Josef Fritzl timeline: from discovery to conviction

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- April 22: Police ask for DNA samples from Kerstin's blood and order DNA testing of Fritzl, his wife and their children as they try to establish identity of patient.

- April 25: Hospital officials appeal on TV for Kerstin's mother to come to clinic and provide a medical history.

- April 26: Fritzl and Elisabeth appear at clinic, along with two children - Kerstin's siblings, who, like Kerstin, were born and raised in windowless cell. Shortly after they appear, anonymous tipster calls police with suspicions that statements given by Fritzl and Elisabeth seem implausible. Police arrive, question both, and assure Elisabeth protection if she tells her story. Fritzl is arrested.

- April 28: Police say Fritzl confesses he imprisoned daughter in 1984, repeatedly raped her, fathered seven children with her and tossed body of infant who died into incinerator.

- April 29: DNA tests confirm Fritzl is biological father of Elisabeth's six surviving children.

- Nov. 13: Fritzl charged with homicide ("murder by neglect" in German) for infant's death.

2009

- March 16: Fritzl goes on trial. Pleads guilty to incest and forced imprisonment; not guilty to homicide and enslavement; and partially guilty to rape and coercion.

- March 18: In surprise twist, Fritzl pleads guilty to all charges amid disclosures that Elisabeth secretly visited trial.

- March 19: Prosecutor urges maximum life sentence.