She Built a Room to Hide Her Lover - The Bizarre Story of Dolly Oesterreich & Otto Sanhuber

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Few love affairs are as bizarre as that between Walburga 'Dolly' Oesterreich and Otto Sanhuber. The conniving cougar convinced her lover to give up his life and instead spend his days hidden in the attic of the home she shared with her husband, Fred. Only descending to do chores and meet Dolly's more...carnal needs.
This strange situation would end in a bizarre and deadly confrontation.
00:00 - Intro
02:05 - Walburga's early life
04:37 - The Affair Begins
07:40 - Move to L.A and Fred's murder
14:49 - The Aftermath
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[@WellINever]

The first 100 people to use code WELLINEVER at the link below will get 60% off of Incogni: incogni.com/wellinever

[@VideoSaySo]

I'm a new sub and haven't got around to all of your videos yet, but I'm working on it! Lol! I would love to hear you tell the story of the whole town of Skidmore, Missouri killing the town bully and no one saying a word...not even until this day, decades later!

[@aceofspadess4945]

VideoSaySo, love to hear this case. My dad is from Eagleville, and they watched this case unfold in the papers. It was quite an amazing tale.

[@kellyshomemadekitchen]

@@VideoSaySo yes! I would love to hear him narrate that crazy chain of events as well.

[@BigJackMack]

Video request: Marty Bergen

[@BJKage]

I was wondering if you could do Dorothy Arnold story.

[@ReaperRestorations]

the side eye at "up to 8 times a day" killed me

[@Taragoola]

I know, dude I snorted and milk came out my nose.

[@VickyShawcooksalot]

I thought the pause while slowly blinking was hilarious. 😂

[@veronicado1016]

I know right 😂😂😂

[@jesipowers7867]

*blink* ... *bllliinnnkkk* 😂😂😂

[@Verdi.and.violet]

I came here to say the same thing! Hilarious!!😂

[@eee163]

I think it is a prime example of Dolly being a woman who groomed a minor or took advantage of someone vulnerable, rather than a bizarre love triangle. If the same circumstances involved an old man and a young girl or woman, people would be outraged instead of finding it amusing or shaming the victim. Therefore, she was a repulsive human being. If she were alive today, she would likely end up in prison or on the sex offender list. It is important to acknowledge that there are female predators, not just men.

[@Antikyth]

I agree - this is something important to acknowledge! I'm sure most are men, but just as there have always been female murderers too, there are female abusers, female sexual predators, female rapists. And while certainly women are by far more likely to be victims, men can be too. It's important to spread awareness that these things happen - and no matter who by or to. Everyone needs to feel safe to speak out if something happens to them. And we still have a long way to go, for all victims.

[@thaloblue]

I believe it may have been a cycle of grooming. A 15 yo and a 12 yo have no business dating each other. Sure, they were both minors, but she was still very very young AND she was his father’s employee. That’s two severe power imbalances at play before the marriage even began. And she continues the cycle of imbalanced power by keeping a minor locked in her home. His most formative years as a man were spent at her complete beck and call.

[@Immopimmo]

That was a really bizarre story! I feel like Otto was the real victim here. Groomed from early age, isolated from society and kept as a pet for years by an older woman. Truly sad.

[@rl7012]

Otto seems a bit of a doormat though.

[@lovingmayberry307]

@@rl7012 Of course! He had no one!

[@rl7012]

@@lovingmayberry307 A lot of people don't have anyone but they don't go live in an attic as a sex slave for ten years and only see one person who was obviously using him.

[@robdegoyim4023]

I’m up for it if any randy milfs are reading

[@janetpendlebury6808]

@@rl7012 Would you think the same if it was a teenage girl held in captivity by a much older man?

[@Verdi.and.violet]

“Rude…” I’m dying! 🤣🤣 This episode is the perfect mix of fact and sass. I love it!

[@veronicado1016]

Yes. That "rude" one got me too! 😂

[@mirthroberts9035]

That was funny

[@czarinacourtneyal-marmont4699]

Well said! I 2nd that emotion!

