<P> Carl Tanzler , or sometimes Count Carl von Cosel ( February 8 , 1877 -- July 3 , 1952 ) , was a German - born radiology technician at the Marine - Hospital Service in Key West , Florida . He developed an obsession for a young Cuban - American tuberculosis patient , Elena `` Helen '' Milagro de Hoyos ( July 31 , 1909 -- October 25 , 1931 ) , that carried on well after the disease had caused her death . In 1933 , almost two years after her death , Tanzler removed Hoyos ' body from its tomb , and lived with the corpse at his home for seven years until its discovery by Hoyos ' relatives and authorities in 1940 . </P>
<P> Carl Tanzler , or sometimes Count Carl von Cosel ( February 8 , 1877 -- July 3 , 1952 ) , was a German - born radiology technician at the Marine - Hospital Service in Key West , Florida . He developed an obsession for a young Cuban - American tuberculosis patient , Elena `` Helen '' Milagro de Hoyos ( July 31 , 1909 -- October 25 , 1931 ) , that carried on well after the disease had caused her death . In 1933 , almost two years after her death , Tanzler removed Hoyos ' body from its tomb , and lived with the corpse at his home for seven years until its discovery by Hoyos ' relatives and authorities in 1940 . </P>
doctor who fell in love with dead patient
doctor who fell in love with dead patient
Carl Tanzler
Carl Tanzler