Murder, Mystery & Makeup: "She Kept Her Secret Lover in the Attic for 10 Years and No One Knew?!"

Host: Bailey Sarian
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Podcast: Murder, Mystery & Makeup
Produced by: Audioboom Studios

Introduction

In this gripping episode, Bailey Sarian delves into one of the most twisted true crime stories of the 20th century. Titled "She Kept Her Secret Lover in the Attic for 10 Years and No One Knew?!", the episode intertwines dark mysteries with Bailey's signature blend of makeup artistry, creating an engaging narrative that captivates both true crime enthusiasts and fans of her beauty content.

Early Life of Dolly Corshell

The story begins over a century ago with Valbooga Corshell, affectionately known as Dolly, born in Germany in 1880. Seeking the American dream, Dolly's family settled on a modest farm in the rural Midwest. Growing up in isolation, Dolly yearned for a different life, reminiscent of the aspirations seen in films like Pearl.

“In her early 20s, Dolly left the farm and found what she thought was an escape.” (04:15)

Marriage to Fred Oesterich

Dolly's quest for a new life led her to Fred Oesterich, a wealthy and respected businessman who owned a successful apron factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their marriage appeared to be the perfect union on the surface—Fred was charming, well-connected, and affluent. However, the reality was starkly different.

“Life inside the Oesterich home was a different story. Fred loved drinking whiskey, which made him pretty gruff and unpredictable,” Bailey narrates (12:30). This lifestyle left Dolly feeling sexually unsatisfied and emotionally neglected, planting the seeds for her future actions.

Affair with Otto Sanhuber

To escape her unhappy marriage, Dolly began an affair with Otto Sanhuber, a shy and lanky 17-year-old employed to fix her sewing machine. Their clandestine relationship grew intense, leading Dolly to make the drastic decision to keep Otto hidden in the attic of their home.

“Otto, the quiet 17-year-old lover, agreed to move into the Oesterich attic,” Bailey explains (22:45).

Dolly imposed strict rules on Otto, restricting his human contact solely to their encounters. The attic became Otto's secluded world, filled only with books and minimal comforts, isolating him from society and binding him further to Dolly.

The Murder

By 1918, tensions at home escalated as Fred's drinking worsened, resulting in violent arguments between him and Dolly. On August 22, 1922, during one such heated argument, Otto decided to intervene.

“With him, he was carrying two .25 caliber pistols,” Bailey recounts (35:10).

Otto entered the fray silently and shot Fred three times, killing him instantly. In the chaos, Otto instructed Dolly to hide in the closet and attempted to stage the scene as a robbery gone wrong.

Investigation and Aftermath

The police investigation initially suspected a robbery due to the missing gold watch and Dolly being locked in the closet. They arrested a man named James Casey, found with the missing pistols, but later realized he wasn't connected to the crime. Suspicion turned towards Dollys' situation when no solid evidence linked Otto or Dolly directly to the murder.

“Police didn't check the attic because why would they, you know?” Bailey muses (50:25).

Dolly, with the help of her new lover Roy Klum, disposed of the murder weapons in the La Brea Tar Pits, making the evidence nearly impossible to retrieve.

Trials and Legal Proceedings

As the investigation progressed, inconsistencies emerged. Dolly’s mysteriously "found" gold watch and her behavior raised red flags. Roy Klum eventually confessed to disposing of the guns, bringing more scrutiny to Dolly’s actions.

In 1930, Otto confessed to the murder, albeit claiming he was under Dolly's control. The media sensationalized the case, dubbing Otto "the Batman" due to his hidden existence in the attic.

“The trial concluded with Otto being found guilty of manslaughter, but he was released nine days later due to the statute of limitations,” Bailey states (1:05:40).

Dolly faced her own trial in August 1930. Despite Otto's confession, there was insufficient evidence to convict her. The jury became deadlocked, and the charges were dismissed in 1936, allowing Dolly to walk free.

Conclusion and Legacy

After the trials, Dolly and Otto parted ways. Dolly remarried Ray Hedrick, a man fifteen years her junior, while Otto changed his name to Walter Klein to escape his notorious past. Dolly lived comfortably until her death in 1961, never facing legal repercussions for her actions. Otto, burdened by his past, passed away in 1948 and was buried in Hollywood.

“She kept her lover in the attic for 10 years. Consumed by love, lust, and loyalty...” Bailey reflects (1:20:30).

The scandal of Dolly Corshell inspired various cultural adaptations, including films like The Bliss of Miss Blossom (1968), The Man in the Attic (1995), and The Lover in the Attic (2018), cementing her story as a notorious example of manipulation and obsession.

“Who keeps a lover in the attic for 10 years? Do you even think Otto should have gotten longer jail time?” Bailey questions (1:25:50).

Notable Quotes

• “In her early 20s, Dolly left the farm and found what she thought was an escape.” (04:15)
• “Life inside the Oesterich home was a different story. Fred loved drinking whiskey, which made him pretty gruff and unpredictable,” (12:30)
• “Otto, the quiet 17-year-old lover, agreed to move into the Oesterich attic,” (22:45)
• “With him, he was carrying two .25 caliber pistols,” (35:10)
• “Police didn't check the attic because why would they, you know?” (50:25)
• “The trial concluded with Otto being found guilty of manslaughter, but he was released nine days later due to the statute of limitations,” (1:05:40)
• “Who keeps a lover in the attic for 10 years? Do you even think Otto should have gotten longer jail time?” (1:25:50)

Final Thoughts

Bailey Sarian masterfully weaves a tale of love, obsession, and deception, highlighting the complexities of human relationships and the extremes to which individuals might go to preserve their desires. This episode serves as a chilling reminder of how dark secrets can fester within the confines of a seemingly ordinary household.

If you enjoyed this summary, consider listening to the full episode of "Murder, Mystery & Makeup" for a more immersive experience.