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Hospital patient ‘attempts to murder’ snorer

An 84-year-old patient in Mödling Hospital, Lower Austria, found the loud snoring of a man in the next room so intolerable that she tried to smother him with a pillow. A night nurse found her just in time and was able to save the 81-year-old man.

Published: 7 October 2014 09:35 CEST
Hospital patient 'attempts to murder' snorer
Hospital room. File photo: APA

Shortly after midnight the nurse heard a quiet whimpering sound from one of the rooms, and could hardly believe her eyes when she discovered the elderly woman bending over the other patient and holding a pillow over his face.

Only with some force was she able to pull the woman away and get her out of the room.

The woman has suspected dementia and told police that she “could not stand the man’s loud snoring”, according to a report in the Österreich newspaper.

The state prosecutor said she obviously did not know what she was doing, and has classed the incident as “coercion”, rather than attempted murder. There will be no police investigation into the incident. 

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CRIME

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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