Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

CRIME

Shooter killed her family then lay down to die beside mother

An Austrian woman who shot and killed her mother, brother and her three young children, afterwards lay down beside her dead mother and shot herself, the police investigation has revealed.

Published: 5 December 2016 09:12 CET

Shooter killed her family then lay down to die beside mother

The family lived in this house since 2015. Photo: ORF

The corpses were discovered in the family's home in Böheimkirchen in Lower Austria on Thursday.

Detectives say that Martina R. (35) shot her family whilst they slept. It’s not clear why they didn’t wake up when they heard the shots. Martina’s mother (59) had recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Police say it’s possible that Martina R. killed her family on November 20th, and then shot herself some days later. Detectives believe that she had money worries, and was also involved in a dispute with the father of her children about his visitation rights.

The autopsy results are expected later this week.

Neighbours say that the family kept to themselves and were very quiet, and that even the children (a girl aged seven, and two boys aged nine and 10) didn’t socialise with their friends at home.

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.

Url copied to clipboard!