Family of Formula 1 legend targeted by alleged plot to release sensitive images of the star after his 2013 accident
A former nurse of Michael Schumacher has been accused of involvement in an elaborate blackmail plot against the Formula 1 legend’s family. The nurse, whose identity remains undisclosed, is alleged to have joined a scheme to extort €15 million (£12.3m) by threatening to release intimate photos of Schumacher on the dark web.
Since his skiing accident in 2013, which left Schumacher with severe brain injuries, no images of the seven-time world champion have been made public. His family has fiercely guarded his privacy, as he has remained in a medically induced coma and continues his long recovery.
However, at a court hearing in Wuppertal, western Germany, evidence was presented linking a nurse to the criminal plot. Three individuals, including Schumacher’s former security guard, are accused of attempting to blackmail the family by threatening to release 900 photos and 583 videos. These materials allegedly depict the racing icon in a hospital bed and wheelchair, revealing the fragile state of his health.
The court heard that the images were obtained from a care computer, restricted to medical staff, including nurses. Schumacher’s long-time manager, Sabine Kehm, testified that she had harboured suspicions about the nurse before her departure in 2020.
One of the defendants, a nightclub bouncer, claimed to have received the files from Schumacher’s ex-security guard, who allegedly stole them during a burglary at his home. This bouncer and his son reportedly approached the Schumacher family with a blackmail demand before they were traced and arrested by police.
Despite the accusations, the security guard’s lawyer denied any involvement, asserting that the files may have been taken in the burglary.
Schumacher, now 55, continues to recover from his life-changing injuries sustained in the French Alps, with his wife, Corinna, dedicated to shielding him from public scrutiny. The family has kept his condition largely private, while the racing icon remains a legendary figure in the sport, holding the record for the most Formula 1 world titles, alongside Lewis Hamilton.
