Once Germany surrendered on May 7th, 1945, it was time for Mengele to flee Germany from the Allies. Mengele headed west to avoid Soviet capture. Soon after, Mengele found himself in United States custody. Unaware that Mengele's name already had been on a list of wanted war criminals, US officials quickly released him. From the summer of 1945 until spring 1949. Mengele, under false papers, worked as a farmhand near Rosenheim, Bavaria. At that time, his family aided his emigration to South America. Mengele settled in Argentina. It is believed that Mengele died in Brazil on February 7th, 1979 , due to drowning as a result of a stroke while swimming there.

After the war