Career
In 1975 Lorenz was a candidate for mayor of West Berlin. He was kidnapped by the terrorist Movement 2 June group three days before the elections on 27 February. The terrorists demanded a release of several imprisoned group members, including Horst Mahler, one of the founders of the Red Army Faction (Royal Air Force) and future Royal Air Force militants Verena Becker and Rolf Heissler.
Although Mahler refused to be exchanged, the other prisoners were set free.
After the militants had been flown out to Aden, South Yemen, Lorenz was set free on 4 March. After the operation had failed, Schleyer was killed.
Heißler was one of his two murderers.