A New York man’s televised confession to murdering his elderly parents has exposed a shocking eight-year scheme of fraud against Social Security—highlighting the dangerous gaps in government oversight that allow criminals to exploit taxpayer-funded programs.
Televised Confession Reveals Disturbing Crime
Lorenz Kraus walked into WRGB-TV’s Albany studio on October 10, 2025, and calmly described killing his parents, Franz and Theresia Kraus, eight years earlier. During the chilling interview, Kraus claimed he strangled his elderly parents as acts of mercy due to their declining health, then buried their bodies in the family’s backyard. His admission came after emailing news outlets with details of the double homicide he had successfully concealed since 2017.
The 53-year-old described the killings as “quick” and “merciful,” stating his mother had suffered a fall and his father lost mobility after cataract surgery. However, investigators found no evidence of terminal illness or medical documentation supporting his mercy killing claims. Kraus was arrested immediately after leaving the television studio, facing two counts of murder and charges for concealing human corpses.
Government Fraud Scheme Exposed Taxpayer Vulnerabilities
Following the 2017 murders, Kraus continued collecting his deceased parents’ Social Security payments for eight years, highlighting alarming weaknesses in federal oversight systems. The Social Security Administration’s failure to detect this ongoing fraud demonstrates how criminals can exploit government programs designed to help legitimate beneficiaries. Only in September 2025 did investigators finally notice the suspicious payment pattern, triggering the investigation that led to Kraus’s confession.
This case underscores the urgent need for stronger verification systems within Social Security Administration operations. Conservative advocates have long warned about inadequate safeguards in government benefit programs, arguing that poor oversight enables fraud while honest taxpayers bear the financial burden. The eight-year delay in discovering this scheme raises serious questions about how many similar cases remain undetected across the federal benefits system.
Legal Proceedings and Community Impact
Kraus appeared in court on October 12, 2025, where his public defender entered a not guilty plea despite his televised confession. The judge ordered him held without bail as prosecutors prepare their case against him. Police recovered the bodies of Franz and Theresia Kraus from the family’s Albany backyard, confirming the details from his shocking admission. The investigation continues as authorities examine potential additional charges related to the extensive Social Security fraud.
Lorenz Kraus made headlines recently for admitting during a local Albany, New York TV interview that he killed and buried his elderly parents in 2017. Now, get a behind-the-scenes look at how this situation unfolded from the anchor who conducted the interview.
Criminally… pic.twitter.com/yb1jdWoQaR
— Criminally Obsessed (@CRMNLLYObsessed) October 12, 2025
The Albany community expressed shock and outrage upon learning that a double murder had gone undetected in their neighborhood for nearly a decade. This case has sparked renewed discussions about elder care responsibilities, family obligations, and the proper channels for addressing end-of-life concerns. Legal experts emphasize that mercy killing remains illegal without proper medical supervision and legal framework, regardless of claimed compassionate motives.
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Man admits in TV interview to killing and burying his parents in Albany, New York
There weren’t any family members or neighbors who noticed these two people were “missing”!!!!!!