Lorenz Kraus confesses to killing and burying his parents in New York

In upstate New York, Lorenz Kraus, 53, made a chilling confession during a television interview, admitting to the mercy killings of his elderly parents, Franz and Theresia Kraus, eight years prior. Following a police investigation prompted by the recovery of two bodies on his property, Kraus revealed that his parents, aged 92 and 83 at the time of their deaths, had been receiving social security benefits despite not being seen for years. In the on-camera interview with CBS6, Kraus initially hesitated but, after persistent questioning, disclosed how he killed his father by strangulation and subsequently his mother, claiming that he acted out of compassion due to their declining health. The sensational interview took place a day after police discovered the bodies, which were buried in the backyard of Kraus's home. The deceased parents were described by Kraus as survivors of World War II in Germany. Kraus characterized his actions as a way to spare them from the physical and mental deterioration that comes with aging, asserting that he fulfilled his duty as a son. He did not elaborate on whether his parents suffered from terminal illnesses, which raises questions about the morality of his self-proclaimed mercy killings. The investigation leading to the discovery of the bodies stemmed from allegations that Kraus was committing social security fraud by collecting benefits on behalf of his deceased parents. As a result, he was charged with two counts of murder and concealment of a human corpse. During his court appearance, Kraus pleaded not guilty to the charges but has been held without bail at the Albany County jail. The unsettling case has drawn attention not only for the nature of the crimes but also for Kraus's background, which includes previous conspiracy-driven statements and failed political ambitions. In the lead-up to the interview, news director Stone Grissom revealed that Kraus had emailed a two-page statement to various news outlets, prompting their interest. An agreement was reached to feature his statement online if he participated in an interview. The situation escalated quickly, as Kraus's confession unfolded live on air, contradicting his earlier implication of invoking the Fifth Amendment when questioned about the deaths. News anchor Greg Floyd relentlessly sought clarification from Kraus during the interview, which lasted 30 minutes and ultimately led to his arrest immediately after its conclusion.