Swiss town in shock after soccer coach held over 4 killings

BERLIN (AP) — The small Swiss town of Rupperswil is in shock after learning that a long-time local youth soccer coach is suspected of being behind the brutal killings of four people last December.

A 33-year-old Swiss citizen, named by local media as Thomas N., is suspected of killing a mother, her two teenage sons and another woman in the town 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Zurich. Prosecutors said the suspect made a "comprehensive confession" after his arrest Thursday.

Roland Wenger, a spokesman for the FC Sarmenstorf soccer club where the suspect had been a coach, said members were horrified by the news.

"Nobody in the club would have thought Thomas N. would be capable of this, he was always decent," he told daily Tages-Anzeiger in an interview published Saturday.

Rupperswil mayor Rudolf Hediger told daily Aargauer Zeitung there was relief at the arrest but also "a certain amount of shame and dismay that it was really a member of our village community."

Prosecutor Barbara Loppacher said the suspect was an unmarried local resident with no previous convictions or connections to the victims. She said, based on his statement and the investigation, police believe he acted alone.

Prosecutors believe N. acted out of financial and sexual motives in the killing of 48-year-old Carla Schauer, her 13- and 19-year-old sons and the latter's 21-year-old girlfriend.

Authorities revealed grim details of the crime Friday. According to investigators, the suspect tricked his way into the Schauers' home on Dec. 21. He made the mother bind and gag the other victims before forcing her to withdraw about $11,000, police captain Markus Gisin told reporters.

After she returned, the suspect tied her up, raped the younger son, killed all four by cutting their throats and set fire to the house, Gisin said.

The absence of any link between the victims and the suspect had made the investigation particularly difficult, said Gisin. After his arrest, police were able to tie his fingerprints and DNA to the crime.

Gisin said the man's arrest may have prevented further killings.

"Based on yesterday's search of the home, further investigations and questioning, we have to assume that the perpetrator had concrete plans for similar crimes," he said.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-05-15

Off-topic post and reply removed.

Efficient Swiss police work it seems.
Hope he will be locked up in the psychopats facility for life, and not out on the streets again ever.

What an horrific thing to do.

Just goes to show, crime is all around the world.

If this happened here, it would be on page 20 by now.

This type of sadistic, psychopathic behavior seems to be more prevalent in western countries.

It really raises the question what is it about western society/culture that enables such people to flourish undiscovered for so long, then suddenly act out in such a horrific manner as if it were routine behavior.

Edited May 15, 201610 yr by nemrut

This type of sadistic, psychopathic behavior seems to be more prevalent in western countries.

It really raises the question what is it about western society/culture that enables such people to flourish undiscovered for so long, then suddenly act out in such a horrific manner as if it were routine behavior.

What rock have you been hiding under nemrut ?

So sick! Raping an 11 year old boy makes you wish they had the death penalty in Switzerland!

What demons has this perpetrator been harbouring for so long that he finally acts them out in this manner?

Although research and statistics purport to show that the death penalty is not a deterrent, I would vote for

its reintroduction anywhere in the world where it not on the statute books, if it were possible. I very much

believe in the Biblical injunction of an eye for an eye. What possible use does it serve society to lock this

man away for the rest of his life, and at enormous cost to the (Swiss) tax-payer? It is lost on me, I'm afraid.

What demons has this perpetrator been harbouring for so long that he finally acts them out in this manner?

Although research and statistics purport to show that the death penalty is not a deterrent, I would vote for

its reintroduction anywhere in the world where it not on the statute books, if it were possible. I very much

believe in the Biblical injunction of an eye for an eye. What possible use does it serve society to lock this

man away for the rest of his life, and at enormous cost to the (Swiss) tax-payer? It is lost on me, I'm afraid.

Yes, could not agree more, offer the poor bastard a choice, 30 years or a needle, I know which one I would choose. Death penalty cruel and unusual ? What about locking some poor bastard up for 30 or more years?

I know which one I think is barbaric.

Efficient Swiss police work it seems.

Hope he will be locked up in the psychopats facility for life, and not out on the streets again ever.

Locking him up would be too nice. Think of the resources needed to keep him alive for the next 45 or so years: heating, laundry, food, TV, internet, counseling, medical/dental care. If he's found guilty, just kill him. Done, finito.

Swiss jail?

I imagine his living quarters will be better than many farang live in in Thailand.

This type of sadistic, psychopathic behavior seems to be more prevalent in western countries.

It really raises the question what is it about western society/culture that enables such people to flourish undiscovered for so long, then suddenly act out in such a horrific manner as if it were routine behavior.

Is your post based on evidence or ignorance?