"He got the first shot"

Amok hunter’s car found in a wooded area

(Bild: Wenzel Markus/„Krone“, Polizei OÖ)

The getaway car of suspected double murderer Roland Drexler was found on Friday in a wooded area between Altenfelden and Arnreit in Mühlviertel (Upper Austria) following a tip from the public. A first concrete clue. No body was discovered - the police assume that the 56-year-old is still alive.

What a gloomy All Saints' Day in the Mühlviertel! Instead of a peaceful commemoration of the dead at the local cemeteries, the suspected double murderer Roland Drexler once again terrified everyone.

"Our community has never been so deserted on All Saints' Day," said a sad family watching the police activity in the center of Altenfelden from their window. "I was at my father's grave in the cemetery today, as I do every year. It was desolate, nobody was there," reports Johann K. (67). The All Saints' Day processions had been canceled in the municipalities of Altenfelden, Arnreit, Kirchberg ob der Donau and Neufelden - the situation was too uncertain.

Of course we have a bad feeling, but overall we don't feel unsafe. We check the media every day to find out what's new.

Juliane S. (21)

Bild: Wenzel Markus/Markus Wenzel

I was at my father's grave today. It was desolate, no one was there. I thought Drexler had already fled to the Czech Republic because he often went hunting there.

Johann K. (67)

Bild: Wenzel Markus/Markus Wenzel

It's unpleasant, but I'm not afraid. My three-year-old daughter sees that there are a lot of police there, but she doesn't ask any questions. I wouldn't know how to explain it to her.

Carmen K. (29)

Bild: Wenzel Markus/Markus Wenzel

On Friday, at around 9.30 a.m., the police received a call from a walker. He had discovered Drexler's car, which had been missing since Monday, in a wooded area between Altenfelden and Arnreit - precisely where he is said to have shot Franz Hofer, the mayor of Kirchberg ob der Donau and hunter Josef Hartl from Arnreit, on Monday because of a dispute over hunting. It is unclear whether Drexler himself or an accomplice drove the Caddy into the forest. It is just as unclear where the 56-year-old is now.

Darkness makes the search more difficult for the police
Around 250 officers from all over Austria, including 50 Cobra officers, spent the entire holiday searching the woodland, where, according to police spokesman Michael Babl, there are also several buildings and huts that could serve as hiding places. The town center of Altenfelden, where the operations center was located, was closed to traffic - a heavily armed police officer blocked off the entrance.

Wanted: Roland Drexler

(Bild: Wenzel Markus/LPD OÖ, Markus Wenzel, Krone KREATIV)

Current impressions from Altenfelden

(Bild: Wenzel Markus/Markus Wenzel)

Current impressions from Altenfelden

(Bild: APA/FOTOKERSCHI / APA / picturedesk.com)

Current impressions from Altenfelden

(Bild: Wenzel Markus/Markus Wenzel)

"Otherwise it would be too dangerous"
One by one, the emergency services worked their way through the forest - but as darkness fell, the police were forced to change their tactics. According to a spokesperson, they would only go into the forest near where the car was found in the dark if there was concrete evidence: "Otherwise it would be too dangerous at night." Work continued with thermal imaging cameras, and drones also circled over the Mühlviertel despite the darkness.

Sleep was out of the question: around 250 emergency services were deployed throughout the night in the hope that they would finally be able to relieve the whole country of the uncertainty surrounding the hunter on the rampage.

Great guesswork surrounding Drexler's whereabouts
People everywhere are currently puzzling: Where is Roland Drexler? The mayor of Altenfelden, Klaus Gattringer, expressed relief in an interview with the "Krone" that the car had been found, but the tension was still great. Johann K. from Altenfelden said: "I actually thought he had already fled to the Czech Republic because he often hunted there."

The "Krone" reported live - here are all the developments from November 1st:

Since Monday, an intensive search has been underway for the fugitive Roland Drexler, who is said to have pursued and killed two men in the Mühlviertel. It is still suspected that the motive may have been a dispute between hunters. Drexler is considered highly dangerous.

If you see Roland Drexler, follow these steps:

• Avoid contact: Drexler is considered highly dangerous and is armed with multiple weapons. It is strongly recommended that you do not make direct contact with him.
• Call 911: Inform the police immediately by dialing 911. Give as many details as possible, including his appearance and location.
• Go to safe places: Avoid being in the vicinity of Drexler. Go to a safe place and stay there until the police have clarified the situation.
• Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest information on the manhunt as the police will issue regular updates on the situation.
• Warn neighbors: If possible, inform others in your area about the situation so they can take precautions as well.

After several false alarms, the discovery of the car was the first concrete tip-off that the police were able to follow up. The mayor of Kirchberg ob der Donau - the first victim - was shot dead nearby. Investigators assume that the wanted man is still alive and still armed.