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Austrian murder suspect extradited from US

A 22-year-old Austrian man suspected of murdering his mother has been extradited from the US back to Vienna.

Published: 13 November 2014 10:12 CET
Austrian murder suspect extradited from US
The apartments in Strasshof where the body was found. Photo: APA/Punz

After 70 days on the run he was arrested in a hostel near Portland, Oregon, in October after someone recognised him from a wanted poster.

Stefan W, from Strasshof in Lower Austria, is accused of having killed his mother in August or early September by stabbing her more than 30 times in the neck at the apartment they shared.

Her body had been stuffed inside a sofa bed and was not discovered until several weeks later by which time Stefan had fled the country, flying from Vienna to Atlanta, and arriving in the US on September 8th.

It’s not clear what his motive may have been for killing his mother.

Silvia Strasser, spokeswoman for Austrian Federal Police, said that the Portland authorities had been very helpful and had distributed leaflets about the search for the fugitive in motels, hostels, and casinos. 

Austria’s Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said the case was “a prime example of the professional cooperation between police units around the globe".

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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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