The Strange Death of Heinrich Himmler: A Forensic Investigation

On May 23, 1945, SS leader Heinrich Himmler committed suicide while in British custody, thus escaping trial and execution for war crimes. Or did he?

British surgeon and forensics expert Hugh Thomas looks at the evidence and offers a surprising--and controversial--scenario. Available evidence is sketchy, and it doesn't help that the British government is keeping the files on the Himmler case sealed until 2045.

Still, Thomas suggests, on the strength of forensic evidence and eyewitness testimony, that Himmler's presumed corpse was in fact that of another person. And as for Himmler? It is unlikely, Thomas believes, that Himmler could have fallen by accident into Allied hands.

Thomas questions the facts and makes a strong case for doubting the report. The body examined by British military authorities may not have been Himmler's, and there seems to be sufficient reason to suspect a cover-up.

The carefully presented case is based on thorough research in the surviving documents and interviews with some of the people originally involved. No definite conclusions can be reached, however. Some crucial evidence has apparently disappeared, and other items will not be made public until the year 2045.

The author is an experienced forensic investigator who understands how to use the available facts and the importance of not jumping to conclusions.