Was Carl Edon the Reincarnation of German Pilot Heinrich Richter?

The more I look into reincarnation stories, the more I am blown away by the detailed memories of the people who believe they've had past lives. Not only do they have memories from an early age, they also seem to be born with the memories intact and take it for granted that their family will automatically understand what they are talking about.

Carl Edon's Extraordinary (True?) Story

For these individuals it's normal to suddenly say, 'I used to be a pilot' or 'I was Anne Frank', which are amazing real-life reincarnation stories in their own right. But the one thing that is missing from a lot of the stories is proof. Real, solid proof. And this is why the story of Carl Edon is so extraordinary.

Apart from the memories that Carl insisted were true, there is a bizarre and stunning twist to the story!

'I Was a German Bomber Pilot'

Carl Edon was born on December 29th, 1972, in Middlesborough, England. His parents, James and Valerie Edon, were Christians and attended the Church of England services. Neither of them believed in reincarnation; in fact, it wasn't something that was ever spoken about in the home.

When Carl was three years old, he began to tell a startling and rather disturbing story. He said he remembered being a German bomber pilot.

How Did a 3-Year-Old Know About World War II?

His parents were really confused. Where on Earth did he get these strange stories from? He knew that they didn't have any books on the subject of the Second World War, and because of Carl's young age, there was no way that he could have read or seen these stories. His father, James, soon began to take an interest and was the first to start an investigation into the stories.

Carl's Detailed Memories of the War

'I Crashed a Plane Through a Window'.

These were the first words of Carl Edon as he began to insist that he was a German pilot. He repeated these words many times over the years, and he always swiftly followed them with the Nazi salute. When asked what his name had been, he replied 'Robert, and my father's name was Fritz'. But he was still slightly vague on the names.

He also insisted that he had been shot down in 1942! He claimed that he was on a bombing raid over England when he crashed.

His First Drawings Featured Nazi Imagery

He drew badges, swastikas and German insignias. This was when he was only two or three years old and had just started to learn how to draw pictures. Not only that, he would draw pictures of the plane with swastikas on it. This was closely followed by an eagle which closely resembled the German eagle emblem.

He Remembered Specific Details About His Plane and Air Base

By the time he was six years old, he had drawn a detailed plan of an airplane cockpit, and he described what the different gauges were for. He also told of a red foot pedal that would release the bombs. He then stunned his parents by explaining that the plane was a German Messerschmidt! But he wasn't sure. He believed that the number on the plane was either 101 or 104.

Carl's parents were totally involved in trying to work out the details, and one night when they were watching a program about the Holocaust, Carl said that he believed his air base was close to a concentration camp. They were not sure which one.

He Claimed to Have Lost a Leg—And Had a Birthmark to Prove It

Carl gave detailed information about how 'he' had lost his right leg in the crash, and in a strange twist, Carl had a large birthmark on his groin at the top of his right leg. Studies have shown that when someone tells of a past life, there is often something on the body of the claimant that corresponds to the original past-life person.

Carl's Peculiar Personal Traits

At School, He Portrayed German Characters and Goose-Stepped

Even at school, Carl's memories would come forward, and when a school play was casting for a German character, he would insist on taking the part. By the time he was eleven, Carl was showing how he could do the goose step, the typical march of a German pilot or soldier. When his classmates began to laugh at him, he decided that it was time to stop sharing his memories.

He Had the Traits of a Soldier

Psychologically, Carl also showed traits of his past life by being meticulously neat and tidy. When he stood to listen to someone, he would adopt a straight stance, as though he was a soldier—even down to the fact that he had his hands firmly by his sides.

He Was an Aryan Blond

Carl didn't even look like his parents. They were very dark-haired, but Carl was blond. He did have blue eyes like his mother, but the rest of the family had brown eyes. As Hitler would have said, he would be a perfect candidate for the Aryan race.

But Where's the Proof?

The trouble with all of these memories and stories was that, at the time, they could not be corroborated. There was no proof, no documentation—nothing.

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But soon something happened that was so strange, it went beyond the realm of sheer disbelief.

As a man casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body entereth into ones that are new.

