In 1950, the Austrian government, unaware of Heim's release, asked American authorities in Germany to turn him over for prosecution. The American government responded by stating that they were unsure of Heim's whereabouts.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Heim had traveled to Berlin, where he purchased a 42-unit apartment building. According to purchase documents that were subsequently obtained by the Associated Press, Heim made the purchase in his own name and listed a home address in Mannheim. Heim later moved to Baden-Baden and opened a gynecology clinic, which he also operated under his own name.
Heim continued to live his life and to evade authorities until 1961, when the German government became aware of his location. For unknown reasons, German authorities waited until September 1962 to move in on him. Unfortunately, by that time, Heim had been alerted about his impending arrest and moved on. Amazingly, Heim continued to collect the rent from the tenants of his Berlin apartments for another 18 years until the property was seized in 1979 by German authorities.
In 1979, Heim opened a psychiatry clinic in Spain. He continued to run the practice until 1983, when he disappeared, possibly tipped off about another pending arrest. Some investigators believe that Heim then spent several years traveling through Argentina, Paraguay, Egypt, and Brazil.
According to tax records, an attorney representing Heim contacted German authorities in 2001. He stated that because Heim was living abroad, the German government should refund all of the capital gains taxes that it had leveled against his bank accounts.
Dr. Zuroff received a tip in 2005 that Heim had returned to Spain to live in Palafrugell. Odessa, the "Organization of Former Members of the SS," allegedly helped Heim to escape capture and relocated him to either another part of Spain or Denmark.
Suspicions that Heim was living in Chile were made public in 2006. Heim's daughter, Waltraud, who lives there, was questioned by Chilean authorities. She reported that her father had died of cancer in 1993. She then attempted to collect one million dollars from a bank account in her father's name. However, she was denied the request after she was unable to produce a death certificate.
In 2007, former Israeli Air Force Colonel Danny Baz announced that he, along with a Nazi-hunting team codenamed "The Owl," had captured Heim in Canada. In addition, he reported that the team had taken Heim to Santa Catalina Island, California, and killed him. However, Baz was unable to provide any proof of the alleged incident. As a result, most people believe that the story was fabricated by Baz.
According to Dr. Zuroff, in the last five years, approximately $300,000 has been transferred from Heim's bank accounts to Spain and Denmark. Valued at $1,350,000, officials in Germany say there is proof that the accounts belong to Heim. Dr. Zuroff believes that the bank accounts prove that Heim is still alive.
"In the past, money has exposed Nazi war criminals, such as Schwammberger in Argentina," Dr. Zuroff told News.bbc.co.uk. He added, "This was a great success, and we hope to add another one very soon."
Dr. Zuroff refused to comment about the information he received regarding Heim's living in Chile. However, he did say that he expected Heim to be in custody within a "couple of weeks."
The Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Austrian and German governments are currently offering a total reward of $495,000 for information leading to the capture of Aribert Heim. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Federal Ministry of Justice at +43/1/52152/2710 or post@bmj.gv.at.
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