New York Man Charged with Murder After Confessing to Killing Parents on Television
COLONIE, NY – Lorenz Kraus, 51, has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder and two counts of concealing a corpse following a televised confession to the deaths of his parents, Franz and Theresia Kraus. The remains of the couple,believed to be 92 and 83 respectively,were discovered buried in the backyard of their Colonie,New York home this week.
The case began in May when the Social Security Administration alerted police after receiving a tip that the Krauses were continuing to collect benefits despite not being seen. Officers found no sign of the couple during a welfare check. Investigators began excavating the property on Wednesday, uncovering one set of human remains, and a second set on thursday. Police Chief Brendan Cox stated he is confident the remains are those of Franz and Theresia Kraus.
prior to his arrest on Thursday, Kraus proactively contacted several news outlets, ultimately granting an interview to WRGB where he admitted to killing his parents. He claimed the act was “merciful,” citing Theresia’s injuries from a street accident and Franz’s inability to drive following cataract surgery.
“I did my duty to my parents,” Kraus stated in the interview. “My concern for their misery was paramount.” He further suggested a need for legal changes to address similar situations.
Kraus appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held without bail. District Attorney lee Kindlon acknowledged Kraus’s confession to WRGB as helpful to the prosecution, but emphasized the importance of physical evidence and witness testimony.
Authorities were previously alerted to the potential well-being of the Krauses in Febuary 2020 by a concerned relative. A neighbor reportedly told officers at the time that the couple had moved out of the country.
Beyond this case, the Times Union reports Kraus has a history of fringe political activity, including an “obscure” presidential campaign and espousal of conspiracy theories and antisemitism.
WRGB station manager Stone Grissom confirmed that Kraus was searched for weapons before the interview and that a plainclothes officer was present in the station lobby. Kraus’s public defender, Rebekah Sokol, has expressed “very serious concerns” about the interview, stating it resembled a police interrogation.
Kraus is a graduate of Siena University (1994, political science, valedictorian) and Rensselaer Polytechnic institute (2009, MBA).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
