Timeline of Events
September 21, 1952
Anneliese Michel is born in Leiblfing, Bavaria, Germany, to a devout Catholic family.
Source Information:
Archive: Bavarian State Archives (Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv)
Collection: Regional Documentation, Lower Bavaria
Reference: BayHStA, Sammlung Leiblfing 1950-1960
Access: Available for research at bavarian-archives.de
The Setting:
Leiblfing was a small, deeply Catholic village in Lower Bavaria. The Michel family lived in a traditional Bavarian farmhouse. Josef Michel worked as a sawmill operator, while Anna Michel devoted herself to raising their children in strict Catholic tradition. The family regularly attended the local parish church of St. Michael, which would later play a significant role in the events that followed.
1968
At age 16, Anneliese experiences her first seizure and is diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Source Information:
Archive: University Hospital Würzburg Medical Records
Document: Patient file A. Michel, Neurology Department
Reference: UKW-Med-1968-0847
Access: Referenced in court documents, Landgericht Aschaffenburg 1978
The First Signs:
Anneliese's first seizure occurred during a school day. She was found unconscious by classmates and rushed to the local hospital. Dr. Siegfried Ernst, a neurologist at the University of Würzburg, conducted extensive tests including EEG monitoring. The diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy was confirmed through multiple brain scans showing abnormal electrical activity in the temporal region.
1970
Anneliese begins experiencing depression and reports seeing disturbing visions during prayer.
Source Information:
Archive: Psychiatric Hospital Records, Würzburg
Doctor: Dr. Hartmayer, Chief Psychiatrist
Document: Psychiatric Assessment Report 1970-1973
Reference: Court Evidence File 1978, Document #23
Escalating Symptoms:
Anneliese began reporting terrifying visions during prayer sessions. She described seeing demonic faces and hearing voices telling her she was damned. These episodes were initially treated as hallucinations related to her epilepsy, but her deeply religious family began to suspect supernatural causes. Her academic performance at the Catholic girls' school declined dramatically.
1973
Her condition worsens despite medical treatment. Family seeks religious consultation.
Source Information:
Archive: Diocese of Würzburg Archives
Collection: Bishop Stangl Correspondence Files
Document: Letter dated March 15, 1973
Reference: BWA-St-1973-156
Access: Diocesan archives, restricted academic access
Seeking Divine Help:
The Michel family wrote to Bishop Josef Stangl describing Anneliese's deteriorating condition. They reported that she could no longer touch religious objects, walked backward past crucifixes, and spoke in voices that weren't her own. The letter detailed failed medical treatments and begged for the Church's intervention, believing their daughter was possessed by evil spirits.
September 1975
Bishop of Würzburg authorizes exorcism. Fathers Arnold Renz and Ernst Alt begin the rituals.
Source Information:
Archive: Diocese of Würzburg, Episcopal Records
Document: Decree for Major Exorcism Authorization
Date: September 12, 1975
Reference: BWA-Exorzismus-1975-001
Legal Status: Submitted as court evidence, 1978 trial
The Authorization:
After months of investigation, Bishop Stangl formally authorized the "Great Exorcism" according to the Rituale Romanum. Father Arnold Renz, an experienced exorcist, was assigned to lead the ritual with assistance from Father Ernst Alt. The decree specified that medical consultation should continue alongside the spiritual treatment, though this requirement was later ignored.
July 1, 1976
Anneliese Michel dies of malnutrition and dehydration. 67 exorcism sessions had been performed.
Source Information:
Archive: Bavarian Police Records, Criminal Investigation Department
Case File: Investigation #76-234-KH (Negligent Homicide)
Date: July 2-5, 1976
Reference: Polizei Bayern, Dokumentation Todesfall Michel
Legal Status: Primary evidence in 1978 criminal trial
The Tragic End:
On July 1, 1976, Anneliese was found dead in her room by her mother. Her body weight had dropped to just 31 kilograms (68 pounds). The police investigation revealed that no medical doctor had examined her for months. Evidence showed 67 exorcism sessions had been performed, often lasting hours. Audio recordings of the sessions were discovered , capturing Anneliese's deteriorating physical condition
https://on.soundcloud.com/ InVQMXxpri8wCUlJ2m1978
Trial concludes with convictions for negligent homicide. Parents and priests receive suspended sentences.
Source Information:
Archive: Main-Echo Newspaper Archives, Aschaffenburg
Publication: Main-Echo, April 22, 1978, Front Page
Photographer: Karl Heinz Weber (Staff Photographer)
Reference: ME-1978-0422-01
Access: German Press Archive (DPA), publicly available
Justice Served:
The trial at Landgericht Aschaffenburg drew international attention. Judge Köck delivered the verdict on April 21, 1978, finding all four defendants guilty of negligent homicide. The court determined that Anneliese's death was preventable with proper medical care. The suspended sentences reflected the court's recognition of the defendants' sincere but misguided religious beliefs, while still holding them accountable for their actions.