Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

Chief Defendant in Death Camp in Germany Hangs Self; Denied Guilt

October 12, 1966
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

Kurt Bolender, 54, the chief defendant in the trial of 11 former officials of the Nazi Sobibor death camp in Poland, hanged himself in his cell, court officials announced here today.

Bolender left a note denying his guilt in the murder of 360 Jews and taking part in the killing of 84,000 others. He said no one in the court would believe him, and he did not want to spend the rest of his life in prison. Ten other defendants in the trial are charged with complicity in the murder of 250,000 Jews at Sobibor.

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement