Retired couple dead

Couple dead after shooting in Lower Austria!

(Bild: P. Huber)

Following the death of two pensioners on Wednesday in Matzendorf-Hölles (district of Wiener Neustadt), investigations are continuing at full speed on Thursday. According to the latest findings, the 74-year-old may have shot the 77-year-old woman first and then committed suicide. The possible motive for the crime: the illness of both of them. 

An extended suicide out of an act of desperation is considered increasingly likely on Thursday morning. The 74-year-old is believed to have first shot the 77-year-old with a small-caliber rifle and then committed suicide.

Autopsy ordered
"A possible motive for the crime could be the illness of both of them", explains police spokesman Raimund Schwaigerlehner. The public prosecutor's office in Wiener Neustadt ordered autopsies on Friday. A gunshot hand examination was also planned. 

Woman died in hospital
The two pensioners died on Wednesday in Matzendorf-Hölles (district of Wiener Neustadt) after being shot. The crime is believed to have occurred between 16:00 and 17:00. The two were found in a residential building with gunshot wounds, confirmed Stefan Pfandler, head of the Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation on Wednesday evening. "The man died on the spot, the woman succumbed to her injuries in hospital on Wednesday evening," he said. 

Pensioner legally owned gun
The 74-year-old and the woman, who was three years older, had lived together in a house. They were probably in a "life partnership", it was said.

The Lower Austrian State Office of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation. The crime scene work had already been completed on Thursday morning. "The weapon was seized", reported Schwaigerlehner. According to the police, the man possessed the gun legally. "Surrounding investigations are underway to investigate possible backgrounds", said the spokesman. Evidence was also being analyzed.

In Austria, women who experience violence can find help and information at the women's helpline at: 0800-222-555,www.frauenhelpline.at; at the Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters (AÖF) atwww.aoef.at, as well as at the women's shelter emergency hotline at 057722 and the Austrian violence protection centers: 0800/700-217,https://www.gewaltschutzzentrum.at/, at the police emergency hotline: 133, and in Lower Austria at the Lower Austrian women's hotline at 0800-800 810.

If you or someone close to you is in an exceptional psychological situation or is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the telephone counselling service on 142. You can find other crisis hotlines and emergency numbers HERE.