The skull of legendary vampire film director FW Murnau was reported missing from his family plot, as some speculate possible occult motives for theft

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

In what sounds like a scene from one of his legendary horror films, the head of Nosferatu director FW Murnau, who died in 1931, has been stolen from his family plot in a cemetery in Germany.

The grave-robbing occurred in Stahnsdorf, about 12 miles south-west of central Berlin, according to Variety. The graves of Murnau’s brothers were reportedly not disturbed.

Wax residue is said to have been found near the grave, suggesting that candles had been lit, and a possible occult motive for the theft.

Murnau was best known for the expressionist classic 1922 black-and-white vampire horror, later remade by Werner Herzog. He also directed Sunrise, which won several Oscars at the first-ever Academy awards.

Murnau died in a car crash aged 42 in California and was buried in his native Germany.

Der Spiegel reports that the cemetery overseers are considering whether to seal Murnau’s grave. They added that this is not the first time that it has been disturbed.