Gardener killed doctor with bomb from beyond the grave in revenge mission, say police

A gardener who took his own life murdered a doctor from beyond the grave by leaving a homemade bomb which killed the medic, police in Germany have said.

Bernhard Graumann is also suspected of planting explosives outside the home of a second person – who escaped with only injuries.

Before he downed poison to kill himself, the 59-year-old is understood to have held long-running grudges against both victims.

Now, police in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate have taken the unusual step of warning anyone who may have had similar disputes with Graumann to be extra vigilante in case they were targeted.

The 64-year-old doctor – named only as Jorn K under German privacy laws – was killed last week after picking up a package left outside his surgery in the village of Enkenbach-Alsenborn, near Kaiserslautern.

When officers raided Graumann’s home in nearby Mehlingenc later that day, he was discovered already dead in a suspected suicide.

Guns and weapons were also found scattered around the house.

Officers said the father-of-two who lived alone, probably acquired expert knowledge of gunpowder as a member of a mediaeval war games re-enactment group.

The second bomb then went off in the neighbouring village of Otterberg, injuring a mother and daughter at their home over the weekend. It had been hidden in firewood.

Police suggested additional explosives may not yet have been discovered.

“Investigations found that in both cases Bernhard Graumann is suspicious,” the force said in a statement. “He had a personal or business connection with the victims. Graumann did not have a good relationship with these people. In both cases there had been previous conflicts.

“The possibility that the deceased made preparations before his death that could endanger other people’s lives and safety cannot be ruled out. In particular, anyone who had a problematic private or business relationship with Graumann is urged to contact the police immediately.”

Officers had received more than 60 calls by Wednesday morning.