r medical treatment. Von Cosel immediately fell in love with her but Elena didn't return his affection. Von Cosel did all he could to save her from death but in the end was unable to. Elena died on October 25, 1931. Von Cosel struck with grief gained permission from Elena's remaining family to build a large, above ground, mausoleum.
It was said that Von Cosel visited her mausoleum every night. Soon simply visiting her wasn't enough. He stole her body late one night and brought it back to his home. Using, piano wire, and silk cloth soaked in wax patched Elena's body together as it decomposed along with perfume, disinfectants, and preserving agents to cover the smell. Elena's sister heard strange rumors that Von Cosel was sleeping with Elena's body and went to his home to confront him when she stumble upon her sister's body. Horrified she contact the Key West authorities and Von Cosel was arrested. He stood trail on the grounds of wantonly and maliciously destroying a grave and removing a body without authorization but the case was eventually dismissed due to the statue of limitations.
Elena's body was examined and put on display at Dean-Lopez Funeral Home where over 8,000 people filled past it. She was eventually reburied in a secret location. Von Cosel moved to a different part of Florida and wrote an autobiography about Elena's death and his love for her. He died on July 3, 1952. His body was discovered on the floor of his home three weeks after his death. In the room, there was a metal cylinder on a shelf above a table, in it wrapped in silken cloth and a robe was a waxen image of Elena... talk about bizarre..
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