— Epictetus

Facts About Heinrich Richter's Crash

In 1942, Heinrich Richter was shot down in his Dornier bomber airplane, along with three other crew members. The details of the crash include the fact that the plane had been damaged by anti-aircraft fire before it crashed into a barrage balloon and fell from the sky.

Three of the pilots were recovered and buried in Thornaby, approximately four miles from Middlesborough, just after the plane crashed. Here is where the story gets slightly weird! Within the wreckage, the three bodies did not include Heinrich Richter!

Richter's Body Wasn't Found Until 1997

At the time of Carl's memories of reincarnation, Heinrich was not even known to have been in the plane. Then, in 1997, 25 years after Carl had told his story, more wreckage was discovered! It was buried off Tilbury Road in Middlesborough.

When the plane was dug up, they discovered another body—that of Heinrich Richter. What's more, when they removed the remains of the body, they found that Heinrich had lost his right leg in the crash, and the leg was still in his boot! Remember, Carl told of 'his' leg being severed, and in this lifetime, he had a huge birthmark in the same place as the recovered body!

But that's not all!

Stunning Photographs Emerge

New photographs of Heinrich Richter emerged after a local historian took up the tale and doggedly followed it through with enormous amounts of research. When the photos of Edon and Richter are placed together, there is an uncanny resemblance between the two men!

As you can see in the photograph, they could have been brothers—or, as it seems in this case, the same man! Carl's mother Val was completely stunned. 'It has to be him', she whispered.

But, sadly, the story doesn't end there.

The Most Bizarre Twist of All: Carl Edon's Murder

Two years before the discovery of the downed bomber airplane and the recovery of Heinrich Richter's body, Carl Edon was murdered.

It was 1995. Douglas Vinter, better known as Gary Vinter, was working alongside Carl Edon at Loudhaul's Grangetown yard train depot. Vinter, who had a history of extreme violence, suddenly turned on Carl, and in a few seconds of complete horror, he stabbed the young man 37 times. He punctured every single one of Carl Edon's organs.

Carl left behind his girlfriend, Michelle; their daughter, 22-month-old Sophie; and his parents. Two months later, Michelle gave birth to his second daughter, Carla.

Incredible Similarities Between Edon and Richter's Deaths

On the day that Gary Vinter carried out his vile attack and murder, Carl Edon had traveled to Skinningrove to collect train carriages. He was 22 years old.

More than 40 years earlier, on the day that Heinrich Richter died, his plane had bombed Skinningrove and flew on to Middlesborough, following the railway line. He was 24 years old.

Carl Edon and Heinrich Richter had both died taking the same route to their death.

Vinter Committed Another Murder

Gary Vinter was given a life sentence after the brutal murder of Carl Edon. He only served 10 years before being let out on licence. He soon went on to meet mother-of-four Anne White, and they married in 2006.

Her family warned her to get away from him, but she refused. Soon she was telling her friends that she wanted to leave him but was too scared. He attacked Anne and went back to prison, only to return after his release and murder her. He is now serving a life sentence.

Edon's Family Found Peace After Burying Richter

Carl Edon's mother, Val, was firmly convinced that Carl was indeed the reincarnation of Heinrich Richter. At the funeral of Richter, which took place after his body was found in 1997, Val and Jim (Carl's father) said that standing at Richter's grave felt 'eerie' and 'it was like they were burying Carl all over again'.

After the service, they said that they hoped this would be the end of it all now.

Strange Circumstances or Fate?

There are many tales of reincarnation, but this has to be the most bizarre, sad and poignant of them all. Carl was reincarnated, and then he was cruelly taken once again from this life. Even stranger was the fact that he died within feet of where he, as Heinrich, came down in the plane many years before.

With the discovery of Richter's plane and body in 1997, it is amazing to realise that there was no way Carl, who died in 1995, could have known the story of the missing pilot. Many tales of reincarnation leave a question mark: Did they somehow read about it? Did the boy or girl in question hear it from someone else? And then we have doubts.

There Can Be No Doubt

But in the case of Carl Edon and Heinrich Richter, there can be no doubt. There were certainly strange circumstances—or fate—that connected these deaths together with one soul and one place.

Why? We will never know.

More Tales of Reincarnation:

• Reincarnation of Jenny Cockell- The True story of a ...
  Reincarnation, The amazing true story of one woman's search for her past life family with amazing results!

