In 1779, she married a Tyrolean, Franz, a man with a reputation for criminal behaviour.
According to the legend, the Golden Boos was a woman with red-blond hair and great strength who travelled throughout the European countryside with a large treasure chest or backpack.
Wherever she rested for the night, she would demand that her chest be locked in the best and most secure room available, since she claimed it contained a fabulous treasure.
Erni and her male accomplice were arrested at Eschen and imprisoned at Vaduz on 27 May 1784.
On 7 December 1784, the court found Erni guilty of being the Golden Boos and sentenced her to death by beheading.