[@Syn3sima]

I laughed out loud !

[@zeusathena26]

I get he thought the first house was haunted, but did he think every house they moved into was haunted? 😂

[@addie_is_me]

You sometimes believe what you want to believe. Also who would think their house had a tenant hiding in the walls. Why the husband didn't investigate...I cannot guess.

[@czarinacourtneyal-marmont4699]

Haha!!Classic! Not the sharpest tool in the shed…

[@SageK253]

I had seen this one covered by another KZbinr at one point, and reportedly, he thought he was going insane, as when he would ask Dolly what the sounds were, she would reply that she heard nothing. Dolly was ridiculously skilled at manipulation.

[@lifewithlee6298]

I mean … it happens in scary movies 🎥 but they weren’t a thing back than

[@zeusathena26]

@@lifewithlee6298 believing in ghost has been a thing since the beginning of time they wrote about it in books for centuries. They wrote about it in ancient Greece, etc. Some people have always believed in ghost. They just didn't believe every building was haunted. The couple moved a lot. Apparently she was a either very persuasive, or he was quite an idiot. 🤷 😂

[@pameversole5886]

8 times a day…”Well, I never.”

[@thescotchsonnet5614]

Some people laugh at the novel and outrageous plots of fiction. However, looking back over human history, there truly is no new thing under the sun

[@YuBeace]

That was it. Right there. That was *the* "Well, I Never" face.

[@bisibisbi]

She´s disgusting. That wasn´t an affair, that was abuse of a minor.

[@feelthejoy]

People did not think of young men that way then. But in more than one way she was pretty much a predator.

[@deadbunnys]

exactly. he was groomed by her. she’s a predator.

[@Violetbunnyfish]

Her manipulation of him was disgusting, but remember back in 1913 people frequently got married at the age of 16 or 17. He wouldn't have been considered a "minor" at the time, just a young man.

[@peggedyourdad9560]

@@Violetbunnyfish This is true, but it would still give people pause considering the average age of marriage in Germany was in the early to mid 20s in 1900.

[@sylverscale]

​@@Violetbunnyfish Doesn't really change the fact that at that age, human brains aren't fully developed. But even if he had been 25, she manipulated him, isolated him from society, and kept him dependent.

[@DanishFay]

I have been following for a while, and I have to say, that you are a phenomenal commentator. You cover so many unknown, yet interesting cases, your voice is very calming, and you have a way to make the videos entertaining with small outbursts and reactions throughout, rather than have the video be a stern and serious, almost cold video. So bravo, good sir. Bravo!

[@WellINever]

Wow, thank you so much! 🙏🙇We try to be respectful when telling these stories but some do have their comic elements. I'm glad my nods to those moments are appreciated 😁

[@Emjay_____71]

I suffer from insomnia and Paul seds me to sleep, problem is I have to finish the tale the following afternoon !!!!

[@tubagal13]

Ah yes. Me. My wife. And my sewing machine repairman who secretly lives in our attic

[@ladydar69pluto76]

I love the faces you make sometimes........(8 x's a day) you're timing and sense of humor is spot on! 2 thumbs up!! :)

[@elvenkind6072]

I noticed the same, and laughed out loudly, early in the morning here. 😀

[@saddaddrummer]

Loved the thoughtful pause😂😂....much prefer a cup of tea and a chocolate Hobnob 😋😋nowadays.

[@hound3000]

Paul pausing at '8 times a day' made me laugh. I find hard to believe too, Paul

[@KappaYokai-er7xp]

The side eye and the various comic expressions Paul makes really brings this whole series together; thanks Paul and team for always covering more obscure cases like these ☺️

[@joanneentwistle7653]

I look forward to these Friday uploads. Thank you Paul. I appreciate your non-judgmental and refreshingly non-creepy (is that a word?), yet engaging and tastefully dramatic, telling of these accounts. I will just say this, no wonder Otto looked so pale and tired....

