Johann Mayer

Johann Mayer (April 2, 1886 – December 29, 1923), nicknamed Stumpfarm, was a German serial killer, who was sentenced to death for fourfold murder and one manslaughter. Life Mayer was born in Uersfeld, the son of Gunderath-born non-sedentary day laborer Johann Wilhelm Mayer and his wife Anna Maria (née Knorr). The place of birth in which Mayer was first baptized on his birthday and regularly baptized the next day, was rather coincidental, as his traveling parents did not have a permanent home. As a child Mayer attended the school in Boos, before he started work in a quarry. Due to an accident in the quarry - possibly through careless handling - Mayer lost his left forearm, which earned him the nickname "Stumpfarm", even before his criminal career began. Since then he was only partially able to work as a farmhand and harvest helper. At the time of the First World War, Mayer, who was incapable of military service, increasingly fell into an unsteady lifestyle. He did murder in the woods between Elzbach and Endert, but was also given penalties for assault, theft and poaching. Crimes From March 1918 to May 1919, Mayer killed three women with whom he had previous relationships, as well as two men, with whom he had previously been friends.