From: ka
Merano – On July 23, the South Tyrolean “escape king” Max Leitner died at the age of only 66. After a failed attempt to become independent, the promising young man went astray. Since his first coup landed him straight in prison, he was never able to become a successful criminal.
Carabinieri – archive
But he became famous as the “escape king”. Since a “normal life” is full of constraints, many people looked up with admiration to a man who repeatedly managed to outwit the justice system and escape from prison. Through his adventurous escapes, Max Leitner, who saw himself as a victim of the justice system all his life, became something of a Robin Hood figure, which the intelligent “tough guy” was also able to consciously portray himself as.
The cult surrounding the South Tyrolean “escape king”, which he himself and some media outlets cultivated so lovingly, could not, however, hide the fact that Max Leitner, who spent almost half of his life – 26 years – behind bars, would have been released many years ago if he had behaved well. But “good behavior” was not his thing. He remained in the headlines almost until the very end, when a serious illness began to affect him more and more.
South Tyrol
Max Leitner may have become famous as the “escape king”, but his restlessness did not allow him to give up his “wild life”. In contrast to those of “normal South Tyroleans”, his life may fill books, but ultimately his life proves once again that a criminal career is rarely worthwhile.
He sought freedom, but had to spend 26 years in bondage. He sought independence, but was never able to truly achieve it. May his soul now find the rest and peace that it was denied on earth. Rest in peace, Max Leitner.