[@nemowindsor8724]

You’re the best, most well-spoken and conscientious true crime KZbinr there is. Thank you.

[@ShannonMcDowell71]

Fascinating story, and it makes me wonder how many times a lover has been hidden away in a house and was never discovered. Life can be stranger than fiction. As always, thank you for your videos!

[@steamdespair9189]

Was any of his science fiction work ever published? Was she really mailing them away or throwing them in the trash so that he would never think of leaving if he became a successful writer.

[@gaylegoodman9097]

Although you talk about some horrific topics, your voice, along with the accompanying music, is so soothing.

[@amykat75]

I’ve heard this case before, but I don’t recall anyone mentioning him moving to Canada for a while. Always good to watch different creators, since details could be missed by others. Thank you Paul.

[@lynnedean713]

I am still stuck on 8 times a day! Poor Otto. Did he even get a say in the matter or was it listed under "housework"? Really outlandish tale but broadcasted in a most genteel manner as usual. Thank you.

[@WeAreNotAmused]

He certainly didnt deserve to die. Regardless of how much his personal lamentations comport with. Conventional sensibility. After all he wasn't chained to the bed Im surprised he didn't sense or realize anything had been going on behind his back not enviable to say the least

[@CartoonHero1986]

All I know is no matter how mentally prepared I would be to see a random person just come out of a closet in my house; I would probably still scream and recoil in horror seeing a hand or arm just come out of the closet like it was described in the story LMAO

[@AntoineWilliams7118]

as a language teacher i love your accent and pronounciation of french and german names

[@seattlebeard]

I was familiar with this story, but you did an excellent job telling it. Your dry humour is delicious. I have such a crush. :o)

[@elvenkind6072]

Watching the whole story made me think how much must have been going on in the world and still must be going on, totally crazy things, without anyone having a clue and never figuring it out. It's a bit scary...

[@everlynevins]

It was less a love triangle, than it was her grooming him.

[@kayevans2964]

Right, I'm off to check my loft 😲

[@PaxtonRavenscroft]

Oh my, your face at 7:07! I laughed out loud :D

[@thegreatselkie6009]

Right? 😂😂😂

[@rl7012]

So Dolly's husband never ever went up to the attic in any of the houses he ever lived in? I find that hard to believe. In ten years and multiple moves Dolly's husband never ever went up to the attic?

[@alice45-fgd-456drt]

From the sounds of it they weren't attics that were really accessible from the house, at least not in a reasonable way, and most people don't try to find attic entrances in their closets. I have an attic in my house but it can only be accessed from the roof, I've lived here for a decade and have never gone up there.

[@TheCandiceWang]

​@@alice45-fgd-456drtbe wary of the 2 raccoons and a walnut living in your attic 😅😂

[@angelicakoutsouridakis5816]

Maybe he just didn’t care, since his wife was a housewife, so an attic would really just be something for his wife to use as storage and not as something he’d consider as a part of the house in that sense. When we accessed the attic some years after the house was bought (accessible only from the outside, by ladder) the only thing we found was a giant wasps nest. When I say giant, I mean it was like 5 times the size of my head.

[@amy43215]

I love true crime already but you sir are a great story teller!!! Thank you for these videos

[@patricklee6066]

I know a woman who mummified her husband,she "accidentally killed him" during an argument,then left his body to dry out in an airing cupboard.Eventually she was charged with concealing a body,and got a suspended sentence.This was in Rochdale,early 1980s.

[@queencerseilannister3519]

"8 times a day".... That look afterward was perfection 😂😂😂

[@zombiechicken7114]

Fascinating and bizarre. She really put a spell on otto to put up with all he did, including her taking up with someone else after the murder when they could finally have slowly begun to make a life together. Very cruel.

[@MrAnthonyIII]

Right, but she didn't put a spell on him. He was a kid, and kids are easy for adults to manipulate.

