This podcast details true crime cases.

It contains adult themes and may contain descriptions of violence.

It is not intended for children.

Listener discretion is advised.

Thank you for joining me for today's episode of Once Upon a Crime.

We're in the series Ghosts in the attic.

In this series, we ask the question, what if someone was hiding in your home right under your nose for weeks or even years without your knowledge?

While as unbelievable a scenario as that seems, I discovered several cases of people who hid themselves away under the stairs in an attic or crawl space waiting and watching the people who live there only emerging to commit a heinous crime.

Our next story is so unbelievable you'll probably think I made it up, but it's all true.

This is the case of the ghost in the Garrett, Otto Sanhuber.

Fred Osterick, a well-to-do factory owner living in Los Angeles, had been noticing some odd incidents occurring in his home for some time.

Fred had opened a textile company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the early 1900s and made a fortune selling kitchen aprons and other sewn items.

The business expanded over the years and in 1918, Fred and his wife Dolly decided to open another factory in sunny California where they could live out their golden years.

Fred began considering retirement once he set up the new factory in Los Angeles, but he found that the challenge and excitement of opening a new business in the fast-growing city invigorated him.

Instead of slowing down, Fred once again threw himself into his work, often spending 10 or even 12 hours per day at the factory.

So when Fred returned home in the evenings, Allie wanted was to have a hot meal, a drink or two, and maybe the evening paper before retiring to bed.

Peace and quiet was what he craved after a long day.

On one particular night, Fred was relaxing in his spacious home located at 858 North St. Andrews Place in the Melrose Hill neighborhood of Los Angeles when he was disturbed by a noise from upstairs.

Half rising from his chair, he put down his paper. What the hell was that? He asked his wife, looking up at the ceiling.

His wife Dolly, sitting in the chair opposite him, was working on some knitting. She was the only other person in the home.

She didn't look up at her husband as she answered, what was what, dear?

Her disinterest caused Fred to become angry. This wasn't the first time he'd heard noises coming from above when no one else was home.

...