On Christmas Eve morning, 1907, a Major von Schoenebeck was found dead in his bedroom at Allenstein, East Prussia. It was initially thought to be suicide, but his revolver was fully loaded, and a Captain von Goeben was soon arrested.
The Reuters report of the murder included the following : -
"The arrested captain has had an adventurous career. He originally entered the Navy, but had to leave while still a cadet through an accident. He afterwards entered the artillery, resigning with the rank of captain in 1899. He then joined the Boer Army, fought before Ladysmith, and afterwards commanded a column under General De Wet in the Orange Free State, where he was severely wounded. Subsequently he led a mixed Boer-German commando under General Louis Botha. The "Times" history of the war in South Africa speaks in the highest terms of his leadership. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Diamond Hill, and was again wounded. In 1900 he returned to Germany, and entered the General Staff. Two years later he was sent to Macedonia, where he was present at many a komitaji fight, making a report on the proceedings of the bands to the German Government. Since his arrest he has sent in his papers." He was aged 39 at the time of his arrest.
newspapers.library.wales/view/4228235/4228237/14/
At the trial it emerged that von Goeben had been a lover of Frau von Schoenebeck, that the major had caught him leaving her room, and that von Goeben had instantly shot him. He was sentenced to death, but killed himself in his cell by taking poison (although it was also reported that he opened an artery in his neck).
trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/91043271
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this link gives a full description of the crime and how von Goeben was caught)