© 2014 Nell Rose

Comments

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 26, 2020:

Hi Brian, that does sound fascinating. Thanks for reading.

brian from uk on March 25, 2020:

i beleave in this too its so over whelming not to beleave it, i have other reasons too but i will not now for sure until another year or two has passed provided i am still alive to witness it

unfortunately i have no past memories of another life only something out of this world non physical existance if you like but thats just me

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 04, 2019:

Thanks, Amanda!

Amanda Kahs on January 03, 2019:

I loved reading this, fascinating!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 03, 2018:

Hi SP, thanks so much! and always good to see you.

S P Austen from Qualicum Beach, BC, Canada on August 29, 2018:

Absolutely fascinating, Nell. Well written and well researched; you are a credit to this subject! Well done! Best wishes, Steve (SP Austen).

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 30, 2018:

Thanks so much Chrisentaiae!

Chrisentiae Saint-Piaf from Melbourne, Australia on January 30, 2018:

Hi Nell,

Thank you for your interesting article. Well written and presented.

I shared in at my Facebook.

Trans Voices

https://www.facebook.com/groups/transvoices/

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on October 22, 2017:

Thank you Lynn! that's the best compliment ever!

Lynn Hammer on October 21, 2017:

I just binge read all of your stuff. Fantastic. You've just earned a fan for life!!!!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on October 12, 2017:

Thanks James, now that really made me laugh!

James Tyburius Kirk on October 11, 2017:

That is one of the best stories I’ve ever read. But I don’t really read much.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on October 05, 2017:

Thanks for the email Sarah, your reincarnation story sounds fascinating, I look forward to hearing from you!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 31, 2017:

Hi Margery, sounds fascinating, have you a link? thanks

Margery Phelps on August 29, 2017:

I have clear memories of past lives and have a photo of me at Margaret's grave - Margaret was my incarnation prior to this one. I tell the story in my novel, "Finding Margaret - a case for reincarnation." My case is documented in medical and legal records.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 05, 2017:

Hi Larry, that is amazing! and yes I totally believe you! I have had real dreams and memories that never go away, and I know they are real, so I get what you are feeling, thank you for reading.

Larry Donaldson on August 05, 2017:

I have always believed that I died at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. Since I could ever remember I could name the time of the attack, the ships class and names that were present to include the BB's (battleships), CA's and CL's (cruisers), some of the destroyers (DD's), the seaplane tender Curtiss, and to include saying the USS Colorado was lucky because if it had been there instead of in Bremerton,WA, it would have been bombed also. I can remember being trapped below decks and drowning. To this day I have a great fear of deep water.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on July 06, 2017:

Hi John, thanks for reading. No Carl's mother had no connection the Heinrich Richter, at least as much as possibly known. Released on licensed means that the prisoner is released early from prison but has to report once a week to the police station or prison. They have to behave or else the slightest thing will shove them straight back inside! in a word they are still prisoners only allowed to live outside. thanks

John000 on July 05, 2017:

Was Carl Edon's mother connected in any way to Heinrich Richter? She could have been his mother. Forgive me, I am an American, what does released on license mean? This hub really got the neck hairs bristling.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 18, 2017:

How fascinating Curt! and I totally believe you! I have had some pretty weird reincarnation dreams myself so I would say yes you know what your talking about! thanks for reading!

Curt on June 18, 2017:

I too must have been in the German Army during WW2. In 3rd grade I got in trouble for goose stepping in the classroom, and I would draw pictures of German soldiers carrying Nazi flags. To this day I'm attracted to the German military machine. I was stationed in Germany in the early 80's, and I felt like I had been there before. I be

I eve this story is true. God Bless Heinrich and Carl.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on May 12, 2017:

Lol! Thanks Trent, glad to help!

Trent on May 11, 2017:

I've been looking for this story for years. I saw this story when I was 5 or 6 and am now 29, after all these years I only had a couple of details wrong, that's how much this story stuck with me. I'm a Christian but I've even saw a bible quote that leads me to believe reincarnation is possible but I won't know for sure until this life is over. Thanks for the article been driving myself crazy looking for this story for years on and off haha.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 08, 2016:

Hi ShrutiJeyaram, thanks so much for reading!

