On September 15, 2023, in Czerniki village located in northern Poland, law enforcement agents stumbled upon a harrowing scene. Within a residence that had earned the moniker “house of horrors” among villagers, the remains of three newborn children were found.
The inhabitants of this home, Piotr Gierasik, 54, and his daughter Paulina Gierasik, 20, are now subjects of an investigation, suspecting an incestuous relationship.
An exhaustive search operation revealed the infants, each encased in black plastic. The estimated time of death for one of them is around three weeks. They were located in a pit, which could be accessed through a dim, unsteady corridor. Available data suggests Piotr’s paternity for all three infants, with two born to Paulina and one to her sibling.
Community members had, in the past, taken note of the unusually close bond between the father and daughter. Comments from Paulina’s colleagues at a cake shop in an adjoining village highlight this peculiar relationship. They recounted instances like Piotr’s act of shaving Paulina’s head to make her unattractive to men, and her deep reverence towards him.
Suspicion burgeoned when Paulina’s unexpected early return from a break was accompanied by a significantly leaner appearance. Observations such as her using belts like a corset led colleagues to theorize about a potential pregnancy. These speculations were, however, rebuffed by Paulina. Her father’s regular involvement in her daily commute and her referring to him by his first name added to the growing doubts. Some colleagues even claim to have viewed text messages, suggesting the existence of a then-living child.
Katarzyna Matyszczak, Paulina’s workplace manager, alluded to the prevailing chatter about the family. When directly addressed about a potential pregnancy, Paulina refuted the claim.
Some locals, however, were taken aback by the arrests. They recollected Piotr’s public display of being a dutiful father, engaging in activities like forest excursions with his children.
The duo now stand accused of crimes, including murder and incest. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment. A conclusive cause for the infants’ demise awaits the results from the autopsy.