Adolf J. Köppel - The Researcher Behind the Hinterkaifeck Investigation
Adolf J. Köppel has been intensively studying historical criminal cases, unsolved mysteries, and the analysis of past events for many years. He became particularly
well-known for his extensive research into the Hinterkaifeck murder case, one of Germany’s most famous criminal cases.
The Search for the Truth in the Hinterkaifeck Case
In 2012, Adolf J. Köppel first became aware of the mysterious multiple murders at the isolated Hinterkaifeck farm through a television documentary on Bayerischer
Rundfunk. The unusual circumstances of the crime, the numerous unanswered questions, and the investigative approaches—which remain the subject of controversy to this day—piqued his interest. What
began as mere curiosity evolved into years of intensive research.
Köppel analyzed historical documents, witness statements, investigative files, and known pieces of evidence related to the case. This resulted in a comprehensive
mosaic of evidence from which he derived a new reconstruction of the events. He presents his research findings in the non-fiction book "Der Gruber war’s", in which he details his perspective on
the Hinterkaifeck murders.
International Recognition of the Hinterkaifeck Investigation
Adolf J. Köppel’s extensive research also garnered international attention. In 2026, Czech investigative journalist Jaroslav Mareš—known for his work on historical criminal cases and unsolved mysteries—conducted an in-depth examination of Köppel’s analysis of the Hinterkaifeck murder case. He examined the presented evidence, the reconstruction of the crime scene, and the conclusions drawn from them.
After a thorough review, Jaroslav Mareš concluded that the findings compiled by Adolf J. Köppel provide a coherent explanation for the over-100-year-old criminal
case and that, in his view, the case can be considered solved. His examination of the research helped to publicize the findings regarding Hinterkaifeck beyond the German-speaking world.
As a result, Adolf J. Köppel’s work was not only recognized as private research but was also taken up and critically examined by an independent journalist from
abroad.
Author of “The Lark's Call” and screenwriter for the 100th anniversary of Hinterkaifeck, “The Lark of Hinterkaifeck”
In his nonfiction book "Der Gruber war’s", Adolf J. Köppel published his comprehensive analysis of the Hinterkaifeck murder case. In it, he presents the results of his years of research and, drawing on numerous pieces of evidence, describes his reconstruction of the events surrounding this historic criminal case.
Based on this research, the historical crime novel "The Lark's Call" was written, which tells the story of Viktoria Gabriel, a farmer’s daughter, and her family
against the backdrop of the events at Hinterkaifeck. The novel combines historical research with a gripping and emotional portrayal of the people behind the crime case, which remains well-known
to this day.
In 2022, on the 100th anniversary of the Hinterkaifeck murders, “Lerchenstimme” also served as the basis for a stage production. Adolf J. Köppel collaborated with
the Neuburg Volkstheater to write the script for the play “Die Lerche von Hinterkaifeck,” bringing the story of Hinterkaifeck to the stage. The production combined historical events with a
dramatic narrative and captivated over 10,000 audience members.
Further Research: Ötzi - the Iceman
In addition to the Hinterkaifeck murder case, Adolf J. Köppel also explores other historical topics. In his non-fiction book "Jagdunfall Ötzi", he examines the equipment, way of life, and circumstances surrounding the death of the glacier mummy Ötzi from a new perspective.
A Historical Investigation with a Criminal Investigator's Eye
Adolf J. Köppel combines meticulous research with a passion for examining historical events from new perspectives. His work demonstrates how old documents,
scholarly findings, and criminalistic analysis can help shed new light on unresolved questions.
You can learn more about the author and researcher Adolf J. Köppel on his official website at www.adolfjkoeppel.ch.