[@deniseleplatt1616]

Another intriguing story. I just love your facial expressions. Thank you Paul

[@LadyImperatrix]

Your videos are always delightful, but every now and again there are little moments where your consistently high level of delightfulness is surpassed. For example, at 6:54…I had to rewind and watch three times because I missed what came after because I was laughing too much. 🤣 Whether twisted or ghastly, your stage presence and delivery make every story a pleasure to hear. Thanks for such a stellar channel. ✨⭐️✨

[@ann7882]

Well and truly bizarre!! Haunted?? Seriously, he never went to the attic? Always happy to see a notification from you, thank you!!!

[@robertbowers9856]

It always pisses me off when somebody dies and nobody pays for it, except in self defense.

[@kerim.peardon5551]

I love the subtle, but very pregnant pause after the part about them having sex up to 8 times a day. Not sure if you were holding in a laugh or a spicy comment, but you held it in well. ROFL

[@IronBahamut]

I find it weird some people never really take what happened to Otto seriously. If you swapped the genders people would decry the "dirty old man" keeping a young woman in his house Guy was basically Stockholmed into being blindly loyal to her

[@rl7012]

Otto was free to leave at any time but he chose to stay. He not only stayed in the attic, but moved houses with them and stayed in the new house's attic's too. So Otto was a submissive doormat and probably exaggerated his sex slave story as we only have his word for it. Anyone who claims they did all the cooking and cleaning of the house while the husband was at work, and also had to shag Dolly up to 8 times a day, is probably exaggerating a lot. As his version of events makes him look like the victim and also makes him look like a stud.

[@Taragoola]

This channel deserves so many more subscribers. Keep up the great work.

[@vahgeuvje10]

I get a like from Paul and minutes later he posts a new video, this is a good day.

[@WellINever]

Haha! Have another 😁

[@binibinimariajuana7308]

Hello Paul, I really love your channel ☺

[@WellINever]

Hello! Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad you're enjoying the show 😁🙏

[@L.E.C.S_85]

".....rude." 🤣🤣🤣

[@carpediem.9]

😅

[@dinascharnhorst6590]

That little twitch of your mustache and beard absolutely killed me! Thanks for the great story of a bizarre case and the belly laugh!

[@friendlypiranha774]

This one was so bizarre, that my 'fall-asleep story' actually kept me awake.

[@chicagogyrl4846]

Well, if he was having sex 8 times a day, he surely was not doing much cooking and cleaning. 😂🤣

[@kiwiman6298]

I have heard the story before but as usual your telling is splendid. The point that has always intrigued me is the length of time Otto spent living in relative solitude. Do we know if any of his stories were published?

[@patrickwolf5796]

Otto was her "Gimp" I've heard this story before but I like your storytelling so much more. I especially laughed profusely when you mentioned up to 8 times per day and just paused, looking dumbfounded. Omg that was great!

[@carrollnabors4846]

Loved the "eye action" when he said, " Up to 8 times a day!!"

[@Love_Lee76]

If he was 17 when they first met sounds like she groomed him 😬

[@daffers2345]

In today's view, YES! But as a 17-year-old male orphan, in that day, he would have been considered an adult. (It's still weird.)

[@nicolad8822]

Except he wasn’t.

[@lauradavison8068]

@@daffers2345 He would still have been incredibly vulnerable, probably craving some stability and love. Our brains don't finish developing until we're 25, and that doesn't change just because society says that he's an adult 8 years earlier. He was very clearly preyed on by an older woman.

[@chachadodds5860]

"Bizarre," is an understatement. You had me in stitches with this one. Those two certainly led charmed lives; despite their mutual lack in the cerebral department.

[@pamorama]

What a bizarre tale. And no one was ever convicted and she lived off of her slain husband’s money for the rest of her life. Unbelievable.

[@whyrusosalty]

It may just be me but the part where Otto just comes out of the wall reminds me of the movie The Boy... this story is so weird and interesting at the same time

[@Courier_Jackalope]

8 times a day... That guy must have had one of those little "bang" flags.