ShrutiJeyaram on August 08, 2016:

Such a wonderful article. Very very interesting read. I've never enjoyed my evenings more. Thank you so so much for this. Though I don't believe much in ghosts and reincarnations and all these supernatural stuff, I thoroughly enjoy your articles. Great going. You make my days wonderful.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on July 06, 2016:

Thanks MJG for your added information. That's fascinating! The say the truth is stranger than fiction, and amazing that you live near enough to know the real full story, so thank you!

MJG on July 04, 2016:

Also, must add, Carl's parents, who must have been in their 60s at the time, came across in the interview as a very normal non nonsense local couple. There was no sensationalising in any way.

MJG on July 03, 2016:

I want to add to comment just to say i live in Middlesbrough and the first I ever heard of this amazing case was when Carl Edon's parents were interviewed on the local news having attended the funeral for the nazi pilot. Alot of the above facts were covered in the news story - this has not been spun by the author. The main that sticks in my mind is the interview with his parents and the looks of absolute bewilderment on their faces and in theior words. They were ABSOLUTELY GOBSMACKED that this pilot had been discovered. I remember they said they attended the funeral as they felt it was someone who they knew and had to! I had my doubts as to the true nature of the news story as it appeared and only followed it up on the internet a few years later and nowhere have any of the facts been changed. Bizarre as it is, this really happened.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 06, 2016:

Thanks mary, glad you liked it!

Mary Guimont from Pacific Northwest on March 06, 2016:

Great Story I enjoyed reading it very much.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 10, 2016:

Thanks Randa, great to meet you! and thanks for liking and reading, nell

Randa Awn Handler from USA on February 10, 2016:

I'm new to this hubbing thing! I'm glad I started hubbing because you can discover cool stories here and there, like yours. I just finished writing a hub on psychics and mediums just because many 'fake' ones give the possible 'real' ones a bad name. I'm always intrigued by stories like yours because not everything can be explained. That's really the mystery of life! Enjoyed the read!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 05, 2016:

Hi Perspcacious, thanks so much for reading, and I look forward to reading all about it! nell

Demas W Jasper from Today's America and The World Beyond on January 04, 2016:

Fine Hub. One day I will write one or two you will like about this same subject in a different part of the world. Give me time. One thing to remember: With God, all things are possible.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 29, 2015:

Thanks Genee, yep you got a point there! thanks again, nell

Joanna McKenna from Central Oklahoma on June 29, 2015:

As many crime shows tell us, stabbing someone 37 times is "personal". Therefore I have to wonder who Gary Vinter was in his most recent life. Perhaps a German airman who'd known and had a grudge against Heinrich Richter? Or a Brit who was killed (or whose family was killed) in a German air raid who reacted to Carl Edon's "German-ness" and snapped? Just sayin'...

Voted up and interesting! ;D

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 26, 2015:

Thanks so much Silva! :)

Silva Hayes from Spicewood, Texas on June 24, 2015:

Another fascinating and thought-provoking article, Nell.

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on June 21, 2015:

My pleasure Nell. I enjoy your hubs as well, too.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 20, 2015:

Thanks for reading Kristen, glad you liked it, nell

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on June 18, 2015:

Nell, that's pretty much freaky and scary thought about reincarnation, past and present. Voted up for interesting!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 09, 2015:

G'Day Aladdins! LOL! thanks from lil' old England! have a fabulous day, nell

Gus Pegel from Melbourne, Australia on June 09, 2015:

Fantastic read. Thank you for that. So good, I tweeted page for you.

Lets see if others come and read. Gave you thumbs up

Cheers from DOWNUNDER

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 22, 2015:

Thanks again april!

aprilsemogan on April 20, 2015:

Yes indeed, it made me think twice. It really do happen, and i'm like, whoah! It is so fascinating that I have been thinking about it for days.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 19, 2015:

Hi pinkhawk, thanks so much for reading, yes a very sad ending, nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 19, 2015:

Thanks so much torrilynn, glad you liked it, nell

torrilynn on April 18, 2015:

this was an interesting read indeed.

pinkhawk from Pearl of the Orient on April 17, 2015:

Wow! This really caught my attention and curiosity... sad that it ended that way.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 16, 2015:

Thanks for reading Tracy, I am so glad you liked it. The stories of reincarnation fascinate me, that's why I have to write about them. The Ghost inside My Child producers recently contacted me to ask if anyone knows of new stories of reincarnation, the info is on my other article, children that have been reincarnated, if you are interested. thanks, nell.

