Case 205: Bernd Brandes
On March 9 2001, 43-year-old Bernd Brandes disappeared from his home in Berlin, Germany. The well respected and highly intelligent computer engineer’s absence was extremely out of character for those who knew him but investigations into his whereabouts proved unsuccessful. It wasn’t until eighteen months later, when a curious medical student began searching online forums and contacted authorities that investigators uncovered what happened to Bernd Brandes. The tale that emerged was one almost too unbelievable to be true. It involved a historical manor house, a torture room, cannibalism and a German man named Armin Meiwes.
Team:
Anonymous Host - narration
Jessica Forsayeth - research, writing
Milly Raso - creative direction
Mike Migas - production, music
Andrew D.B. Joslyn - music
Comments (35)
Didn’t death metal band Bloodbath write “Eaten” about this? Off of Nightmares Made Flesh, iirc?? Can Mike confirm? 🤣
I haven’t felt this level of unease since the Mark Kilroy episode. A difficult listen but masterfully done. Thanks Casefile!
What a crazy case! Well done Casey and Team, to make such a gruesome horrific story into something we can listen to, albeit with feeling like vomiting. It must have been hard on the researchers. It is a strange world, indeed.
I knew about this case, but not all the details. A difficult listen & one of the most gruesome episodes I can remember. But, as always, a brilliantly researched, written, and narrated episode.
Same here. I remember the case but I (subconsciously) didn’t really engage with the details. It was an incredible episode but not knowing those details really changed the way I heard the case. So good
This was the most detailed account of cannibalism I’ve ever listened (and nearly vomited to). And I just got over food poisoning too. Thanks Casey and team, I’m sure this wasn’t easy to research, write and narrate either.
“He ate 45 of the 65 pounds he had in his freezer” and “he even at it at work, in the form of rissoles”. That’s enough Casefile for today 🤢
I have felt a lot of things listening to Casefile but the way I felt queasy and sick listening to this is like nothing I’ve felt before. Incredible episode and storytelling. But now I don’t know what to do with thee feelings lol
My stomach feels so uneasy, could not finish. 🥴
Ugh. Had to bail guys. Not interested in this sickening detail.
Ok wow!!! This is not a topic I like whatsoever and was about to bail out. But then the Hansel & Gretel reference and I just couldn’t stop for some reason. I actually really enjoyed the episode… well most of it anyway 😳
YIKES!! That was a rough listen!
Well written and narrated. 🤮
This case reminded me so much and probably basis of the Rake episode ‘Canibal’ where the lawyer Rake defends a canibal
Such a wild story. Thanks, Casefile! Honestly, I'm a little shocked a band would want to make a song about him. Even for the heaviest death metal, I would think this was bit too far to immortalize in song.
Hecticccc
I was picking up dog poo in the backyard when I started this episode thinking "Nothing is more gross than what I'm doing" and then I was proven wrong!
Wow this is probably my favorite listen in a while. I really love the moral gray area in this case.
Great telling, it’s such an interesting case. I love that Rammstein got a mention as well
One of my favourite cases told with brilliant pacing and story-telling. A classic for sure. As weird and gross as it might be, I don't think Armin deserved the murder conviction but I'm glad is was put in place to deter others from doing it. Still not as bad as bad as that British cannibal bloke. That was a tough case...
Whelp that was the most macabre and least mysterious Casefile of all time
Wow. Super bad timing to start eating breakfast during the opening descriptions of the event. It’s been a long time since I’ve thought “can I keep listening to this”. Well told Casey.
Ooooft, this one was A LOT. But brilliantly told 👏🏼
Masterfully told, as usual. I can't pinpoint why I had to block out certain parts and skip through. This isn't any more graphic than some other episodes, but I think there was something so unsettling about the victim's supposed complicity in the whole ordeal that made me feel sick. Still, this was very well written. Thank you for this!
I’m listening now and I feel the same. It’s making me so queasy. I want to turn it off but ... I can’t seem to
Absolutely gruesome in the extreme but such an artful way of telling the story by moving through time back and forth. One of the worst and the best episodes all in one!
Had to skip a lot but only casefile could do this right. Really damaged folks. Gruesome evil. Respect for life forgotten. Ugh, but we need to tell the tale.
Your brand of telling the story is much better than other podcasts. Objectionable. No need to tell the audience how you horrible you find the facts. Just tell the story. Great stuff!
Always showing why they’re the best out there
Wow!!! The pace, narrative, and subject of this case is a throwback to 2017-2018 Casefile! loved it.
I’d heard about this, but never in this much detail. Gnarly.
Gruesome in concept but amazingly presented! Wooof, what a story!
As a German living only a 90min drive away from Rotenburg I obviously know this case, but nobody ever told it so masterfully as you guys.
Awesome. Thanks Casey and team.
Yayy thank you Casefile Team!!