[@ScarlettsWebb]

I can’t stop listening to you ! You are a wonderful orator and story teller . Ty - I truly enjoy ❤️

[@SearTrip]

Love triangle? With that lady, it was more like a love dodecahedron.

[@shighbenable]

Another fantastic video. The subtle comedic moments in this were delightful.

[@echognomecal6742]

"...Rude." This man just killed me.

[@PetieLee]

This IS the weirdest story I've heard in a long time! Wow! Drama Central!

[@JOLEE462]

Thank You....I so look forward to your stories....your a great researcher and story teller!!

[@NigelBrodie]

Just found this channel and already hooked.

[@lonagailcasey9707]

Mr Brodie I just have to say thank you ever so much You have once again have made my rough week at work so Worth it You always get me ready for the weekend your alerts always set the tone for me ❤❤❤ That side eye glance And lip smack was gangster AF 😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@rodeastell3615]

Great story and video. Thank you.

[@shotgunbettygaming]

I just adore Historical tidbits and trivia. The Art Deco decor is a mighty bonus. Thank you for sharing them both.

[@jenniferferguson4373]

I think you did a great job!!! Keep it up!!

[@sophrosyne3760]

I really look forward to hearing your soothing voice amongst the unnerving stories.

[@pattif192]

Great stories. Thank you❤

[@anderspaulsson]

Strange love story and surprising end, i love it.

[@allysonhartman976]

I just came across Well, I never and am really enjoying it! I love your accent, Paul. 💜 from Pennsylvania, USA

[@HVARTT]

thank you for classiness and professionality besides the best subject ever It' s true pleasure listenign and seeing you. Thank you for what you do, I am following you from Italy and I am totally addicted to your channel!

[@briansullivan5908]

Living in antics and hidden rooms for 10 years goes beyond love right to obsession.

[@rl7012]

More like a mental disorder.

[@m.y.o.b.724]

Poor guy was brainwashed and blind to boot.😲

[@qrufus]

It's unsettling to think that someone can be living in your home without your knowledge (for months / years). I'm surprised Dottie was able to pull this off for so long. There's usually that one nosy neighbor keeping watch.

[@LizStaples]

I think this says something about the husbands or possibly the mansions they lived in, that they didn’t grasp that Otto was there, also this was the tail end of the era of “servant quarters” I think that may have played into her ability to pull it off, as some homes would have had things like back stairs and weird access points to rooms.

[@lovingmayberry307]

Since Otto never left the house, it wouldn't be difficult to keep it a secret.

[@kristinepfs]

Reaching the attic through an opening in a closet in a bedroom reminds me of "Flowers in the Attic". I have to wonder if V.C. Andrews knew about this.

[@RustFox]

"-- as the only person who cared if he lived or died." "What a nice thing to say when married, that's pretty --" "Rude." "Exactly!"

[@Morpheus1910]

This is about the most outré situation I've ever heard of. People are inexplicable.

[@kevinhensley4643]

This is an amazing true story. Thank you for your historical knowledge.

[@entomopathogenicfungus904]

7:02 😂😂😂 I only just discovered your Channel today and I absolutely love your presenting style ❤

[@jacquetracy3194]

Otto was probably low on vitamin D. He didn't get enough sunlight. You are a wonderful storyteller, thank you so much . I feel so relaxed when I hear your voice. I don't need Yoga or drugs to calm me down. 😊

[@c.powell8472]

this is the funniest shit lol. "No honey don't worry about those noises in the house!!! It's a ghost! Not my secret lover! Booo ghostttt!!!

[@alexthegirl8013]

Even more bizarre when you explain it 🧐

[@flowersforthedead5182]

I have in fact heard of a story very much like this. Two in fact. One was sad and miserable the other was....just funny imo. The latter I will discuss in full. I noticed on my trek to the bus stop at five a.m. that a house had a sleeping bag hanging off of the roof a smidge. I could see that green shiny material and the zipper and knew what it was. Also a huge pile of cigarette butts lying under it on the ground. Turns out a guy that lived there had a girl living on the roof that he was seeing on the sly of his wife. Lmao. Had a whole little estate up there with candles and stuff everywhere. It was the sleeping bag was what got them caught.

