The legendary robbers “Schinderhannes” and “Black Jonas” were executed in Mainz in 1803. In 1805, an anatomy professor brought their skeletons to Heidelberg University to scientifically examine them. There, however, the bones were apparently swapped later, as gene analyzes have now unveiled. Accordingly, the skeleton of the alleged “black Jonas” actually comes from the “Schinderhannes”, but the bones of the real “black Jonas” are no longer available. The data also refute historical pictures for the first time, according to which the “Schinderhannes” was blonde.
For 220 years, two famous skeletons have been part of the anatomical collection of the University of Heidelberg: They are labeled with collection numbers and the name Johannes Bückler alias “Schinderhannes” and Christian Reinhard alias “Schwarzer Jonas”. Both men were legendary German bandits who together in the Frankfurt area committed burglaries, blackmails and robberies. At least 211 crimes were demonstrated by the “Schinderhannes”, especially theft, extortion and robbery, but also murder. Because of their deeds, the two criminals in Mainz were publicly made the process for months. In November 1803, they were finally executed by the fallow.
In 1805, the Mainz researcher Jacob Fidelis Ackermann took over the chair for anatomy and physiology at the University of Heidelberg and brought the two skeletons with them to further investigate them scientifically since then has repeatedly been doubted whether the bones in Heidelberg were properly documented. It is still unclear how the “Schinderhannes” once looked. Because of his contemporaries there are only a few, partly contradictory descriptions in literature. There are hardly any representations – such as stitches or paintings – of the bandit. The few received portraits were usually created after his death and are based more on artistic freedom than on authentic templates.
Skeletons were apparently confused
In order to learn more about the appearance and identity of the two historical predators, a research team around Walther Parson from the Medical University of Innsbruck has now examined the two skeletons in more detail. For this purpose, the molecular biologists and forensics analyzed the bones, including genetic and chemical methods that provide information about age, gender, origin and possible diseases of the individual. The researchers then compared this data with historical documents.
It was surprising that the supposed skeleton of the “Black Jonas” clearly came from the “Schinderhannes”. The alleged skeleton of the “Schinderhannes”, on the other hand, is not that of the “black Jonas”. If these bones once belonged, it is still unclear; They probably come from another robber who was beheaded by a sword instead of the guillotine, as the bone traces suggest. The numbers of the bones of several skeletons were apparently confused and incorrectly assigned at the beginning of the 19th century.
In order to check this assumption, the researchers also analyzed the mitochondrial DNA and the DNA from the cell nuclei of the two skeletons and resolved these genetic information with a still living descendant of the “Schinderhannes”. These tests confirmed a relationship that extends over five generations. Accordingly, this actually comes from the “Schinderhannes” assigned to the “black Jonas”.
The skeleton of the “black Jonas”, on the other hand, was lost over time. The researchers do not know what happened to him. “It may have been the belief that it was the skeleton of the ‘Schinderhannes’, stolen or borrowed and never returned? Ironically, this confusion could ultimately have led to the fact that we are still in possession of the real skelet of ‘Schinderhannes’,” says senior author Sara Doll from the University of Heidelberg.
What did the “Schinderhannes” look like?
The genetic analyzes now also revealed the robber’s eye, hair and skin color for the first time: “The data indicates that ‘Schinderhannes’ brown eyes, dark hair and a rather pale skin tone,” explains Parson. Contrary to some portraits, the “Schinderhannes” was therefore not blonde.
The bones of the bones are also limited, where the “Schinderhannes” presumably spent its childhood and later years of life. The robber, born in Taunus, was later mainly in the Hunsrück or Taunus, as the team reports. The data also show that the men smoked, had caries and ate little meat and fish, which indicates a “poor people’s diet”. The bones also confirm historical reports that the “Schinderhannes” arm and leg had broken; His left Elle and his right shin showed corresponding traces. His skeleton has now been removed from the exhibition to preserve it. However, visitors to the anatomical collection can see a replica of the skeleton and a representation of the robber.
Source: Heidelberg University Hospital; Specialist articles: Forensic Science International: Genetics, DOI: 10.1016/J.Fsigen.2025.103276