Tracy on April 16, 2015:

Jackie Lynnley, I had to laugh out loud when I read your comment. I have no idea what reincarnation and witchcraft have in common, but let me be the first to tell you the answer....NOTHING..LOL!! This was an amazing read, I love reading stories about reincarnation, this one is sad, but many are not. If you like this type of reading, check out the series on TLC called The Ghost Inside my Child! It's pretty cool!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 16, 2015:

Hi april, thanks so much for reading, yes it does make you think doesn't it?

aprilsemogan on April 15, 2015:

Wow! This is a fascinating story and i had a great time reading it. I am not a believer of reincarnations, however, this story made me think twice. I even researched Heinrich Richter. Voted you up, loved this hub. Hoping to read more from you soon.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 15, 2015:

Thanks so much for reading melissa, glad you liked it, nell

Melissa Reese Etheridge from Tennessee, United States on April 14, 2015:

This is such an interesting piece. I almost believe it myself.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 14, 2015:

Hi Ben, long time no see! lol! thanks for reading, nell

Ben Zoltak from Lake Mills, Jefferson County, Wisconsin USA on April 14, 2015:

What Darcie French from B.C, said ^^^

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 13, 2015:

Thanks darcie, it certainly seems that way, how lovely! thanks so much for reading, nell

Darcie French from BC Canada on April 13, 2015:

We change bodies like we change clothing until we decide to transcend the material and live for eternity in the spiritual sky.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 29, 2015:

Hi Barbara, yes that's so true! I still am not sure what to think of it! lol! thanks as always, nell

Barbara Badder from USA on March 28, 2015:

Nell, All I can say is this story is really odd. I enjoyed it. It makes one really wonder.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 28, 2015:

Hi Lizzy, I totally agree with you about animals, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if people came back as animals! I had a strange encounter a couple of years ago.

My best friend died, but for many years she always told me she would love to have been a dog, she worshiped them. she loved bichon frise' dogs. One day I was sitting down the park, its huge, among hundreds of people as it was really hot, and about five hundred feet away a woman came over the little hill with her bichon dog, out of all the people there, it spotted me, ran across the field and jumped in my lap! it went on to lick my face, snuggle down and try to go to sleep! the owner was mortified but I was stunned! maybe its just wishful thinking, but.....anyway thanks lizzy, nell

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on March 28, 2015:

This is a topic I find most fascinating, and you find so many of these stories about which to write, Nell!

I do think there is more evidence for reincarnation and ghosts than there is for any of the religious dogmas about the "afterlife."

Also, I believe not only people can come back. I do think one of our current kitties is at least, in part, one who left us too young of a mystery illness at only 4-1/2 years of age. She has SO many of the same habits/likes, and is a near look-alike, right down to the stubby tail, except that "Bobbie" is as white as "Sootsie" was black. If cats could talk...

Voted up+++ and shared

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 28, 2015:

Thanks again delia, glad you liked it, nell

Delia on March 25, 2015:

Another great story! Well done Nell, I enjoyed reading it...It must be traumatic to have these memories of another person living inside of you.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 12, 2015:

Hi W.R. yes I get what you mean, the patterns are called pareidolia and simulacra, that reminds me, I wrote a hub about those! lol! I do think in the case of Carl it maybe helped his family after his 'second' death to accept it more, while ignoring the obvious mistakes, thanks for coming back, nell

W. R. Shaw from Pacific Northwest, USA on March 11, 2015:

I agree -- it is interesting from the psychological standpoint. And it was interesting enough for me to look into it further and discover that Richter was not a pilot after all, but a turret gunner. You might be interested in reading some of the work of Ray Hyman, who has spent a lifetime fascinated by the way the very mechanisms that allow the human mind to operate so quickly and efficiently also cause it to be easily fooled. For example, the pattern recognition that allows us to immediately recognize a human face leads us to pick out face-like patterns in random stuff (like smoke, or wallpaper) and interpret them as faces. You're right about being cool stuff!