[@johnstriker480]

Under different circumstances, I would've ENJOYED living Otto's life in this situation xD

[@bettyfeliciano7322]

Wow Paul! This is the most bizarre story that I’ve ever heard! I honestly couldn’t keep up with who was with whom! Lol. Blessings to you! ❤️✝️

[@marionfriedenthal7352]

This is peculiar for sure. Living all that time in the attic must have driven the young guy insane. Dolly must have had a healthy appetite for the company of men because the word lover popped up fairly often when referencing new characters. I had to keep reminding myself these were real people and such were the days of their lives.

[@ew4932]

I just don't grasp what all four men saw in her. Other than being wealthy, she certainly wasn't much to look at.

[@marionfriedenthal7352]

@@ew4932 Her looks were not what counted...

[@robertalpy]

Excellent choice! This is the strangest cuckolded husband murdered by plotting wife's younger boyfriend, cases in history. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't watched it yet but this story has so many strange twists you'd think it's fiction if you saw the events on screen. The story has the dark humor of a movie like raising Arizona. It has hilarious twists but a tragic ending. And the odd aspect where pity is felt for the stories antagonist despite their crime. It's also uniquely the first instance of obvious Stockholm syndrome long before it was a recognized affliction.

[@desbelfastireland9982]

THANK YOU

[@peterpedro7662]

Absolutely amazing

[@interestedobserver1853]

This case was what the film, starring Shirley MacLaine and Richard Attenborough, The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom, was based on. PS. The film has a happier ending. Like your content.

[@robertgraves8843]

Yes, "The Bliss of Mrs Blossom". An amusing film, very much a product of the 1960's, with it's surreal style. I liked the way He did up the attic.

[@Flamsterette]

I always thought this was an interesting case. Thanks for the upload on the Victoria Day 2023 long weekend!

[@WellINever]

It's certainly a very bizarre one. I wonder how long it would have gone on if the murder hadn't take place. 🤔 Thank you for watching!

[@ColeBean1972]

7:05…15:14…🤣🤣🤣 you, sir, are hilarious

[@jocelienjimenez9821]

I a gree 👍✌

[@joeanderson8839]

If they hadn't committed murder, Otto would have spent his whole life sleeping in the attic and comming out during the day to spend time with Dolly.

[@lindaarrington9397]

RUDE Wonder.. After this story came out how many husbands checked the attics.

[@damonbrown5233]

I've never heard of a statue of limitations on murder

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Crazy story man!!!! Crazier still.......Up tp 8 times??????

[@evamichelova8296]

Awesome ❤

[@WellINever]

Thank you, Eva

[@Antikyth]

I'm glad Otto didn't have to spend a long time in prison, at least, if the events occurred as described. A 17-year-old Otto fell in love with the 33-year-old Dolly, one year off double his age. Dolly ends up convincing him to move into her attic. Otto was not able to speak to anyone other than Dolly for years and years. Otto hears a violent fight. Otto rushes to protect his lover, and the only person he has talked to in years, joins the fight, ultimately killing Fred. There was no premeditation. There was no 'get rich quick scheme'. There was a man who had spent his whole adult life so far living in Dolly's attic and talking with no one else, a man who feared for the only person he cared about. It's a bizarre and terrible situation, but what else would you really do if you had already got into a situation as fucked up as that? She and her house were his entire world.

[@jstringfellow1961]

I can't. I just can't. Some people are so weak-minded that they become abused by aggressive narcissists. I can't believe there was (or is) a statute of limitations for manslaughter. I had no idea. I am glad they had to go through the trials, but I think Otto was not only insane but just pathetic as hell. Dolly was worse.

[@lelia660]

How can a man put himself through such an ordeal? For anyone!