Crime House Daily: First Watch

Episode: Lorenz Kraus Admits to Murdering Parents on LIVE TV

Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Katie Ring (Crime House Host)

Overview

This First Watch episode presents breaking coverage on two chilling family-centered crime cases. The main focus is the shocking case of Lorenz Kraus, who confessed to killing his parents live during a TV interview, turning an old missing-persons file into a high-stakes double homicide probe. The episode details the developments, confession, background, and potential legal complications of this unusual and disturbing case. Earlier in the episode, the host also breaks down the Muhammad AH Muhammad family murder-for-hire case—another example of familial betrayal leading to criminal justice intervention.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Muhammad AH Muhammad Murder-for-Hire Plot

(00:41–12:10, 13:18–17:13)

• Background:

  • Muhammad, an Alabama plumber, sought to hire a hitman to murder his estranged wife (“SA”) and six adult children.
  • The “hitman” was actually an undercover FBI agent, contacted after a friend tipped off law enforcement.

• History of Abuse:

  • Years of abusive behavior, threats, ER visits, and repeated violations of restraining orders.
  • Multiple incidents of arson targeting family vehicles; evidence insufficient for prior charges.

• Investigation and Arrest:

  • Muhammad bought burner phones and set up a meeting with the undercover agent, offering $5,000 per child and $20,000 for his wife.
  • Quoting Muhammad:

    “Six kids and the mom. You pick and choose who you gonna take out and get paid.” (15:08, Crime House Host quoting court docs) “Start with one. Take your time. Second, third, fourth, five. I don't give. Just start with one.” (15:44, Crime House Host quoting Muhammad)

• Outcome:

  • Pled guilty to all charges in September 2025; faces up to 10 years for each count.
  • Host’s reflection on leniency and gaps in the justice system regarding domestic violence and stalking.

• Notable Commentary:

  “If he was locked up after putting a family member in the hospital, none of this would have ever happened.” (16:57, Crime House Host)

2. Lorenz Kraus: A Live, Televised Confession

(17:13–27:59)

Background & Family History

• Who is Lorenz Kraus?

  • Son of Franz (Yugoslav survivor of Soviet camp) and Teresa Kraus (born in Germany).
  • Family immigrated to the US; younger sister Rosa died of cancer at 16—formative for Lorenz.
  • Lorenz: Albany High grad, business degree, some unsuccessful ventures (including cryptocurrency and “private cash devices”).

• Parents’ Decline:

  • Franz was deaf, needed cataract surgery; Teresa showed cognitive decline.
  • Lorenz claims worry about their future and “societal crisis” of aging; family history of Alzheimer’s.

The Crime (How, When, Why)

• Motive:

  • Claims “mercy killing” to spare parents the decline he witnessed in his sister's painful death.
  • took his mother’s complaint of a fall as a cue for action.

• Confession of Method:

  • Went to parents’ house in August 2017.
  • Suffocated father Franz by hand, strangled mother Teresa with a rope.

  “It was… so quick. They were aware of what I was doing while it was happening and I believed they wanted me to kill them even though they never explicitly said so.” (21:44, Crime House Host paraphrasing Kraus)

  • Buried bodies in backyard, marking Teresa’s grave with a lamb statue and planting a peach tree.

• Aftermath:

  • Lived off his parents’ Social Security checks, claimed he “donated most of the money.”
  • Financial investigation by government in 2025 leads to the discovery of their remains.

Ideological and Political Extremism

• Online Activity:

  • Wrote for neo-Nazi blog, Renegade Tribune—posted extremist and antisemitic content.
  • Ran for president in New Hampshire on a platform to divide the US against “deep state” control.

• Current Ventures:

  • Founded a so-far unsuccessful fintech company in the Philippines.

The Televised Confession

• Leadup:

  • After the bodies were found, Lorenz emails local CBS 6 news director Stone Grissom a two-page manifesto.
  • Stone contacts Lorenz and arranges a trade: publication of his statement for an in-person interview.
  • Lorenz arrives within the hour, greeted by security precautions.

• Live Interview (Key Details):

  • Initially pleads the Fifth, then, under questioning, admits to the murders.

    “After describing his father’s death, Lorenz says about his mother: ‘I finished her.’” (23:32, Crime House Host paraphrasing Kraus on CBS 6)

  • Thanks news director before leaving; immediately arrested outside the studio.

• Legal Developments:

  • Pleaded not guilty at arraignment to second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse.
  • Held without bail awaiting trial.
  • The public nature of the confession may complicate jury selection and admissibility of the confession.

    “Journalists still aren't sure how Lorenz's confession will affect his case now that he's pleaded not guilty.” (26:52)

• Follow-Up Interview:

  • In jail, Lorenz tells anchor Greg Floyd he feels only “somewhat” relieved now that the secret is out.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Domestic Violence Failings (Muhammad case):

  "If he was locked up after putting a family member in the hospital, none of this would have ever happened."
  (16:57, Crime House Host)

• Lorenz’s Reasoning:

  "I did the right thing for them. Based on the situation, my concern for their misery was paramount."
  (22:34, Crime House Host quoting Kraus)

• On the TV Confession:

  "After describing his father's death, Lorenz says about his mother, 'I finished her.'"
  (23:32, Crime House Host paraphrasing Kraus on CBS 6)

• Potential Legal Complications:

  "Journalists still aren't sure how Lorenz's confession will affect his case now that he's pleaded not guilty."
  (26:52, Crime House Host)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening and Quick Recap of Both Cases: 00:41–01:46
• Muhammad AH Muhammad Story (Threats, Arson, Murder-for-Hire): 04:46–16:57
• Quoting Muhammad’s Hitman Conversations: 15:08–15:55
• Muhammad Pleads Guilty/Host’s Reflection: 16:57–17:13
• Introduction to Lorenz Kraus Case: 17:13–18:49
• Lorenz’s Background and Ideology: 18:49–21:30
• Confession Details & Burial: 21:30–23:32
• CBS 6 TV Confession/Arrest/Legal Fallout: 23:32–26:52
• Host Wrap-up and Reflections: 26:52–27:59

Tone and Language

Katie Ring maintains an analytical, matter-of-fact tone, with moments of candid emotion and advocacy for victims’ rights and for better systemic protection in cases of domestic abuse and familial homicide. She reserves judgment regarding legal guilt, emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven, and the evolving nature of the cases.

Summary/Conclusion

This episode of Crime House Daily delivers gripping, in-depth coverage of two cases where family ties ended in violence and betrayal:

• The Muhammad case highlights ongoing systemic failures in addressing domestic violence before it escalates to attempted mass murder.
• The Kraus case is a rare look at a killer’s public confession and political radicalism, raising broader questions about motive, mental state, and the interplay between ideology and crime.

With ongoing trials and new information still to come, listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for updates as both cases progress through the justice system.