Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

CRIME

‘Euro Ripper’ may also have killed in Britain

A Polish serial killer who murdered and tortured an elderly couple in Austria may have carried out similar crimes while living in the UK.

Published: 30 November 2015 14:59 CET
'Euro Ripper' may also have killed in Britain
The house of the elderly Austrian couple K. murdered. Photo: LPD Wien

It’s thought that Dariusz Pawel K, 29, may have killed victims in six European countries over several years. He has been dubbed the ‘Euro Ripper’ by the British press.

He was arrested in Germany earlier this year and extradited to Austria where he confessed to the torture and murder of a 74-year-old woman and her husband in Vienna in May.

A drifter and career criminal, he told Austrian detectives he had also killed a Swedish pensioner the previous month.

K. is now in custody in Vienna, awaiting trial. He told detectives that an “inner voice” had told him to murder the elderly Austrian couple, whose bodies were discovered by their son. They had been battered and stabbed in a violent attack, and K. had daubed the word TANTAL on the woman’s naked body in paint.

In the latest development, an official report commissioned by the UK Home Office claims that K. lived in the UK for “several years” and detectives fear he committed “serious crimes” there.

There have also been reports of possible murders in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

“We are quite sure he has committed many more crimes and perhaps additional homicides,” Austrian police officers said in a report.

A spokesman for the state prosecutor said that if K. is found to have committed serious crimes in Britain he will not be extradited until he has served his sentence in Austria.

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.

SHOW COMMENTS