GERMAN BODYBUILDER SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR KILLING HARROGATE HEIRESS
A German nightclub bouncer and body builder who murdered his girlfriend after she threatened to leave him has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.Marc Schatzle used a towel to strangulate Anna Florence Reed in their luxury hotel room overlooking Lake Maggiore in Switzerland.
The court heard that Ms Reed, who grew up in Harrogate and came from a prominent horse-racing family, had lavished nearly £50,000 on Schatzle during their three-month relationship, as reported by the Mirror.
The tragedy unfolded on April 9, 2019, after Ms Reed threatened to leave Schatzle.
Despite claiming he accidentally suffocated her during sex, the court rejected his claim, and Judge Mauro Ermani pronounced him guilty of 'intentional homicide.' The judge described Schatzle's defense that her death was the result of a sex game that 'ended badly' as 'convenient,' stating it was 'an intentional homicide of a particularly high level, close to murder.' The judge added, 'His guilt is of a very high degree.
He has proven to be able to kill a young woman who had given him love and money, because he was unable to contain his emotions when he felt abandoned.' It was mentioned that Schatzle's guilt was so high that he intentionally killed Ms Reed with awareness.
During the trial, Schatzle tried to convince the court that she died accidentally, saying, 'Anna loved it when I choked her,' but prosecutors argued strongly that his actions were motivated by greed and violence.
Prosecutor Petra Canonica Alexakis revealed that Schatzle stole Ms Reed’s credit card just hours before her death, hiding it in a ceiling panel in the hotel lift, where it was found five months later.
Ms Reed had received a significant sum of money from a relative shortly before her death, while Schatzle's bank account showed minimal activity, indicating theft.
The trial also disclosed Schatzle's background: he was born in Jestetten, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and had multiple previous convictions, including assault and theft.
His social media handle was 'Marc Dirtywhite,' associated with racist and violent groups.
Schatzle, a father of two, was formerly a nightclub bouncer working in Zurich, where he met his ex-partner Michele Bochsler, who stood by him despite his convictions.
Ms Reed, known for her love of horses, swimming, and skiing, had recently been on a gap year funded by her wealthy father and sister following her mother’s death in 2014.
The court confirmed Schatzle’s guilt, and he was sentenced accordingly, with the court expressing that he deliberately murdered Ms Reed and saw her as prey for her wealth and affection.
The family expressed their devastation, noting Anna’s vibrant and generous nature, and her love for her friends, sports, and animals.
Her life was tragically cut short when Schatzle strangled her in a hotel room after an argument, marking a tragic end to the young woman’s promising future.
