story teller.

[@joycarlson2492]

We have a saying where I'm from. "Crazy as a betsy bug." I'm pretty sure that fits this situation.

[@HVS-gk7oo]

I'd prefer a deathbed wedding before a funeral wedding.

[@bunnytsukiko]

I'd guess funeral weddings would be reserved for those who don't get the chance for a deathbed wedding. Like maybe if there was a tragic accident where the person died suddenly and immediately

[@mzspargo]

I first saw this story years ago on the HBO show autopsy. Creepy then, creepy now.

[@galelascala105]

Excellent presentation. You, sir, are adorable!

[@theresadimaggio7241]

I have seen this story before. He was a very strange and unstable man. Im not sure if he did poison the poor girl or not. Im surprised that it took all that time for the sister to figure out that he had taken her sisters corpse. God bless her soul

[@Pinkflamingo77]

Definitely a cause for Well I never! And by the way I like the glasses on you!😊

[@sherirobinson6867]

I've see this covered on so many channels but, your intro is superb. This is sooooooo disturbing, beyond imagination. Really didn't want to watch it again but, wanted to see if you could spin it. You did a good job storytelling once again.

[@meowmixx]

You superceded yourself on this one! Your cadence and videography make for an eerily lulling bedtime tale ... generally how I tend to watch your videos. This one sent me on a research wormhole into Tanzier's psychopathology and deep diving this truly idiosyncratic man and case. Poor woman. My only sympathy lies with her and her family ... from a modern day perspective this is ten shades of murder, abuse, desecration and sexual predation pre and post portem plus too many others to list, including the public display which is as ghoulish on the part of the civilian side. Any romanticization of the man, at least with time she can now be seen as the sad victim she truly was, too many times to count.

[@grettagirl2884]

James, when you talked about the history of people "marrying dead loved ones" for whatever reason, how could this have been legal since the deceased would not be able to agree ie, say 'I do" or sign the Marriage Certificate?? The only way I can answer your question at the end, is simply to say that Tanzler was indeed a very odd soul. Cheers 🍻!

[@roadrunner381]

Well, they couldn't say "I don't" either, so I guess they just rolled with it, just saying!😋

[@piperbird7193]

Not every culture/religion uses the 'I do'.

[@e.s.lavall9219]

I don't know about it in all cultures but in many cases one partner died when they were engaged, so had already said "I do"

[@JootjeJ]

Not every country requires both partners to say "I do" and / or sign a marriage certificate.

[@jakedee4117]

Permission would have been given by the family.

[@sarahewson3607]

I think it’s just a new way for a man to take what he wants from a woman that has turned him down. Unrequited love sucks, but that gives him no right to violate her body. Btw, was this a sort of inspiration for “Death Becomes Her”? Minus the necrophilia of course.

[@ioncekilledamanwithmyshoe]

This is way more than “a new way for a man to take what he wants from a woman that has turned him down”. He’s clearly mentally ill, no sane person would ever do this no matter if it was “unrequited love”, how upset the person was because of it, and how terrible of a person they are. You’re acting like this is a thing that happens often, lmao.

[@nuve9190]

Great job

[@rissyrose3661]

I'm a huge fan of this show. Well done. The opening intro is priceless

[@judyhyland682]

Great stories and story teller

[@unknownbrokenlink]

Hahaha! Loooove the intro! Great storytelling, very informative, entertaining, and intelligent. Thank you.

[@katietaylor8314]

This story reminds me of the other one about that Russian lunatic who dug up the bodies of little girls and turned them into his dolls. Complete with replacing the faces with creepy homemade masks. He even stuffed a music box inside one of them, god knows why.

[@sarahsilverlight6161]

Thanks for your wonderful narration of this story. Always a treat to tune in 🙂 I was a tour guide in Key West (a 'ghost host', lol). I covered this story and made a stop at the gravesite. Fascinating and horrific at the same time. Part of my tour was also a stop at the Martello museum, which housed Robert the Doll. That was actually my favourite part. Perhaps you'd like to cover that story as well.

[@retriever19golden55]

Not sure I'd want to be in the same room as Robert! I'm of the opinion that *all* dolls are creepy, can't stand them (a fact that drove my grandmothers both nuts when I was a little girl, they kept sending the awful things to me in hopes that I'd be a normal girl one day)...but Robert is both creepy and dangerous.

[@sandormarcks6942]

You're a true lover. One who's make these tales very interesting. Thanks.

[@NudePostingConspiracyTheories]

Forgot to put in my comment below - thank you. Fir the story, the photos, and above all your classy, quiet presentations

[@Miss_Camel]

My favourite “Love story” told by my new crush! Just started the video,but I’m super excited!!! I really hope this gets into the weather balloon to take her corpse above the atmosphere, etc

[@aquariusrose5621]

I remember hearing about this on a spooky special in October on TV years ago...but you,sir, tell it way better!

[@augustlunaonline]

Well, I never! What a wild story! Thank you for sharing Also, I recently learned about The Great Molasses Flood in Boston. I think it is a topic that would make a great video because this historic event is seemingly ridiculous but actually horrifying. If you included the newspaper accounts of the event, it would add to the retelling! Just a topic I thought I’d share!

[@youtuber2928]

We need an episode on your life sir.

[@navem1838]

I like your story voice 👍👍..Youre good at telling them odd ones 👍👍👍👍👍

[@tammybirchfield230]

Never heard of this. I did say well I never. Great episode.

[@dda40x1]

That opening was great.

[@lauralowe7834]

Ever seen Bluejays animation about this? Hysterical. Your version is much more informative, and you are a joy to listen to.

[@teresawelter7530]

This is the second time you covered a story that was used by the german band Subway to Sally as inspiration for a song! I listened to them a lot in my teenage goth years and it's just so interesting to get the details of these stories. "Schwarze Seide" (=black silk) is the name of the song - if you're interested, give it a listen!

[@alicewonderglass679]

That’s crazy, he was dancing with the evidence. How could the crime time be up when he was still committing the crime. Madness.

[@lornocford6482]

That's a good point. It seems the crime was taking the body from the grave, not dancing round with it and raping it. To me, they're the worst parts of what he did.

[@marykedutoit1986]

I wish you were my History teacher.....

[@stevenleek1254]

I completely adore this!

[@garrethgoodworth2494]

I am fairly new to your channel. Wish I could subscribe 5x! Thank you, Good Sir!

[@colmanpm]

Brilliantly told however disturbing. Thank you. 😐

[@jademarmalade3792]

Very, very grim story. But also, very interesting 🧐

[@amyhohman6592]

What in the world this is crazy the very interesting enjoy the videos that you put out

[@bonniehowell9206]

I lived in Key West for 5 years and it was quite the experience. Its bizzare history is definitely intriguing and in this case extremely disturbing.

[@blxtothis]

Obviously intentional but rather disturbing, when Tanzler’s face dissolved into yours in the opening scenes, there was that remarkable similarity. Very cheeky that! “He was found on the floor behind an organ” I bet he was!

[@AussieBrit]

Bloody hell man, you made me laugh! Then you have to have a laugh sometimes with this gruesome content eh? Thanks for the upload, your new subscriber from Oz! 🦘

[@galyngroves1795]

This story has always both FASCINATED and CREEPED me out! Sounds like something from a movie 🍿, and I’m not going to lie I’ve always wanted to go to the KEY WEST museum and see if that exhibit is still there.