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Husband, 47, Accused of Killing DC Socialite Wife, 91

Police say fake general presented relatives with forged will

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2011 1:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – In a bizarre murder case that has captivated Washington, DC, 47-year-old German national Albrecht Muth has been arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, 91-year-old socialite and former journalist Viola Drath. Muth, who was booked more than once for domestic violence during the 22-year marriage, was arrested after medical examiners determined that his wife had died of strangulation and blunt-force injuries, the Washington Post reports.

Police say that the day after Drath's body was found, he presented her relatives with a forged letter stating that he was to be paid $150,000 in the event of her death, reports the Huffington Post. Drath's friends describe her as a wonderful, intelligent woman who was full of life, and describe Muth as a strange individual and pathological liar whom they had repeatedly warned her about. Muth, who was unemployed and received a $2,000 monthly allowance from his elderly wife, often claimed to be a general in the Iraqi army and at times walked around the neighborhood in uniform.

Muth regularly claimed to be an Iraqi general, but the Iraqi embassy says he has no connection to the country.
Muth regularly claimed to be an Iraqi general, but the Iraqi embassy says he has no connection to the country.   (YouTube)
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He was a strange and ultimately unstable fellow, and we felt he was taking advantage of her. - Richard Gookin,
a retired State Department official
and longtime friend of Drath’s

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
crafter67
Aug 18, 2011 8:50 AM CDT
Yes, gold diggers come in all shapes, sizes, and genders.
Jingo
Aug 18, 2011 8:29 AM CDT
Too bad Bush didn't find about about this guy.  He would have made a perfect replacement for Saddam Husein.
NYC_BIgBlue
Aug 18, 2011 6:23 AM CDT
I wonder how often this couple had sex.

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